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NRP APPLICATION / MAHEBOURG

APPLICATION UNDER THE NATIONAL REGENERATION PROGRAMME (NRP) FOR THE VILLAGE OF MAHEBOURG

SEP 2020

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NRP APPLICATION / MAHEBOURG

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE...... 3 2. INTRODUCTION -THE CASE FOR URBAN REGENERATION ...... 3 2.1 THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ...... 5 2.2 THE WAKASHIO INCIDENT ...... 6 3. CONTEXT OPPORTUNITY APPRAISAL ...... 8 3.1 THE PROXIMITY OF THE AIRPORT AS A LOST OPPORTUNITY ...... 8 4. OVERVIEW OF MAHEBOURG ...... 9 5. OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED BOUNDARY ...... 11 5.1 STUDY OF THE OLD CULTURAL FABRIC ...... 12 6. DESIGN STATEMENT ...... 14 7. PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 15 7.1 TRANSPORT ...... 15 7.2 DRAINAGE ...... 16 7.3 SEWERAGE AND WATER SUPPLY ...... 16 7.4 ELECTRICITY SERVICES ...... 16 7.5 COMMUNICATION SERVICES ...... 17 8. PROJECTS & CALENDAR ...... 17 5.1 8.1 URBAN PUBLIC SPACE – COMMUNITY SERVICE ...... 17 5.2 8.2 PUBLIC FACILITIES ...... 17 5.3 8.3 HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION ...... 18 8.4 WATER RELATED ACTIVITIES ...... 18 8.5 LIFESTYLE, BRANDING AND IDENTITY ...... 18 8.6 IDENTIFIED PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECTS ...... 19 8.7 IDENTIFIED NATIONAL AGENDA PRIORITIES ...... 19 9. PROPOSED ADDITIONAL AREA SPECIFIC INCENTIVES ...... 20 9.1 WAKASHIO CLEANUP ACTIVITIES ...... 20 9.2 TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION ...... 21 10. CONCLUSION ...... 21 REFERENCES ...... 22

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1. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Mahebourg’s creation was suggested in 1785, by Visdelou de Bonamour, Port-Bourbon’s commanding officer. The agglomeration’s plans were drawn in 1804, the town founded by Governor Decaen in 1806, named after Mahé de Labourdonnais. In 1810, the town’s inhabitants were able to book front row seats when the Grand Port Battle was staged some metres away from their shores. Mahebourg is pregnant with history. From architecture to urban grid, from church to temple, from coastal to fluvial, heritage and legacy piece together an exceptional cultural narrative, assuring both rootedness and entertainment. It deserves to be safeguarded and even plausibly expanded.

Capturing a noteworthy share of the region’s touristic revenue, adding up to older activities, Mahebourg’s local economy has reached quite a commendable jobs/labour ratio. ‘The wide range of administrative and commercial functions in Mahebourg enables it to maintain an approximate equilibrium between labour and jobs’, as noted in the Outline Planning Scheme for Grand Port Council Area of 2011.

With sizeable local investment in multiple small-scaled businesses, with strong national brands, operating therein, Mahebourg is not really threatened by urban decay. However, the double challenge of the COVID-19 impacts on tourism activities in the south, and that of the Wakashio oil spill renders a situation where a thoroughly thought-out regeneration, mobilising its various assets and resources, including its spatial layout is required. A revisit of the traditional building over nature can, in the same line be effected while protecting fields, estuary and lagoon, and providing the most compelling encouragement to further finetune a sustainable town-building template, and reinforce the brand of the south as a place of nature and culture.

This regeneration plan includes Mahébourg, and plausibly Ville-Noire and neighbouring private lands, relying for business leeway and some further buildable depth upon neighbouring agricultural lands, the future South- eastern conurbation could harmoniously stand on both banks of Rivière La Chaux.

2. INTRODUCTION -THE CASE FOR URBAN REGENERATION

Whereas quite a few more compact settlements and ensuing building concentrations along the Plaines- Wilhems central conurbation seem occasioned more by chance than necessity, Mahebourg’s location is not an accident. It stands at the crossroad of various routes. A former railway terminus from where trainloads of sugar, carrying the whole area’s production, were directed to the docks in Port-Louis, a heritage economic lifeline replaced today by various daily commutes, Mahébourg serves as network head of the region’s pelagic coastal fishing activity while being as well host to a promising, albeit small scaled, multifaceted fluvial economy. Urban regenerative measures increasing the liveability levels of areas are always needed but in Mahebourg they may not require to be designed ex nihilo; it may be sufficient to just revive what was envisaged right from the outset by the town’s original planners.

Contemporary preoccupations do factor, into this Mahebourg regeneration project, sustainability issues as well as revigorated awareness of the unique cultural values these areas hold as legacy. The contribution of Page 3 of 23

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NRP APPLICATION / MAHEBOURG culture to society is immeasurable and unending. The Ernest and Young [1]argues that, together with creativity, culture serves as the societal binding glue, especially when noted that it has a relationship with politics, society, environment, economy and technology. The ability to link the past, the present and the future furthermore identifies culture as a strong societal component that needs to occupy centre stage in any policy framework.

