It is great to feel good about living in Paradise. Being blessed by Papa God by the beauty of the Nature provided to the Vanuatu’s People and its visitors.
It is the responsibility of the People and its leaders to acknowledge the great conditions of the Capital City Port Vila, in comparison with other cities in the Region. Vanuatu should proudly consider that, despite of the population growth, the city is yet in good conditions to be managed to preserve its Paradise features.
89%. is the share of urban population that live within 3Km radius from Port Vila CBD. The highest in all South Pacific Cities. A great potential to promote infrastructure that allows active means of transportation (eg. walking, use of wheelchairs, bicycles, scooters,…) that combines well with the development of corridors of green areas, planting of trees, with little investment in compatible paths that can be sharable with all types active means of transportation.
Vanuatu is too good to identify and verbalize what needs to be done to protect the environment and improve the Wellbeing of its People. These statements have great power, not only to educate and motivate us for action, but also to inspire other communities around the World to reflect on difficult challenges to ensuring the that we all are able to life with Clean Air, Clean Water and a Clean Environment, while “improving live conditions”.
Felling collectively motivated is very important, but it is essential to pursue the collective feeling of being proud in the Capital of Paradise and turn it into real ACTION. Posting pictures of cruise ships in Paradise may makes proud of being loved but may not be enough to make Save the Paradise. The Capital City is more than the front yard Fatumaru Bay… There is a backyard with the neglected Erakor Lagoons that needs attention.
It is crucial to ensure that the positive energy related with discussions about the Environment and Wellbeing in the Paradise into immediate action. The Port Vila Urban Greening Masterplan started with an interesting approach that appeared to be a genuine interest to hear directly from the Population, Businesses and their concerns about living in Port Vila.
The effort of putting together an on-line open survey to request ideas to the population on the future of Port Vila, despite of the potential exclusion of those who may not have access to technology, was a commendable. Congratulations to the leadership of the Department of Urban Planning from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the authority responsible for the Plan.
Many individuals, and particularly active environmental groups embrace the opportunity given, and responded to the survey providing suggestions to the Plan. The process seemed interesting and well organised. It was funded by the international development partners.
The process culminated with a consultation with selected stakeholders – probably the same in all topics related to environment, wellbeing, climate change – mostly representing government authorities and, as usually, they met in a hotel conference – with air conditioner and water served in plastic bottles – to discuss the way forward to “Save the Beautiful and Green Port Vila”.
It was great that the conference was broadcasted life online so interested individuals could observe the interesting discussions. This process really created positive expectations to those who appreciated the amazing natural conditions of the Capital City of Port Vila, particularly when comparing it with other capital cities of South Pacific. Everything seemed great and “sustainable solutions” were coming very soon to assist to sustain the beautiful capital city of Vanuatu.
Some of us were all imagine and dreaming with a Vision of Green, Clean, Livable Port Vila, where people could breath Clean Air, Clean Water, Clean Land and People could share with other creatures – insects, birds, flowers, fish – the use of natural areas in a sustainable way.
Again, these sort of activities make the residents proud of Vanuatu, and attracts others in the region to appreciate the regional leadership of this small country in Environmental, Wellbeing and Climate Change initiatives: VANUATU.
A University from Australia will specifically bring students to study Port Vila Urban Greening Masterplan: We will explore how an urban greening strategy was developed for Port Vila, the capital of the Republic of Vanuatu. During a three day intensive orientation workshop, followed by a two week field study tour of Port Vila, you will learn about the social, environmental and economic drivers of change in Port Vila.
This is great! But, since 2022, for some reason that doesn’t seem to be ICT capacity, the Plan is not yet Public or available in the government of Vanuatu authorities’ websites.
At least, there will be a chance to get a first assessment of the implementation of the Plan by Australian Students. There will be an opportunity to address the progress of its implementation.
Canopy loss from 2020 to 2024
Without coordination and lack of communication between authorities, it is easier to think the only way to have solar energy generated by the Sun is to cut trees. So, either you have light or clean air, water and biodiversity?! Ironic, it seems that this is the reality of the Country that Declared Climate Emergency.
Investing in Education is essential to prevent radical decisions like this. That, with all good will to improve wellbeing is killing trees.
The Urban Greening Port Vila Plan provides interesting recommendations. Such as considering that the Capital exists form rather than just Cars, People and Nature.
Reinforce the ceremonial and sporting significance; create small scale spaces for family gatherings. Identify opportunities for enhancing water quality improvements.
