1 Taylor Jenks GEOG 340 Case Study November 18th, 2013 The Upside of Character: The Struggles facing

Belmopan as a Planned Capital At 43 years young, Belmopan city has and continues to face its fair share of adversity. With a colonial past, environmental devastation and an inundation of development promptings, Belize as a country has turned to its newest capital as a way forward. Formed in 1970 just 11 years before independence, Belmopan lacks the historical footprint that many capitals cities around the world have so deeply embedded in them; but this doesnt mean its roots dont show up now and again in its development (Kearns, 1973 p.2). The question is, whether its entirely plannedcity maturation will appeal to the hearts and minds of the Belizean population enough to spark a transitional move. To separate them from a coastal lowland in the heart of hurricane country, lacking adequate services and room to grow, you wouldnt think would take much; but the identity acquired through their history leaves the alternative, sterile blank slate of Belmopan undesirable, as it struggles to make its presence known on the national and world stages (Brown, 1981, no page). A Mucky History Belmopan as a Capital city has little history that would help describe its form and function, but Belize as a territory and the former inhabitants have a rich and tumultuous story that will provide insight into the capitals current situation. Belmopan is established almost directly in the center of Belize, just at the base of the Maya mountains, and above the coastal swampy plains; territory that until their sudden disappearance, belonged to Mayan civilizations (Wernecke, 1994).

Figure 1: Belize [Map] Although contact was made earlier, the first Spanish settlers were said to have first inhabited Belize year round in the 1670s, with the enticement of forest resources in the area (Belmopan City Online, n.d.). In 1798 after having set up logging camps with the permission of the Spanish, the UK went to war with them in the Battle of Saint Georges Caye, causing the Spanish to withdraw (Brown, 1981, p.56). In 1840 the region formally became the British Honduras (Brown, 1981, p.57). As a colonized nation with lumber to export, its no coincidence that in 1840 the administrative center of the colony moved for its third time to eventually end up in the coastal

3 lowlands and what is now Belize City (Brown, 1981, p.55). With similarities to the African model of the colonial city, Belize City became a hub for export, industry and administration, drawing in large populations, (at times, close to 1/3 of the countrys population could be found in Belize city,) and resulting in sporadic development (Kearns, 1973, p.3). So what caused the move from this seemingly permanent settlement to the now capital of Belmopan? Number one on the list was Hurricanes. Natural Disaster Since 1787, 14 major hurricanes have hit Belize, with the most destructive in 1931; Belize City was reduced to a wooden scrap heap and it left nearly 3000 people dead (Brown, 1981, p. 62). Following this was the first call for the capital to be moved; but with a loan from the imperial treasury, reconstruction quickly began instead. To create a regional scheme and re-develop the capital elsewhere while providing work for the influx of population proved to be out of touch with the desires of government, firms, churches etc. who wanted to focus on re-building themselves without regard for the future (Brown, 1981, p.48). In 1961 Hurricane Hattie hit Belize City, and finally convinced the government under George Price to pack up and move inland (Kearns, 1973, p. 3). One account suggested that nearly 80% of the city was once again destroyed, and over 25 million dollars in damage was done (Kearns, 1973, p.148). On top of this were the already squalid conditions of what was a Primate city; Trevor Brown (1981) notes the thirdrate streets, broken down bridge, no water, open sewers and overpopulation, leaving Belize City to be one of the most poorly serviced Capitals in the world (p.64). This only made worse by surrounding mangrove and the inability to expand the city.

4 What Kevin Kearns argues to be the third push factor as, bringing a long-dormant region into the effectively settled domain and create a more equitable distribution of the population, was in time refused as Brown notes that unlike other countries that relocated their capitalsBelize has such a small population [that] it has difficulty maintaining the present levels of economic activity (Kearns, 1973, p.151)(Brown, 1981, p.79.) Nonetheless, reason enough was given to begin site selection in 1962 by the New Capital Committee. The committee established 12 criteria to evaluate potential sites in order to choose the most fitting, however one might note the lack of attention to hurricane and weather patterns in this evaluation (see map of approximate site locations below) (Brown, 1981 p. 54). Whether this was a

5 consideration taken for granted, or an astounding oversight is unknown.

Figure 2: Evaluation of New Capital Sites

Figure 3: Possible site Selections Based on these 12 factors, it appears that Colonel English Creek was the most suitable location, however when weather patterns were considered, Roaring creek village was much more protected, and in fact would rarely be touched by hurricane forces. In 1964, the new location was approved (Kearns, 1973 p. 152). Work on the Garden City Begins Still under UK jurisdiction the development of Belizes new capital was without a doubt going to have British planning influences; most significantly those Ebenezer Howards Garden City ideal. The only previously established infrastructure being the intersection of two major highways, Belmopan was a blank slate for development and the epitome of a New Town, to be planned by Norman, Dawborne and Associates, consultants for the British Colonial Office (Brown, Wolfe, 1997, p. 54)(Gregory, Johnston, Pratt, Watts, & Whatmore, 2009, p.267. Construction was to be carried out in multiple stages, the first with the intention of creating the administrative center, as well as housing in the east, and was critical in creating a