On the economic front, the investment in cultural heritage zones, such as Mahebourg’s old neighbourhoods, can be seen as one of the most potent strategies that a city can employ to promote job creation, increase income flow and foster competitiveness of the urban fabric, thus supporting local policies of economic empowerment and resilience. Bowitz and Ibenholt [2] argue that by promoting cultural heritage and conserving historical sites, activities celebrating the urban fabric such as local festivals, amusement parks and culturally oriented products can be made to mushroom; hence, increasing tourism activities both from domestic and foreign visitors and impacting on the local and regional economy.

Vegheș [3] posits that the advancement in technology has allowed different cities and governments to market their cultural heritage, thus evoking interest among people, irrespective of locality and context to learn more about - and to seek - cultural experience. This is accentuated by a flourishing economy surrounding the urban cultural dimension. An OECD [4] report documented that the marketing strategy on cultural goods and services is enabled by modern trends like digitalisation and globalisation. Those enabled access to technologies applicable to the cultural sphere at almost real time and at a reduced access cost. The report advances that these trends are made possible by the fact that culture is now already well integrated in areas like education, health and welfare and economic sectors where it plays an instrumental role; especially in improving quality of life. Lekaota [5] adds that, unlike the past when only locals or central governments were benefitting from most cultural heritage products and services, the increased profit-sharing strategies adopted in different places incorporating even the local communities is yielding positive results which are beneffiting immediate economies. In view of this, there are numerous creative and innovative products and services on offer, in different parts of the world, hence fueling much commended conservation drives. Underscoring this, a UNESCO report [6] highlights that, in the recent past, the number of cultural products and services being patented are on the rise, ranging from artefacts, songs and music to festivals and games, documentaries, historical sites, jewelry and other wearables amongst many others. This highlights the increasing interest, adoption and economic potential of such approach, and as such development aimed towards urban regeneration, while supporting cultural dimensions, can be made to tally with cultural heritage and should not be prevented, as there are local positive economic returns on both landowners and businesses alike.

As the set of incentives is applicable specifically to the boundaries of the site, this approach is similar to that of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which has been documented extensively in various areas around the world and which have contributed to economic growth in terms of budgetary revenues and employment.

It is noted that even though issues like structuring deficiencies, economic abuse and sometimes more investor oriented policies may occur [7], positive yields are expected to occur as these zones have high a potential to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) [8,9], as in the case of the Immigration Square Urban Terminal. It is notable to comment that those incentives are also offered to adopt greener practices, in line with SDGs. Going further, if the larger Mahebourg zone benefits from the National Regeneration Programme (NRP) [10], which aims at the regeneration of ‘existing building’ and in attracting private investment in the ‘public realm’ as per

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NRP APPLICATION / MAHEBOURG an approved regeneration plan, there will be a noticeable organic cultural regeneration of the area. Interestingly, it can be seen that the combined adoption of cultural activities, environmental preservation and the NRP will be made to contribute positively to old quarters, and to the larger Central Business District, with fiscal incentives as explained by Sinenko [11], those areas are able to increase output which leads to growth at both local and regional scale. The backdrop of these outcomes is the potential growth in employment opportunities, which most countries benefit of where SEZs are located, spurring on local economies directly or indirectly [12].

2.1 THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19

The impact of travel bans and lockdown measures around the globe are revealing deep and devastating consequences on numerous economic sectors. In Mauritius, where we rely on a large margin on tourism, the industry was already experiencing a sluggish growth in 2019, where the total number of tourists visiting the island’s shores declined by 1.1% in 2019, while gross tourism earnings falling by 1.5% to Rs 63.1 bn. This is dreadful for a number of reasons, but on the macro economic landscape, the industry as a whole is an essential component of the Mauritian economy and is estimated to have accounted for 18.8% of GDP and 19.1% of total employment in 2019.

In the first four months of 2020, tourism arrivals dropped by 33.9% year over year. Meanwhile, tourism earnings, which are not updated as regularly as tourist arrivals, are estimated to have fallen by 3.8% in the first two months of 2020.

The United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) estimates that global travel could fall by 60% – 80% in 2020, which would suggest a drop of between 850 million and 1.1 billion in international tourists, the loss of $910 billion – $1.2 trillion in export receipts from tourism, and as many as 120 million direct jobs in the tourism sector being at risk.

Prior to the pandemic, the government’s vision was to attain 1.6 million tourists by the end of 2020, to increase tourism earnings to the tune of Rs71bn and create 12,208 (compared to 41,792 jobs in 2017) additional direct jobs in the tourism sector.

Tourists visiting Mauritius are primarily European, accounting for about 60% of all tourists. European tourists are mainly French, British, and German, but the government has undertaken numerous initiatives to diversify its tourism market, with a particular focus on Asia, Oceania, and America.

While many countries have started to ease their lockdown measures, potential tourists will be anchored down by travel restrictions, tighter budgets, and health-related fears.

While the tourism sector has been the hardest hit, other economic sectors such as the textile, transportation, and manufacturing sectors are also facing the brunt of the economic slowdown.

As a result, unemployment figures have soared. According to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mauritius could see unemployment increase by 150% to a total of 100,000 active non-

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NRP APPLICATION / MAHEBOURG employed workers; that is, 17.5% of the active population. With the effects of the pandemic still unfolding, we do not have clear indicators as to the full extent of the drawbacks and on the most targeted regions yet. However, preliminary indicators show an increase of around 60,000 of unemployed persons across Mauritius, as per the Minister of Finance and Economic Development.

