Reforming spatial planning in anglophone Caribbean countries

Spatial planning in the anglophone Caribbean has lost its appeal having failed to deliver on its promises. Unsuccessful master plans, approval delays, numerous appeals and weak enforcement of regulations result from tensions generated by planning, democracy and capitalism practices. Additionally, regulatory and legislative reforms are insufficient to yield improvements, and therefore politicians, the public and investors do not hold planning in high esteem. This paper first provides an analysis of the drivers of a dysfunctional planning system and then offers a conceptual framework consisting of a blend of market, regulatory and behavioural change instruments along with new technologies that present an opportunity to craft planning systems in the anglophone Caribbean into becoming more innovative and responsive to citizens’ needs. Empirical evidence is drawn from Trinidad.