7 place where workers and their families could come in order to grow with the city (Brown, 1981, p. 60). The first to move, because of the nature of the job, were the civil servant employees and their families. Because the large economic center remained in Belize City however, the new Belmopan lacked diverse industries, or populations and its development was hindered. According to State Magazine, in 2011 there still was only between 10 and 15 thousand residents in Belmopan, making it one of the smallest capital cities in the world (p.26). The Land Use map below is from 1973 and exhibits a town center with a dominant central park area, and a significant ring road connecting all sections of the city. Majority of development was in the town center and residential areas, with little else having been established. Compare that with the 2004 Zoning map and we see quite the expansion. The initial ring road with government function inside remains the same, as does the initial residences; but with thirty years, more evidence of Neighborhood Units appear, with schools in many of the residential sectors, and multiple hubs of commerce which was lacking for the first inhabitants (Kearns, 1973, p.160). Large industrial sectors have developed in the outer periphery since the 1970s, however one criticism pointed out that for a city with planned into it a reliance on walking, there was a large disconnect between residences homes and their industrial work places (capital punishment, 1998). These walking paths were beneficial however for the youth to walk to school (Kearns, 1973, p. 156).

Figure 4: Belmopan Land Use 1973 [Map]

Figure 5 Belmopan Land Use 2004 [Map] Although not formally a member, Belize has created ties to the Latin American community and has taken on a few similarities in their planning; structured around a central plaza and proximate to multiple churches, their cultural priorities are evident. Unlike the historically developed Latin American cities that Paul Knox and Linda McCarthy introduce us to, Belmopan has however avoided the struggles of urban sprawl and squatter settlements, and instead has developed working

10 neighborhoods that are somewhat segregated by income or job because of the time and purpose in which they came to the new capital (2012, pg. 142-143). Nonetheless, it seems the majority of those who move to Belmopan come for work and therefore are housed efficiently. Perhaps most surprisingly in a modern British-influenced city is the nod to Mayan culture, although not in abundance (Kearns, 1973, p. 156). The National Assembly Building, one of the first built in the city, replicates a Mayan pyramid with a temple-like staircase entering it. According to Google maps, the direction of the building also aligns directly East/West and North/South perhaps congruent with the Mayan cosmological orientation patterns (Wernecke, 1994, p. 49)

Figure 5: Belmopan Parliament Building A large factor in the planning of this new Capital was to ensure that history didnt repeat itself with another hurricane bringing down the city. Buildings are built with concrete, and public buildings have been designed to withstand extreme winds brought about by such weather (Kearns, 1973, p. 156). As of 1973, the result was a bleak and sterile faade. Neighborhoods were meant to develop each their own

11 character, however that process takes decades, and even as weve seen through layers of cities, its not until multiple layers combine that a character is often revealed. Leaving much to be desired for the first years of the citys life. A saving grace for the citys beauty was the large green belt that naturally existed around the city, and the many were created between housing blocks. Initially agricultural tracts, and meant to draw people into an economy, Kearns noted they do little more than divide the space as there is still a lack of recreation and ways to enjoy this outdoor space (1973, p. 161). Many would take weekend trips back to Belize City to enjoy their amenities eroding the fragile state of belonging in Belmopan and creating another inhibiting factor to settling the new city. Lack of History The development of a city from nothing is a dream for many planners; no preexisting problems to solve, a blank slate to work with, and plenty of room to grow. But with no previous history, there is also a lack of character and Belmopan has faced this hurdle as a new capital attempting to entice citizens. The citizens of Belize City have become tied to the land in which they live; many because they work there, and some because they dont have the ability to move, but we should also consider the sense of identity that comes with enduring hardship like a natural disaster (Brown, 1981, no page). One might argue that coming out of a situation like a hurricane (or multiple) can in fact enhance ones sense of belonging and their bonds with neighbours. To move to a city in which you have no history nor does anyone have history, would lack a comfort like that you find at home. As the first settlers they would also be guinea pigs in the new developments and for some time would have to

12 go without modern amenities until they are seen as necessary. Where most cities are built on the grounds of industry or an economy, Belmopan was built to escape the shaky grounds of low-lying coasts. The intent was to create an economy with the apparently large agricultural potential in the Cayo region, however without even an attractive city to lure people anyone would be hesitant to make the move. With next to no previously built infrastructure, and a population less than willing to vacate their previous residences, its surge into Cityhood was less than spectacular. Moving Forward At the time of Belmopans development Belize was still a colony of the British; meaning that most parties involved in the planning process were supplied by the crown and perhaps had multiple interests at play. Not only was the consulting firm bringing a British planning flare, but the implementation was also carried out by RECONDEV Reconstruction and Development Corporation of the Crown (Brown & Wolfe, 1997, p. 54). Today they are still heavily involved in the development of the city, and although there is a desire from Mayor Simeon Lopez to dissolve them, he has said there is a lack of funds for the city to be directing development themselves (Plus TV Belize, 2012. As the state of urgency is significantly less than when Belmopan was first developed and a large portion of the groundwork has been laid, future planning should not only be carried out in a more patient manner, but also should be a participatory one. Rather than a British model, which as Brown and Wolfe suggest is largely autocratic, the people who are being affected should be involved (2012, p.53). The challenge remains as it does in many post-Independence nations, a period of time in which the professional experience is lacking and needs to