As part of the government’s fiscal support measures amid COVID-19, a wage support scheme and self- employed assistance scheme have been implemented. The purpose of the two schemes were to cushion the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 by providing financial support to employees who have become unemployed on a temporary basis, as well as those who are employed in informal sectors or self-employed.

For the Mahebourg region, the pandemic presented a number of challenges, mainly through the urban-rural disconnect presented in the form of lockdowns, disrupting supply chains. Additionally, one major element is that of the impact on tourism from border closures, rendering a direct impact on tourism-related activities in the southern part of the island, which is generally favoured as a quieter retreat as opposed to the northern parts of the island. The impact on the tourism activity in the region is a threat multiplier, reducing revenue to local communities and resources for the preservation of the unique urban identity and character of the region.

2.2 THE WAKASHIO INCIDENT

The grounding incident of the MV Wakashio, on the 25th July 2020, has engulfed Mauritius at a time when the country was still trying to recover from the devastating economic impacts of COVID-19. Aboard the ship was approximately 3,894 MT of Bunker oil, 207 MT of Marine Gas Oil and 90 MT of Lubricating Oil, where around 1,000 MT have leaked into the waters of Mauritius, raising serious concerns over the possible impacts on the ecosystem and economies of affected coastal regions, which rely heavily on tourism -a major contributor to the local economy.

The incident resulted into 20 to 25 kilometers of coastline to be impacted with the oil spill, with the long-term consequences on ecosystems still unclear. This highlights an urgent need for an extensive deployment of resources -financial, special machinery and others in the areas affected. Through the appeal of the Prime Minister for immediate assistance, including the call for a state of environmental emergency, volunteers and private sector partners drawn from around the island have worked around the clock to help in the cleanup and mitigation efforts.

Interestingly, even if the oil spill impacted on a large extent of the coastline, the public square of the Mahebourg Waterfront emerged as the centre of response control for the public, showcasing the importance of the area and its ease of access and reach. With the role of the public square being celebrated on both local and international news outlet, the need to quickly repair and regenerate the ecosystem, particularly in the Mahebourg region, will play a key role in

While assistance in removing the fuel from the ship to thwart further spillage was performed urgently and with success, it is expected that it will take time before normalcy is restored in coastal regions due to the impact and severity of the oil spill. With the ecological tragedy, the socio-economic impacts, and the psychological perception of immediate action by policy makers, there is an urgent requirement for clean-up

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NRP APPLICATION / MAHEBOURG efforts requiring substantial resources. On this front, financial compensation from the Mitsui OSK Lines Company; operating the ill-fated ship, is being contemplated. However, reading from history, such an endeavour may take years before compensation is received, as is the case of past shipwrecks as outlined in the table below.

Name of Place Oil Spill Year of Compensation Time to Reference Vessel compensation (Tons) incident Amount Year (USD)

Erika ’s 30,000 1999 $13 2010 11 years Carroll [13] Atlantic million coast

MV Prestige Galacia, 77,000 2002 $1 billion 2017 15 years Uria [14] Spain

Katina P Mozambique 72,000 1992 $4.5 1997 6 years Mozambique million News Agency [15]

Torrey Cornwall, 119,000 1967 $7.2 1969 2 years Senate [16] Canyon England million

Amoco Cadiz Brittany, 223,000 1978 $200 1992 14 years Maritime France million Knowledge [17]

Exxon Valdez Alaska 37,000 1989 $507 2008 19 years Langfitt [18] million

While the avenue of compensation is explored, knowing that lengthy timelines are to be expected, there is need to explore alternative options for attracting funds on the immediate and short terms, to maintain the clean-up momentum. This unprecedented situation will demand innovative financial mechanisms (outlined in section 10) so as to encourage a sustained involvement from various actors of the economy; including the private sector, NGO’s and individual volunteers, while possibly encouraging Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into an area that is not usually contemplated, but is important to support this priceless effort.

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3. CONTEXT OPPORTUNITY APPRAISAL

Figure 1. Context Appraisal

Mahebourg is a concentrated economic hub. Its naval museum and legacy biscuit factory, its seasonal regattas, seafood restaurants and various budget hotels attract both domestic and foreign tourists. Its central market is as much an attraction and a daily service, aligned with the large parallel streets heading to the waterfront promenade. From a less apparent point of view, studying Mahebourg’s urban grid suggests as well traditional itineraries and pedestrian flows that may be revived, enhanced in view of better urban fluidity and instrumentality.

Mahebourg is at a fifteen-minute southward drive from Mauritius’ only airport; eastward, it is half an hour away from the Grand Port archeological museum and former defense batteries. Besides, lying at a walkable distance from Pointe d’Esny seaside village and Blue Bay exceptional public beach, Mahebourg is extremely well connected, standing at the intersection of various circular economic currents. From pandamus cultivation towards Bambous Virieux to the baskets and pouches on offer in Mahebourg handicraft outlets, from marine carpentry workshops to early morning fishing expeditions, from Mahebourg’s reputed roadside fishmonger stalls to fine dining around its waterfront and in the neighbouring touristic resorts, the Grand Port region has developed an interdependent ecosystem of which Mahebourg and its business opportunities constitute the chemistry crucible, while providing as well both reagents and catalyst.

