Seychelles’ new strategic plan taken to next level |20 January 2015

Representatives of the Ministry of Land Use and Habitat (MLUH) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council are meeting other partners to discuss the Seychelles Strategic Plan and Victoria Master Plan in the second ‘charette’ or workshop of discussion.

The workshop, being held at the International Conference Centre (ICCS), will last four days when the preferred growth strategy will be confirmed.

The ‘charette’ was held in the presence of the Minister for Land Use and Habitat Christian Lionnet, Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development Idith Alexander, Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment Pierre Laporte, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council representative Ahmed Al Kuwaiti, the director of ARUP (the contracted UK-based consultancy firm) Christopher Tunnel, members of the National Assembly, MLUH and planning authority officials, among other guests.

The workshop is aimed at assessing growth scenarios which include population, transport, resilience, development, community facilities, environment, agriculture, tourism and utilities; securing consensus on proposed growth strategy which highlights what growth goes where, meaning detecting the best possible location where development or growth can take place; developing topic framework plans and understand their policy implications and agreeing on the key issues component for the Victoria Master Plan.

In his speech to launch the discussions, Minister Lionnet said that in May 2014, ARUP, a UK-based independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists was contracted after an extensive procurement process to help the Seychelles government through the Seychelles Planning Authority and the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council in developing a vision for Seychelles. This was an initiative of the two leaders – President James Michel and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The same year the initial findings of the consultants were presented to a large group of stakeholders during the first workshop where it was understood the necessity for a strategic plan for Seychelles – a framework plan for Mahé and a Victoria Master Plan.

He congratulated everyone on the simple but far-reaching vision and guiding principles from which the ‘charette’ will consolidate.

“A comprehensive and collaborative approach is critical in developing a plan that is both ambitious yet deliverable and in your active participation that will form and shape this plan,” said Minister Lionnet.

Referring to last year’s national theme ‘Seychelles – a determined island state’, Minister Lionnet said the implementation of such a strategic plan is in itself a reflection of the theme and a shared vision for the future of Seychelles.

“This year the head of state has declared the national theme simply and profoundly “I Love Seychelles” – this strengthens my statement further and it is hoped that this theme motivates us all to the formulation of the new strategic plan of Seychelles towards a finalisation of the framework plan, strategic plan and a master plan for Victoria,” said the minister, adding that this motto helps them to think outside the box and as a Seychellois for the love of this God-given treasure – the Seychelles.

“I emphasise that this plan is for Seychelles and for our own Seychellois people, and it is important that we lay emphasis on diversifying economic growth and classification, striking a balance between the pressing need of environmental protection and availability of land for residential and economic uses, preserving and enhancing the cultural heritage of Victoria and the socio-cultural aspect of the people of Seychelles.”

“Inclusivity is key to a successful plan,” said the minister, referring to the sessions that are being organised at community level across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue to offer the opportunity for the community to take part in the making of the plan. The sessions will start on Saturday January 24 and will continue until Tuesday February 3. He urged all Seychellois to be involved.

As for Mr Al Kuwaiti, he confirmed the full support of the Abu Dhabi government and said much of the research, analysis and assessment that will guide the discussions to draw a framework plan for Seychelles’ future have been completed.

He also thanked MLUH and the planning authority for the great work in leading this project.
“Today with the commitment of all in the room, we are moving in the right direction to develop a plan that will make Seychelles confidently proud as it moves forward,” he said.

As for Mr Tunnel, he explained how his firm has developed their strategy from the last ‘charette’ into strategic actions of yesterday’s one – how the vision can be devlopped and the growth scenarios implemented.