Two months ago, the latest City of Hamilton Plan was tabled and debated in the House of Assembly, with broad support achieved across the political spectrum. With that said it is time to get real about transforming Hamilton into a vibrant city that Bermudians can be proud of. In my view, we need to prioritize some key initiatives that will make our city a great place to live, work, and visit. Here are just some ideas to spark conversation.
- Pedestrianisation. Closing off certain streets to traffic, like Burnaby Street (from Church to Front), Reid Street (from Burnaby to Queen), and Court Street (from Victoria to Angle) will make our city more walkable and bikeable. It’s time to take back our streets and make them people-friendly! This will not only improve the aesthetic appeal of our city but also promote a healthier and more active lifestyle for nine to fivers and increase appeal for residential builds.
- Creating more green spaces. This would involve converting parking lots on Front Street into green spaces with a walkway from Pier 6 to Albouy’s Point – it would be a game-changer. This would help make our city a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Green spaces also help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce air pollution, and promote biodiversity. To replace parking, a multistory lot could be built on the existing Cavendish Road lot and Bull’s Head could be heightened. Park and Rides could be developed creating job opportunities for entrepreneurs.
- Public art. Let’s continue to showcase Bermuda’s culture and history through public art installations. This will add some much-needed character to our City and make it a more interesting place to visit. Public art can also serve as a catalyst for community engagement and social interaction.
- Mixed-Use Development. We need to encourage more mixed-use zoning to create a lively and diverse downtown atmosphere. This will support local businesses and make our city more vibrant. Mixed-use development can also promote a sense of community and reduce the need for lengthy commutes.
- Building Higher. I’ve said before this is important, and the City Plan makes it clear that height restrictions are lifted. So, let’s build higher, but make sure our infrastructure can support it. We want to preserve natural areas and promote efficient use of land. By building higher we can create more housing options, including affordable housing, and reduce the pressure on our natural environment. Building higher can also help to reduce urban sprawl and promote more efficient use of resources.
- Flexible Ground Floors. Designing ground floors with flexibility in mind will allow for a range of uses and adaptations over time. This will keep our city fresh and exciting, and enable businesses to adapt to changing market conditions.
- Go Green. We should consider using sustainable materials in urban construction and implement energy-efficient lighting. This will reduce our city’s environmental footprint and create a more sustainable future. Sustainable practices can also help to reduce energy costs and promote a healthier environment. This can include Incorporating green infrastructure, like rain gardens and native plantings, will help manage stormwater runoff and promote biodiversity. This can be achieved by requiring empty lots to be turned into green spaces (such as the old Police Station).
- Implementing city rangers. City rangers can address low-level offenses like public urination and loitering, which can be an effective way to maintain public safety and order. They would patrol parks, reserves, and city-owned buildings to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations, issue fines or warnings to individuals who engage in low-level offenses including those related to street trading, busking, and abandoned vehicles.
The City of Hamilton Council has, over the years, done its very best to implement many of these strategies but, in many instances, their efforts have been thwarted by bureaucracy, a lack of legislation implementing the plans, and a lack of central government desire and interference. A major waterfront redevelopment, whilst needed, is not immediately required to reinvigorate our city.
By prioritizing these initiatives, we can create a more vibrant and sustainable Hamilton that showcases the best of Bermuda. Let’s do it!