Any sustainable regeneration in downtown Mahebourg - including a peripheral expansion scrupulously aligned upon the original urban plan – cannot fail to impact positively on larger Mahebourg. From Plaine-Magnien’s banana growers to Anse Jonchée’s ylang-ylang distillers.

3.1 THE PROXIMITY OF THE AIRPORT AS A LOST OPPORTUNITY

One major landmark close to Mahebourg is that of the airport which often has negative connotations due to the associated noise and building height restrictions, as highlighted in the Outline Planning Scheme (OPS) of Page 8 of 23

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Grand Port. However, one major advantage is the influx of tourists from this point of entry, which represents a large economic potential for short-stay tourism. If 10% of annual tourists are captured, this would represent a market flow of 150,000 tourists which Mahebourg can attract and economically benefit from.

4. OVERVIEW OF MAHEBOURG

The 2011 census identified 110,907 inhabitants in , of which 15,176 lived in Mahebourg and 6,904 in Beau-Vallon, an agglomeration closely conurbated with Mahebourg. The two village council areas jointly account for nearly 20% of the district’s population.

In terms of primary education, the Mahebourg/Beau-Vallon catchment area comprises four schools. As regards secondary, the Mahebourg-educated cohort – some coming from outside – is shared between Emmanuel Anquetil SSS, a boys’ public high school, and Loreto College, a catholic aided girls’ establishment.

As frequently the case in Mauritius, by choice or by obligation, many adolescents commute to attend high school. This issue is a sensitive one. It is linked to a widespread aspiration for most families towards transgenerational social mobility. It now appears quite clearly that there is a conflict in the making between admission to supposedly better high schools and sustainable vehicular mobility. Educational establishments in Mauritius need to reassess their pupils’ daily carbon footprint, with a view towards combatting disparities. That will entail parity of esteem between all schools, the latter delivering equal academic performances and contributing to more satisfying neighbourhood education.

Urban planners and residential development promoters may need to consider the quality and attractiveness of neighbouring education offers whenever designing projects liable to increase the numbers of local cohorts. Public and private school projects should envisage the impact of denser and more compact neighbourhoods on local education provision.

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Figure 2. Urban sprawl in the form of new morcellements (represented in red)

As regards health, alongside Mahebourg private surgeries, emergency or intensive public health services are provided by Rose-Belle Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, whereas the legacy hospital on Cent Gaulettes Street is now a day care centre. Whereas old persons accounted for 13% of the national population in Census 2011, they made up 14.1% of “Mahebourgeois”, thereby ranking fifth among agglomerations in this regard. A further reason to encourage the creation of new jobs in the territory, destined to freshly attracted young new residents. This will provide a more cohesive development where people will be made to live where they work, and thus reduce vehicular dependency.

Despite supporting stable jobs and ensuring a fair revenue to small “Mahebourgeois” entrepreneurs, tourism still reserves its largest revenue chunks to upper market restaurant and catamaran owners, hoteliers, and tour operators. Mahebourg urban regeneration is expected to provoke a diversification of commercial and service offers, including those targeting locals as well and the touristic market. From region-based smartphone apps to guided archeological scuba-diving expeditions, new and innovative offers are likely to multiply, creating jobs and providing more value-added activities.

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According to the Employment Information Centre, there were, at the end of June 2019, 1,070 job seekers in Mahebourg, both unemployed and in employment, 259 males and 811 females. However, at the same date, there were only 430 unemployed, 115 males and 315 females. Assuming a 60% economic activity rate, thus levelling the active population at 9 000, these figures result in a 4.7% job deficit, well within the limits of normal frictional unemployment. In a situation close to full employment, employers confronted to the risk of employee poaching by competitors, an urban regeneration project, paired with a development strategy is liable to provide workers with opportunities of upward mobility. Among many foreseen projects, activities such as rare plants nursery gardening; marine carpentry workshops and masterclasses; sailing classes; legacy circuit guides; laser/audiovisual historical projections; musical matinee on the waterfront promenade will require training and deliver more attractive revenues.

Whereas unemployment is much higher in the rest of Grand Port district, the reasons why Mahebourg fares better may plausibly be its urban layout, user-friendly walkability across a network of lively shop frontages. Mahebourg’s future development presents the advantage of relying upon a master plan whose time- honoured relevance does not need to be advocated. «The Mahebourg regeneration project provides an unrivalled development potential offering developer the opportunity to reimagine and demonstrate innovative built form with a compelling vision to enhance the distinctive heritage and character of Mahebourg», observes the Economic Development Board in its 2018 Budget Highlights.

5. OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED BOUNDARY

The proposed boundary of the Action Area Plan (AAP) for Mahebourg is shown below in blue (Figure 2). The proposed site amounts to 1,086 Acres and regroups around small and medium landowners with a major private stakeholder. The area in red represents future expansive possibilities and highlights the catchment area that the primary regenerative zone (in blue) shall absorb, before rendering future expansive needs to be absorbed in a planned fashion in the red zones.

