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August - September 2017
| VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica
O
n Friday, June 30, 2017 the University of
Technology, Jamaica signed a contract
agreement with Habitat for Humanity to provide
oversight for the administration and analysis of data
related to the Naggo Head Redevelopment Plan. This
plan is being executed under phase two of the Building
Resilience and Capacities against Emerging Disasters
(BRACED) Project.
The Project provides assistance to communities
that are vulnerable to natural hazards and disasters,
by improving the resilience of their infrastructure.
The geographic area included in the study is the
Naggo Head District which is part of the Portmore
Municipality, St. Catherine. UTech, Jamaica’s efforts
in this project are led by Dr. Carol Archer, Associate
Professor, Faculty of The Built Environment. Students
from the Faculty of The Built Environment have been
participating in the project through the administration
of surveys, conducting a health audit and preparation
of the transportation and economic development plan,
and community mapping.
T
he University of Technology, Jamaica through its Faculty of The Built
Environment is participating in a 3D project being implemented by
JAS in collaboration with the Trinityville Area Development Committee
Benevolent Society (TADCBS); Rural Agricultural Development Authority
(RADA) in St Thomas. The project is expected to benefit residents in St
Thomas though the implementation of 3D Model for Disaster Risks to
reduce loss of crops, livestock and homes, such as the damage caused by
flood rains in March and April of this year.
A total of 6,000 residents in 12 farming communities, including Hillside,
Somerset and Fonthill in Trinityville, St Thomas, are expected to benefit,
Janet Finnikin, manager of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) for the
parish of St Thomas, said.
The model which is expected to help fill the information and knowledge
gaps related to disaster risks in Trinityville was showcased at the Denbigh
Agricultural Show held in Clarendon in August 2017.
“This participatory 3D model approach has empowered community
members to actively explore and pinpoint the disaster risks on the 3D virtual
and physical maps,” Finnikin stated. “We initiated the research in July,
as community members, guided representatives of JAS, TADCBS, RADA,
and UTech students and lecturers through the disaster-prone areas of the
12 districts in Trinityville. The team from UTech facilitated the mapping of
geographic coordinates; and, along with the residents, identified mitigation
and adaptation solutions which have been included in this 3D model
initiative,” Finnikin explained.
UTech, Jamaica Signs Agreement with Habitat for
Humanity to Build Community Resilience in Naggo
Head, Portmore
St Thomas Residents to Benefit from Disaster Risk Project
Dr. Paulette Griffiths (3rd left), Project Manager, Habitat for Humanity, Jamaica and Prof. Stephen
Vasciannie, CD (right), President, UTech, Jamaica shake hands following the signing of the Agreement
between the two institutions. Participating in the signing from left, are Dr. Garfield Young, Dean, Faculty of
The Built Environment, Mrs. Michelle Beckford, Corporate Communications Manager, UTech, Jamaica who
witnessed the signing and Dr. Carol Archer, Associate Professor, Faculty of the Built Environment.
Rudolph Downer participates in the construction of the 3D Model for Disaster Risk
Management Project at the Faculty of The Built Environment (FOBE), University of
Technology, Jamaica while Madison Powell, student, FOBE provides guidance.