Enhance the national significance through planting of trees that represent Vanuatu’s natural and cultural history.
Prepare a feasibility study into the development of a national arboretum.
Improve pedestrian access through the precinct and to the CBD and Lini Highway. Please consider Bicycles and Wheel Chairs. Bicycles can share footpaths too.
Develop a register of significant trees on public land in Tagabe and prepare a management plan.
Identify opportunities for road crossings and traffic calming devices to improve pedestrian safe movement across the road and at intersections. Bicycle and bicycle lanes calm the traffic while creating opportunities to develop green spaces.
Identify significant trees for protection from damage or removal.
Identify opportunities to plant trees to improve connectivity.
Prepare detailed landscape design for the Conference Centre.
Map and document areas of high conservation value and designate conservation status. Do not ignore Erakor Lagoon, Please.
Members of the Vanuatu Cycling Federation participated actively in the survey to the Port Vila Greening Master Plan provide some inputs and ideas to promote active mobility initiatives – walking, manual wheel chairing, kick-scooting, skateboarding, skating, running, and cycling, that usually combine with the planning of green areas.
When developing a public policy consultation process the members of the Vanuatu Cycling Federation were eager to get access to the Port Vila Greening Master Plan and contacted with various individuals who participated in the consultation: Municipality, Department of Environment, USP, VCAN, National Advisory Board, Ministry of Climate Change, etc.. None were able to provide a copy. Eventually, a development partner who funded the process was kind enough and shared a copy. Considering the challenges of getting a copy of the document, we are hoping that the Plan is not a secret, and we is ok to share it here with all that may be interested in the urban development of the Capital of Paradise.
Active mobility, development of cycling lanes to slow down traffic and develop green areas and suggestions related with the improvement of Erakor Lagoon green areas in the margins are not mentioned in the greening masterplan. Despite of some suggestions provided in the survey so People could benefit from active commuting associated with development of significant green areas and areas dedicated to tree plating following 10 Kilometers of a safe footpath for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchairs.
Port Vila Urban Greening Master Plan – Digital
The plan is clearly more focused on visitors coming from the airport or cruise ship – Fatumary Bay – rather than daily commuters that enter in the city from Teoma or Erakor side. The Erakor Lagoon is not even mentioned. Observing these areas being ignored, it may shows a subtle vision that Port Vila City has a main door – airport, cruise ship and Fatumary Bay – and a backdoor – daily commuters from Teoma, Erakor, and the Erakor Lagoons, where the solid and water waste goes. The green area from Korman to USP is also not mentioned in the Plan.
It seems strange that after the significant and well organized consultation, with online survey, workshop and live streaming the plan is not yet publicly available, which promotes an existential doubt that the Plan may not exist or is not official. On the other hand the University of Sunshine Coast will bring 15 Participants to study the Plan before the end of 2024, so it must be real.
A clear concern of the Plan is to advocate for the need for Port Vila to have a Plan. And that is understandable because words like “Development” or even concepts such as “Improving Living conditions” are very subjective concepts, particularly in Paradise.
What does it mean?! Economic growth, Jobs, Foreign investment to allow the increase public revenue, so needed to allow the necessary investments in Sanitation, Health, Education…?!
Improving livability to who? Tourists or Local People?
Subjectiveness of the concepts allows a very broad range of solutions that may mean Port Vila Development based of the hard core concrete buildings and car centric development or, on the other hand, a development that is focused on preserving the positive natural assets of an urban environment that contributes to minimize pollution, improve the livability in the Capital City and promoting pleasant foot paths where people are encourage to walk or cycling combating NCDs and reducing the carbon footprint.
The fact that the Plan is not available is detrimental to Port Vila as introduces pedagogically important concepts that People may not be use to recognize. For example, the concepts of: Green Infrastructure – recognises that natural vegetation and assets such as waterways and forests provide an economic benefit to a city either through improving the quality of the environment or by reducing the costs of managing urban infrastructure.
(…) by developing a strategic urban tree planting and management plan, the worst effects of urban heating can be alleviated through increased shading. Those same trees can help to reduce air pollutants from vehicle emissions and dust. Trees are also habitat for local birds, bats and insects that are important for biodiversity conservation. A well-managed urban forest can also help to reduce water contamination from storm run-off. Urban wetlands help to remove nutrients and heavy metals that damage marine life from washing into the sea. Like urban forests, wetlands can also improve biodiversity, and cool the surrounding areas. Above all well planned and managed green infrastructure makes the city more pleasant, attractive and enjoyable to live in.