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Figure 3. Proposed boundary of the Action Area Plan

5.1 STUDY OF THE OLD CULTURAL FABRIC

The white dotted line that cuts across the brown circle in nearly two halves also separates a section of the town with larger street block – with an area of roughly one arpent each – from the grid’s more compact streets and neighbourhoods. This evokes a line of social and economic – if not ethnic – distinction in Mahebourg’s early days.

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Figure 4. Studying the old cultural quarters of Mahebourg

The dark grey part around the circle’s centre and, roughly, on the line of separation of richer and poorer Mahebourg belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Considering the latter’s influence in French colonial society, assuming that the Church’s domain - including ND des Anges church - was placed at the centre – or heart - of the urban grid is quite plausible. Besides its centrality, if we consider the place’s spatiality as well, it is extremely tempting to imagine it could assume a public vocation.

The magistrate’s court, shown by a light grey square, is set, vis-à-vis its feeder streets in a way different from the other blocks. This also indicates a position of importance in the original grid. The older buildings and the grid provide needful data about the original community’s organisation as well as the mobility flows. Any future master plan should be aligned on these indications.

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6. DESIGN STATEMENT

Material testimonies to the elegance of Mahebourg’s old buildings are still standing, either in their original consistance or renovated: the old places of worship, the naval and historical museum, the catholic parish rectory, public infrastructure (Cavendish bridge), its architectural identity, just to name a few.

Over the years, whereas the city’s social fabric grew plural, its diversity showed as well in a variety of styles, from French and British stately colonial architecture of graceful wooden and stone structures to more modest but contemporary ones. Mauritius is comfortable with this lively variety. It should naturally express itself in the renovated Mahebourg in the pipeline. The design’s objective is not to turn Mahebourg into a uniformly sanitized shopping centre, it is rather to enhance the city’s attributes likely to favour placemaking, attracting residents and commuters to pedestrianised areas and connectors.

The primary need today is not a style but a city narrative. The first Mahebourg’s narrative, further to the city’s creation in 1806, was a story line for times of war, conquest and defense. It romanticised privateers and commerce raiding, leading to the island’s conquest by the British in 1810.

The second Mahebourg’s narrative, pieces together elements of refined architecture, landowning and social brilliance, equally compacted into a political coherence as from 1886 first Council of Government elections. However, the acclaimed cultural, musical, pictorial events on offer reflected a single identity. It was bourgeois and colonial, while leaving the legitimate aspirations of Asian- as well as popular culture at the margins.

Over the years leading to independence for quite some time after 1968, Mahebourg has symbolised, among other things, the frustrated ambitions of a political party which very strongly advocated the reopening of Mahebourg harbour, hailing its possible impact on deprived coastal communities in Grand Port District. Development of airway traffic off neighbouring Plaine-Magnien and industrialisation, with job creations in the district, has deprived the portuary strategy of most of its relevance. Over the years, Mahebourg and its region have redefined their relationship to tourism, restaurants, handicraft outlets, sea outings telling a new story.

Over the last decades, Mahebourg’s population has proved that it was capable or raising the funds required to refurbish their properties and the agglomeration’s economic activity is robust enough to prevent the kind or urban decay observed elsewhere in Mauritius across legacy neighbourhoods. Mahebourg however is at risk of seeing its various blocks losing their initial coherence and harmony. A grid analysis and documentary research may be required to better identify the style, height and function of the elements to be saved in priority. While being smart and respectful vis-à-vis cultural, religious and economic sensitivities, Mahebourg can turn its diversity into a further place identity. It could adopt any of the following branding slogans:

• Plural Mahebourg

(Religion: with Hindu temples – serving the Tamil speaking and Telegu speaking communities – among the oldest in Mauritius. With a Telegu Mandiram displaying an architecture more common for Christian churches than Hindu temples, the place’s colour and frontispiece speaks volumes about transcultural influence in Mauritius. Mahebourg has also resisted the temptation to populate neighbourhoods with like-looking people.

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The place’s most urbanised neighbourhoods also act as a connector between Rivière La Chaux, the waterfront and Beau-Vallon’s more rural heritage. • Mahebourg: Weaving Identities • Weaving Memory Lanes • Mahebourg: Bridging Places

The city’s plural character, the flavours it provides to visitors, the Mauritian intercultural savoir-faire it illustrates, the diversified experience on offer for tourists, the possibility to translate plural Mauritius into fusion cuisine, musical and dance shows, river banks’ projections, all this suggests the type of narrative which can be pieced together around the «diverse, open, creative, innovative, uninhibited» story line.

7. PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE

In urban terms, the most significant distinction between Lower Mahebourg (touching on neighbouring private lands) and Upper Mahebourg (towards Cavendish Bridge and Ville Noire) is the size of the avenues and street blocks across the grid. Larger – one arpent per block – in the northern part, around the central market and the district’s magistrate’s court, blocks are much smaller and sometimes less orderly in the southern part, palpably indicating affluence and class distinctions right from the time of Mahebourg’s foundation. The XIXth century and early XXth posh neighbourhoods nowadays host mostly shops and businesses with only very few houses of grand standing still occupied. In spite of quite a different ambience in the “two towns”, they stand close enough one from another to be joined across a walkability circle, with ten to 12-minute walks allowing on errands to reach easily most places of interest. This is a further encouragement to engage a pedestrian- based urban mobility’s reorganisation, possibly with electric vehicles reserved for larger peripheral circuits. The latter is also a further incentive de locate elsewhere – possibly around the Beau Vallon Mall roundabout – the bus terminal now separating the market perspective from the waterfront.