13 be developed along with the city. There is potential in May for myself to participate in this process; by working alongside Canadian professionals, the intent is to properly define regions based on citizens perceptions in order to create more manageable and effective development potential. By properly defining these regions, it can be determined who receives help with what, and doesnt leave tracts of people ignored. As the tourism industry in Belize booms nearly 1 million people visit the country each year, and large portions of these come from cruise ships entering Belize City (Caniglia, 2011, p. 26). For a city already flooding with people on limited space, they no doubt will face some challenges. There is potential for even more Belizean citizens to move back to the city with the hopes of getting their piece of the tourism industry, which would increase pressure immensely on the services housing and the environment. We may also see a decrease in traditional industry as the lumber supply has dwindled, and as initially hoped, agriculture has become an attractive alternative. As part of the Caribbean Free Trade Agreement, products have an international market, but they also are large suppliers of cane sugar and citrus fruits to the United States and elsewhere; making them especially vulnerable to these global systems (World Factbook, n.d.). However with large agricultural land surrounding the Capital, Belmopan has the ability to flourish in the near future. The End? Is a blank slate really an ideal place to plan from if there is no character or sense of identity on which to grow? The growing pains experienced by Belmopan are in fact common of newly established capitals, as the Economist noted, with chaos and

14 uncertainty (Anonymous, 1998). It is after all supposed to be a symbol of nationhood and progress, yet in reality contains no history to progress from, and no population to declare it representative of the nation (Kearns, 1973, p.166). Perhaps some natural un-orderly development is what allows a city to identify itself to the world rather than become another placeless city. With time, perhaps the social historical and atmospheric background which provides the great charm of long established towns, will begin to develop (Kearns, 1973, p.160) and allows this Garden City to become the Utopia it was meant to be.

15 Works Cited Anonymous (1998, Dec). Capital Punishment. The Economist, 345 69-70 Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com/docview/224081918 Belmopan [Map]. (2004). Retrieved from Belmopan City Online: http://www.belmopancityonline.com/Portals/0/belmopan%20map.jpg Belmopan City Online. (n.d.). History of Belize. Retrieved from: http://www.belmopancityonline.com/belize-history.aspx Brown, D.F., & Wolfe, J. M. (1997). Adjusting Planning Frameworks to Meet Changing Needs in Post Colonial Countries: The Example of Belize. Habitat International, 21, 51-63. Brown, T. N. (1981). Hurricanes and the Attachment to Place: the Case of Belize City, Belize (Master of Arts Thesis, York University, 1981). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, pg n/a. Caniglia, A. (2011, April 1). Belmopan: Smaller is Better in Close-Knit Community. State Magazine, p. 24 Web. Retrieved from: http://digitaledition.state.gov/publication/?i=65768 Central Intelligence Agency (n.d.) The World Factbook: Belize. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html Gregory, D., Johnston, R., Pratt, G., Watts, M.J., & Whatmore, S. (2009). Dictionary of Human Geography (5th ed.). West Sussex: Blackwell Publishing. Kearns, K. (1973) Belmopan: Perspective on a New Capital. Geographical Review, 63 (2), 147-169 Retrieved from JSTOR database 142.25.103.167 Knox, P.L., & McCarthy, L. (2012). Urbanization: An Introduction to Urban Geography (3rd ed.). United States: Pearson Education I used page 142-143 Plus TV Belize. (2012, March 19). Belmopan City Council Sworn In [Video]. Retrieved from www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9_5sja04yo Wernecke, D.C. (1994). Aspects of Urban Design in Ancient Maya Center: El Pilar, Belize (Master of Arts Thesis, Florida Atlantic University, 1994) Appendix Figure 1: Belize [Map] Retrieved from http://en.18dao.net/Map/Belize 18 Nov, 2013 Figure 2: Evaluation of New Capital Sites. [Table] Retrieved from Hurricanes and the Attachment to Place: the Case of Belize City p. 54 Figure 3: Possible Site Selections, [Map] created, Google Earth Nov 19th, 2013 Figure 4: Belmopan Land Use [Map] Retrieved from Belmopan: Perspective on a New Capital Figure 5: Belmopan Land Use 2004 [Map] retrieved from http://www.belmopancityonline.com/Portals/0/belmopan%20map.jpg 28 Sep, 2013 Figure 6: Belmopan Parliament Buildings [Image] Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmopan 17 Nov, 2013