(…) Residents and workers who enjoy a healthy green home or workplace are more productive and are less likely to be mentally or physically unwell.
As the capital city of Vanuatu, well designed and managed urban parks, streets and public spaces enhance the reputation of Vanuatu as a green and healthy destination for tourists and investors.
The Plan provides important information regarding a sequence of pieces of regulations and public policy development that impacts Port Vila urban planning and development.
1975 Foreshore Development Act Cap 90
1979 Vanuatu Constitution was drafted
1980 Vanuatu gained Independence. Constitution defines that all land belongs to custom owners.
1980 National Land Policy- defines 3 categories of land: urban, rural & public.
1986 Physical Planning Act Cap 193
2001 Forestry Act
2002 Environment Management & Conservation Act
2005 National Self Reliance Summit
2006 National Land Summit- resolved with 20 Resolutions.
2007 Review of Land Sector
2009 Vanuatu Land Program- AUSAid funded initiative that supported many land reforms
2013 Constitutional Amendment /Land Leases Amendment Act /Legalise the LMPC /
2013 Repeal of Land Tribunal Act & replace with Customary Land Management Act Cap 23
2013 National Land Use Policy- with a proposal for review in 2017
2017 National Water Policy
2019 National Subdivision Policy
2020 Establishment of Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP)
2022 Port Vila Urban Greening Master Plan (hopefully with value, despite of not available)
It seems clear that both the National Government and Municipality are well motivated to generate revenue. But without the Port Vila Urban Greening Master Plan available, it seems that the focus is raising revenue based on property taxes and not on penalties to those who cut trees that are full ecosystems that preserve urban biodiversity.
At the moment, any tree can be cut, at any moment, by anyone, without any disincentive. Apart from the Public Outcry that is progressing fading while wetlands and trees are dying arround Port Vila.
In the Capital City of Paradise, trees are not seen as Ecosystems, that provide services to the community and other species. It seems that humans of Port Vila are not considering that it is a privileged to be part ecosystem of Paradise: How many tones of Mangos and other fruits the People of Capital are benefiting freely over the past years? Birds and other creatures benefit from the trees as shelter.
Fruit trees are important for food security for humans as flowers are important for insects that pollinize the flowers of the fruit trees. BUT, in the Capital of Paradise there is a Grasscutter worship that is preventing flowers to grow and insects to live.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Itww5p1KxY
Wild flowers are not welcomed to Port Vila, and because of that they, the birds and the insects are constantly tortured and tormented by the fossil fueled and worshiped in Paradise grasscutters. Some people cannot hear the birds and even other people because of the noise pollution of the grasscutters.
In a global warming context, Humans have free coolers provided by trees’ shade. How “cool” is to enjoy some shade at sea front and storian with friends? And how good would be to walk and pick fruit and eat it while walking in the Capital of Paradise. The Youth of Erakor Bridge have no property of land, but are eager to connect with Land and proposed to the Port Vila Town Planning Committee, 2021, to plant fruit trees to the Municipality and have an arboretum of indigenous fruit trees and plants at Korman and the green area till USP. The idea was accepted,…reluctantly. Youth requested assistance on provision of fruit trees from department of forest but were told that was not a good idea… Food security is linked with climate Resiliance.
Every week there are majestic trees in Port Vila put down. Because trees do not pay taxes, it is probably more financially interesting cut them, and build concrete ugly buildings. Cut all the trees around, no matter how big or rare the tree are a good way to make revenue, and prevent evictions?!…
Green Infrastructure providing Clean Air, Clean Water and Clean Land but do not generate revenue.
The Plan mentioned the importance of Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is “the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services to help people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change”. A report named Planning for Ecosystem-based adaptation eba-port-vila-vanuatu also seems to suffer some reluctances to be accepted despite of all consultations, surveys and workshops.
As the Port Vila Urban Greening Masterplan is not – (conveniently?) – available publicly, trees have been radically disappearing in Port Vila defying the purpose of the Plan.