7.1 TRANSPORT

A significant transformation in Mahebourg is currently in progress in the public transport sector; this is made apparent by the number of ongoing projects. In the concerned ward of the NRP, the public transport infrastructures are mainly foreseen to be subject to no sizeable expansion projects, except with the renovation of existing infrastructures, such as the Cavendish bridge. However, the advent of new morcellements caters for the provision of new residential roads, which favours vehicular dependency, which is unsustainable; hence, calling for a more contained development strategy.

Renewed infrastructures are bound to develop the area by generating advanced transport management proficiencies. With the assistance of the scheme, roads will be less congested, helping the inhabitants of the precinct along with all the passengers converging to the region, or transiting through, especially on weekdays. The urban life will be subjected to an improved urban metabolism, where the energy flows will be reduced

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NRP APPLICATION / MAHEBOURG from the reduction in fossil fuel intake while the liveability levels will increase from cleaner air and a more sustainable lifestyle.

On the other hand, the creation of a commercial mall, at the Beau Vallon entrance, on the model of the Floréal Soflo complex may be a matter of regret. Its objective consumer attractivity will lead Beau-Vallon’s and Mahebourg’s shoppers, as well as Plaine Magnien’s for that matter, to forego neighbourhood shopping at walkable distance from home for automobile mobility to My Bourgeois. This will impact negatively on market patrons’ carbon footprint, traffic jams and, quite plausibly, Mahebourg’s business community’s eagerness to further invest.

7.2 DRAINAGE

The enactment of the programme in the designated zone is expected to considerably improve the drainage system, further to investments from the private sector in the public domain. Similarly, those have the capability of benefitting in a second phase, in the long term, from the potential expansion of the NRP’s boundaries. Additionally, an upgrade in the drainage system in the defined sector is a step forward in reducing flooding occurrences which are expected to increase due to climate change, inundations which Mauritius has been subject to during the last decade. Thus, offsetting the high costs in infrastructural upgrades aimed at better channelling surface water runoff can be rendered by the public and private sector rather than awaiting long procedural systems. The NRP provides for this and can actualise disaster management plans that have been long awaited.

7.3 SEWERAGE AND WATER SUPPLY

No direct impact to be noted, except for the application of water saving features, such as rainwater harvesting. Consumption from national reservoirs may be reduced, though minimally at first; this will be accelerated when the NRP is more documented and marketed.

7.4 ELECTRICITY SERVICES

The NRP allows a large scope for sustainable development in the area concerned. It will enable an increase in the utilisation of green energy which will consequently cause a major decline in the emission of greenhouse gas. Likewise, the dependency on fossil fuels in the region bounded by the scheme will lessen with the expansive use of renewable energy. This will ultimately yield an encouraging reduction of dependency upon the national grid even though the rate of urbanization is expected to boom in the region, as per recent reports of the United Nation, amounting to a staggering figure of 68% by 2050.

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7.5 COMMUNICATION SERVICES

The prospects of enhanced digitalisation – for smart living applications as well as digitalised creative art, historical narratives and legacy displays by electronic means - in the outlined area are favourable with the implementation of the scheme.

8. PROJECTS & CALENDAR

Traditionally, Mahebourg has been known for various fascinating features, its colourful regattas, its Tamil temple, built in 1856, the heritage exhibits in its History and Naval Museum. With such a defining legacy, a regeneration project cannot be content with just having a few more curios shops and tourists’ restaurant. The Mahebourg Regeneration Programme calls upon a large variety of projects.

The motivation for these projects is either simple objectives or more elaborate intentions expressed by various stakeholders.

These ideas have been summarised and converted into a first selection of converging projects:

• To upgrade, enhance and connect the city’s assets; • To celebrate the identity of the place; • To create the immersion experience specific to the moment.

Some of the projects listed below, regrouping projects from both public and varying private stakeholders, meet one or more of the above objectives. The timelines provided are of a tentative nature and reflect the possible calendar should projects be deployed by an interested party, be it of public or private nature. Importantly, the projects listed must be unveiled in a manner that best responds to market demand so as not to create unfavorable land speculation, rendering unaffordability.

5.1 8.1 URBAN PUBLIC SPACE – COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT TIMELINE Waterfront esplanade – Events plaza 2022 - 2024 Streets pedestrian network – Cycle paths – Landscaping 2023 - 2025 Dedicated bus lane – Circular line 2023 - 2025 Wifi connections 2020 - 2021

5.2 8.2 PUBLIC FACILITIES PROJECT TIMELINE Extension to Food Market 2021 - 2025 Bus terminal and related facilities 2022 - 2024

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Bus holding area 2022 - 2022 Relocation of State Secondary School Emmanuel Anquetil 2022 - 2016 New Fire Station 2022 - 2026 Street Food concept – Night Food Market; 2020 - 2021 Monday Market in Pointe Canon 2021 - 2022 Pedestrianisation – Cycle tracks –Parking; 2021 - 2023

