The Town and Country Planning Division (TCPD) has said it is actively engaged in developing land use policies for communities across Trinidad and Tobago and for the month of August will be undertaking a Land and Building Use Survey in the community of Mausica Road, Mausica.
This survey forms part of the process to update the land use policy specific to this area and is being conducted in accordance with the legal provisions laid out in the Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 35:01 of 1969.
During the period starting August 8 to 26, officers of the TCPD will be doing a plot-by-plot assessment of Mausica Road. Officers will be engaged in exercises which include the completion of data forms, updating of maps and photography of physical spaces within the community. The Town and Country Planning Division anticipates the support and cooperation of all members of public in this exercise.
This survey, the TCPD said, seeks to determine current land use, types of activities, number of buildings, in addition to other information pertinent to land use in the area.
It said the survey is born out of the need for micro policies to guide land development in Trinidad and Tobago and intends to inform policy review activities, including but not limited to policies related to road networks, traffic patterns and socio-economic needs of the residents in communities across Trinidad and Tobago.
In 2021, the TCPD undertook land use policy upgrades for Port of Spain through an updated Hierarchy of Settlements Relating to Building Heights and other Development Standards.
This focused on residential and commercial development; site coverage, which determines the maximum area of a site which may be covered by a building; increased bedroom densities; a reduction in lot sizes; greater allowances for building heights and number of floors among other variables.
Planning and Development Minister Penelope Beckles has emphasised the importance of this activity, especially for the collection of important data associated with land use and physical development in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Minister adds that this survey contributes to Government’s drive towards achieving the goals of Trinidad and Tobago’s national Development Strategy, Vision 2030, through Theme 3, ‘Improving productivity through quality infrastructure and transportation’. This exercise also connects to sustainable development goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.