PHOTOS OF CANOPY DESTRUCTION (since the Plan was discussed)1
Increase canopy cover
Port Vila is a green city, its natural climate and low density layout is suitable for growing trees and gardens, particularly in residential areas. However, there are significant opportunities to improve the density and connectivity of trees within the Plan areas of interest. The landscape analysis identified significant opportunities for increasing planting of street trees along the Wharf road and the Lini Highway and parts of the CBD and Seafront. To achieve
this target, the Plan recommends Appoint an urban forester in the Department of Forestry. The agency with the expertise, resources and policy framework for managing the Port Vila
urban forest is the Department of Urban Forestry. The aim of this appointment will include interagency cooperation and oversight of amendments to Forestry Act to protect and enhance urban trees.
Undertake a detailed tree audit and registry of significant trees in selected areas. Developing a baseline understanding of the existing urban forest will allow agencies to develop specific targets for increasing the urban forest canopy.
Amendment of the Forestry Act to include provisions for regulating removing, cutting or damaging of trees in designated urban areas. Including provisions for the Forestry department to evaluate applications from lease holders to cut or remove trees is a simple approach to weighting up the merits of a lease holders claim to remove a tree in target areas.
The amendments should allow for the forestry department to;
• Refuse permission to remove a tree
• Allow for pruning of a tree
• Permit the removal of a tree
• Mandate replacement plantings to compensate the loss of canopy.
Establishing annual tree planting targets for PVMC and Shefa provincial government for selected areas with support from the Department of Forestry, the agencies can be incentivized to meet tree planting targets in selected areas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Itww5p1KxY
PUBLIC OPINION
Both the surveys and the Facebook page allowed stakeholders to make specific comments on the project. (…)
– The important role that trees play in Port Vila was a strong message from the community. Trees provide shade and in doing so, help cool the city during the hottest months. They are also attractive and give people a sense of well-being and pride in Port Vila as a green and attractive city.
Concern was expressed about the lack of controls or regulations around the removal of trees along major road corridors and in retail areas. The plan will develop a strategic approach to planting and maintaining trees within the study area…
VERSUS REALITY
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14 MAJESTIC NABANGA TREES GONE (2015) It could have been an amazing community picnic spot. Now a dumpsite, fuel station and construction site to improve a car centric development model.
Life should not be a choice between Jobs or Environment.
Is should not be a choice of using urban spaces for Cars or People, or Green or Concrete, or having Trees or cut a tree to build a car park or install a solar light.
A road build after a “roads plan” that doesn’t consider broader needs of road users (People, active means of transportation, natural ecosystems, green space, utilities companies, sanitation needs, etc.) may put the road in danger as a utilities company may come dig a hole to install a pipe and destroy the concrete and tar and the stability of the road.
An urban plan should be give the big picture to all the other detailed plans, including, zoning (industrial, residential, commercial, roads, sanitation,…). For example, Safe Sanitation seems to be consistently forgotten in any urban planning exercise and has a high cost to the public health system.
Planning multiple layers of the “big plan” in isolation, may destroy the integrity of “layer” previous planed.
To make it more complicated, the motivation to plan a “layer of the big plan” comes with different emphasis in funding. Planning is associated with going to a workshop / planning session in a hotel with air conditioner, catering and sometimes, on top of it traveling to a remote island for few days.
Some “layers of the big plan” includes the funding to plan and implement the infrastructure. So, a plan without funding to implement it is less attractive. The Greening Port Vila Master Plan, doesn’t seems to have funding to plant tree or “increase 30% of the tree canopy” as stated as the primary expected outcome. So, the Greening Plan is “not a very attractive plan”. In fact, since then no trees have been planted and many trees disappeared to implement a solar lighting initiative – funded but, apparently without a coordinated “Solar Light Plan” behind it. The Greater Port Vila resilience project had enough resources for a planning session in a remote area, including flights and accommodation for few days and also included funding for the infrastructure.
The climate finance may be dangerous if not spend in a coordinated way: When there is excess money in the climate crisis industry, it becomes very hard to MITIGATE (reduce carbon emissions) to implement ADAPTATION strategies.
So, the Greening Port Vila Master Plan become not so important and a car park become essential in the space of a tree that was provided shade and shelter to sustain biodiversity needed to go…
Unlike building roads, installation solar lights, shelters with car parks, other forms of ‘concrete development’, planting trees, protecting the wetlands and sanitation are not perceived seen as enablers of the economy in Paradise.
And, yes climate financing need a deeper thinking before causing harm with unintending consequences.
There are obviously sensible ways to Live with respect with Nature and People, Cars, Jobs, Revenue and Proud of protecting the Last Paradise on Earth and the keep the #1 position in the Happy Planet Index…
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