5.3 8.3 HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION PROJECT TIMELINE Heritage trail 2022 - 2024 Uplifting of Musée Naval 2022 - 2026 Endemic Theme Garden 2021 - 2023 Old train station 2021 - 2026 Cleaning and embellishment – Greening and Landscaping; 2020 - 2021 Protection of wetlands and water areas; 2020 - 2022 Control and protect the old city’s renovation (4.25 FAR); 2021 - 2022 Notre Dame des Anges — Monastic Terroir Experience; 2022 - 2026

8.4 WATER RELATED ACTIVITIES PROJECT TIMELINE Conservation Research centre for wetlands and marine park combined 2020 - 2025 with IT startups Uplifting of Débarcadère 2021 - 2023 Upgrading of Cavendish bridge 2020 - 2022 Land-Sea-River Treks 2021 - 2026 Historical

Naval School Yard (Chantier-Ecole)

Jardin Endémique

The Waterfront Promenade 2021 - 2026

The Celebration Waterfront 2021 - 2026 The People’s Waterfront

8.5 LIFESTYLE, BRANDING AND IDENTITY PROJECT TIMELINE Provision of city with movable celebration/performance equipment; 2021 - 2022

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Rue des Flamants, upgrading and embellishment 2021 - 2022

Design of a unique and harmonised signage format for the whole urban 2021 - 2022 network Develop appropriate smart living apps – Ex : VisitMahebourg. 2021 - 2021

Annual Cultural Events Calendar; 2021 - 2025

Gastronomic events celebrating the uniqueness of the place: 2021 - 2025 Sound & Light Show – Bataille du Vieux Grand-Port

Dombeya Music Festival

Regatta

Storytelling – Arbres à Paroles

8.6 IDENTIFIED PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECTS PROJECT TIMELINE

Affordable Housing Units 2021 - 2026

Mixed Use Development 2021 - 2026

Eco-Quartier 2022 - 2028

8.7 IDENTIFIED NATIONAL AGENDA PRIORITIES

The projects led by the private, public or civic society will unfold in parallel, as per their respective guidelines and calendar. However, there are primary objectives that are shared by numerous stakeholders and point towards the need for PPP projects that can uplift the liveability level of the place. Those are outlined below:

• Bus Terminal With the bus terminal situated between the city and its waterfont, it encourages a large fleet of vehicles converging to site, leading to a large vehicular activity in an area that would have been better catered as a pedestrian and leisure site. Initial discussions with the inhabitatnts of Mahebourg and the public sector leads to a general concensus of the bus terminal being relocated, and the present site better utilised as a public open space.

• Mahebourg Market (Bazar) Numerous concerns have been noted as to the current state of the market of Mahebourg, highlighting the need for an immediate uplifting to provide the community with the state-of-the-art market facilities that align with the character of the region. Additionally, the aspect of continuity of the market to an open public space is desired, where -if the bus terminal is moved, can provide for an opportunity to Page 19 of 23

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better utilise the gained space to provide a food market with a strong food cluster and promenade - adding to the character of the place.

• Affordable Housing With an increasing middle income group comes an increasing demand for housing, particularly for the youth. Preliminary market analysis however showcases that in the region, there is only 2 types of product offer with a dangerous contrasting flavour; social housing and PDS (luxury) estates. A demand for affordable housing is recommended so as to bridge the demand gap while at the same time building a more inclusive community. This aligns with the new mandate of the government to create over 12,000 housing units, including for the middle income group. Aligning with this national agenda will allow for the densification of housing demand in the urbanised part of mahebourg, and allow for containing urban sprawl, hence building resilience while allowing for the provising of housing near to business and retail units -building economic stability and strenght in the process.

• Civic Infrastructure In the wake of the Wakashio incident, it is noted that numerous civic infrastructure needs are required to further support the local economy and societal fabric in the immediate vicinity. Those are represented in the reinforcement, refurbishment and expansion of existing facilities hosting potential tourism prospects and through the addition of facilities like a one stop shop for regrouping administrative needs in the city centre, a fully functioning and equipped institute based on the blue economy offering an array of training and research facilities on the post-wakashio oil spil, and a cooperative to contribute to tourism policy making in the southern part of the island.

9. PROPOSED ADDITIONAL AREA SPECIFIC INCENTIVES

As outlined in section 2.2, it is proposed that the Mahebourg region is equipped with an additional set of incentives tailored to counter both the COVID-19 and Wakashio impacts on the immediate neighborhood and surrounding regions. In this effect, it is proposed that the following incentives, that can be reworked in accordance to the protocol of government, are enforced in activities in the Area Action Plan.

9.1 WAKASHIO CLEANUP ACTIVITIES

a) Accelerated depreciation for machinery for the cleaning and processing of toxic waste. b) Tax rebates and custom duties exemption on equipment for the use of scientific monitoring of coastal and marine ecosystems; eco-toxicology assessment and monitoring, among other related activities. c) Tax rebates or recoupment on income tax for the embellishment of coastal regions and ecosystem regeneration. d) Custom duties, tax rebates and accelerated depreciation for activities related to marine research and product development.

