Dear Editor,
Ni Hao. I am writing from the exciting city of Shanghai, China, where I was invited to attend a seminar on urban planning for Caribbean and South Pacific countries. The course was sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and organised by the Shanghai Education and Training Centre of Commerce.
I am told that, just over 50 years ago, the Chinese Government started implementing a comprehensive urban development plan for Shanghai. Since then, the city — 60 per cent of the size of Jamaica — has grown into a modern metropolis that houses over 24 million people, most of whom work in the booming trade and finance industries. With a subway network, high-speed railways, thousands of high-rise buildings, and the world's busiest container port, Shanghai bears little resemblance to the fishing village it was in the 1960s.
A common theme among the presentations at the seminar is that 'the transformation of Shanghai didn't happen by chance'. Instead, the Chinese Government made long-term plans for economic growth, which were supported by sustainable infrastructure goals, in areas such as housing, energy, water supply and transportation.
While speaking about the development plan for the city, a senior Chinese engineer said something incredibly profound. He said: "Life should support production." Therefore, decisions for infrastructure and social development are made with the specific intention to support the local economic strategy. This prevents situations where business-focused areas are formed without adequate supporting residential infrastructure, such as housing, transportation and water, for workers in the area. I strongly believe that if Jamaica were to employ a similar strategy it could go a far way in the reduction of unemployment, squatting, utility theft, and other crimes.
The rapid realisation of such an incredible vision for Shanghai is truly amazing. A young Shanghainese lady told me she saw Shanghai develop "before her eyes". The fact that this could be accomplished in such a short time renews my hope for Jamaica. If we get it right, there is no justifiable reason our Jamaican youth can't also reap the rewards of our labour.
Stephen Edwards
Shanghai, China
patriot.ja@gmail.com
Rome wasn't built in a day; what of Ja?
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Ni Hao. I am writing from the exciting city of Shanghai, China, where I was invited to attend a seminar on urban planning for Caribbean and South Pacific countries. The course was sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and organised by the Shanghai Education and Training Centre of Commerce.
I am told that, just over 50 years ago, the Chinese Government started implementing a comprehensive urban development plan for Shanghai. Since then, the city — 60 per cent of the size of Jamaica — has grown into a modern metropolis that houses over 24 million people, most of whom work in the booming trade and finance industries. With a subway network, high-speed railways, thousands of high-rise buildings, and the world's busiest container port, Shanghai bears little resemblance to the fishing village it was in the 1960s.
A common theme among the presentations at the seminar is that 'the transformation of Shanghai didn't happen by chance'. Instead, the Chinese Government made long-term plans for economic growth, which were supported by sustainable infrastructure goals, in areas such as housing, energy, water supply and transportation.
While speaking about the development plan for the city, a senior Chinese engineer said something incredibly profound. He said: "Life should support production." Therefore, decisions for infrastructure and social development are made with the specific intention to support the local economic strategy. This prevents situations where business-focused areas are formed without adequate supporting residential infrastructure, such as housing, transportation and water, for workers in the area. I strongly believe that if Jamaica were to employ a similar strategy it could go a far way in the reduction of unemployment, squatting, utility theft, and other crimes.
The rapid realisation of such an incredible vision for Shanghai is truly amazing. A young Shanghainese lady told me she saw Shanghai develop "before her eyes". The fact that this could be accomplished in such a short time renews my hope for Jamaica. If we get it right, there is no justifiable reason our Jamaican youth can't also reap the rewards of our labour.
Stephen Edwards
Shanghai, China
patriot.ja@gmail.com
Rome wasn't built in a day; what of Ja?
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