A Port-au-Prince that looks modern

English version (translation):

Part of downtown Port-au-Prince 80% destroyed by the earthquake of January 12, 2010 could soon be transformed into a modern city. To believe the Minister of Economy and Finance, Ronald Baudin, architects and town planners are working on the design of a pilot at the bottom perimeter of the city before expanding the geographical scope of this project era .


Haiti: Land of green spaces, public buildings overlooking seafront, major hotels and apartment complexes, a system of power 24/24, guaranteed safety, road signs organized, adequate circulation, pedestrian streets, are among other elements of the "new" downtown Port-au-Prince. "We will ensure that this is all organized by guaranteeing the minimum," says Minister of Economy and Finance, Ronald Baudin met in his office this Monday, June 7, 2010.

"We will do differently from what has been done before 12 January. Before, we tended to give back to the sea, so that we have a chance to have a view on the sea now we are going to restore facing the sea, "says the boss of the Ministry of Finance. He stressed that the various ministries and public offices that were destroyed will be built on this area whose boundaries are not indicated. "We will ensure that there is a physical proximity between the offices of the State. This is not because the Department of Agriculture is responsible for its headquarters must be outside the city. It is also a policy department, "he says.

According to Ronald Baudin, for the realization of such a project will require the collaboration of the private sector is "very important" in this process. Banks and other private companies, he said, who lost almost all their seats in the lower city, will certainly need a new presence. In this sense, spaces, "the minister said, will be reserved for private sector initiatives.

"We lost 60% of hotel rooms in the metropolitan area. Already, they were not sufficient and with this huge reconstruction market, there will be a lot of needs with the strong presence of NGOs. In this sense, we must build new ones and we will do everything possible to ensure that it is done in order and as quickly as possible, "reassured the minister.

In fact, the Haitian State Treasury through the public, private financial institutions and the international community, said the minister, are the main sources of funding for this project which will cost over a billion dollars in investment. Apparently determined to accelerate the process, Mr. Baudin has even said that this can be achieved without the contribution of the international community. "The project is a desire by the government, he said. With or without the international community, we will achieve. But I have no doubt that the international community will support, "he says.


What residents of downtown?

"People expect that their capital is rebuilt. We will not exclude people from the city center but we must be aware that this is a city that is 80% destroyed, and the state has an obligation to rebuild, "said the minister. He will do with all stakeholders, including also the people who know the history of the city's heritage. What little is left as heritage downtown, we must save it, "he said.

In regard to the slums surrounding the city, the Minister of Finance indicates that this problem can be solved as and when. "The areas populated, it is not inevitable, said the minister. It is enough that large social housing projects. There will be as a replacement of slums with decent neighborhoods, "he said.

Without excluding residents of the lower city, Baudin Ronald appealed to the conscience of all citizens of countries not to undermine the (re) construction of the country. The minister would not rule out that land could be declared of public utility in the context of this project. In that time, there will be expropriation for public purposes.

For now, a multispectral committee comprising the Central Bank governor, the mayor of Port-au-Prince, the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (TPTC) for drainage works to activate the implementation of this dream. By August, said Minister of Finance, the Central Bank will launch its project to build the convention center.

"This is a first step towards modernity of our capital, welcomed the boss of the Ministry of Finance.

http://www.lenouvelliste.com/article.php?PubID=1&ArticleID=80285&PubDate=2010-06-07