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9.2 TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION

a) Setting up of loan schemes for Small Scale operators for the undertaking of tourism-related activities in the Area Action Zone, and in the larger southern part of the island. b) Tax rebates for SMEs involved in tourism related activities c) Provision of grants for equipping tourism-related businesses with IT infrastructures to allow for a cohesive branding, aligning with that of the village, to attract tourists to the region.

10. CONCLUSION

Urban decay is a potential danger faced by many cities which struggle to cope with the calls of economic attractiveness, liveability and sustainability. In view of the current challenges of COVID-19, coupled with the introduced challenges faced by the Wakashio shipwreck, Mahebourg may face a similar fate following the setting up of new, highly incentivised, smart cities in Mauritius. Fiscally incentivising economic development as an urban regeneration tool is well documented. As such, to ensure a sustainable, smart and inclusive framework for business, culture and people, a proposed boundary (the Area Action Plan) for the application of the National Regeneration Programme is proposed, with an aim to revamp the urban fabric of Mahebourg. A significant number of landowners are expected to benefit from this application, and a number of important projects, both in size and investment magnitude is expected to be actualised and accelerated through this scheme; hence, leading to the organic and natural regeneration of the area and subsequently reverberate positivively on the socio-economic fabric on the broader southern part of the island.

The document was prepared after consultations with the private sector, public sector: Economic Development Board (EDB), Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of National Infrastructure and Community Development, and civic organisations: ECOSUD, Mahebourg Otentik, and by combining previous recommendations made available through documents, press articles and policies and agendas.

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REFERENCES 1. Ernest; Young. Cultural times: The first global map of culture and creative industries. CISAC: 2015. 2. Bowitz, E.; Ibenholt, K. Economic impacts of cultural heritage - research and perspectives. In Working Paper, Econ, Ed. Econ Analysis: Oslo, 2006. 3. Vegheș, C. Cultural heritage, sustainable development and inclusive growth: Global lessons for the local communities under a marketing approach. European Journal of Sustainable Development 2018, 7, 349-360. 4. OECD. Culture and local development: A framework for creating capacities at the local level; OECD: 2018. 5. Lekaota, L. Impacts of world heritage sites on local communities in the indian ocean region. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure 2018, 7, 1-10. 6. Intellectual Property Watch. Brief: Unesco report on globalisation of cultural trade. http://www.ip- watch.org/2016/03/15/unesco-report-on-globalisation-of-cultural-trade/ (14th Mar 2019), 7. PWC. A comprehensive analysis and review of investment, production and export incentives in malawi; Price Waterhouse Coopers: Blantyre, Malawi, 2016. 8. Crane, B.; Albrecht, C.; Duffin, K.M.; Albrecht, C. China's special economic zones: An analysis of policy to reduce regional disparities. Regional Studies, Regional Science 2018, 5, 98-107. 9. Chakraborty, T.; Kathuria, V.; Gundimeda, H. Have the special economic zones succeeded n attracting fdi? Analysis for india. Theoritical Economics Letters 2017, 7, 623-642. 10. . Budget speech 2018-2019: Pursuing our transformative journey; Government of Mauritius: Mauritius, 2018. 11. Sinenko, O.A. Methods of assessing of tax incentives effectiveness in special economic zones: An analytical overview. Journal of Tax Reform 2016, 2, 168-178. 12. Engman, M.; Onodera, O.; Pinali, E. Export processing zones: Past and future role in trade and development. OECD, Ed. OECD Trade Policy Working Papers: 2007; p 51. 13. Carroll, S. Court upholds total conviction in 1999 'erika' oil spill. https://www.france24.com/en/20120925-france-appeals-court-upholds-total-conviction-1999-oil- spill-erika-environment-disaster-atlantic (11th Aug 2020), 14. Uria, D. British insurer faces $1b fine for prestige oil spill. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World- News/2017/11/15/British-insurer-faces-1B-fine-for-Prestige-oil-spill/1721510788116/ (11th Aug 2020), 15. Mozambique News Agency. Compensation for katina-p oil spill. http://www.poptel.org.uk/mozambique-news/newsletter/aim120.html (11th Aug 2020), 16. Senate. Oil pollution settlement. http://abacus.bates.edu/muskie- archives/ajcr/1969/Torrey%20Canyon%20Settlement.shtml#:~:text=LONDON%2C%20November%201 1.,southwest%20England%20in%20March%2C%201967. (11th Aug 2020), 17. Maritime Knowledge. Amaco cadiz oil spill: The largest loss of marine life ever. https://safety4sea.com/cm-amoco-cadiz-oil-spill-the-largest-loss-of-marine-life- ever/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=8f0e448aeb5b7a23e8ac5a55e55468d65f0420ae-1597140943-0- Acv3QVjs4P8nWTKNKM4WL_6m7OY4WhsV0cRkd2juRP2QTeceOj6id3xzKctVeDmCFQCl35agKKQhv9j Wqp4InHm-HdnG-kiKFRFwAaES_8A5jzaw01V4iXoRCZ6ZH31KqD0FDZSm3iByz8c6x6uKOSD8g- 1lGr85mco8VnZQcrb_O_QnDIkRvkHlZqI2AuaYGgg1Q-97_YgFaMSxV362P8IXC1MlQ-

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5uReqc2H2XMjXYTXF_PkT4xWFbSnQFyDOAJlWHu9dDfKnTn48dpKZjPBGxe9clMOd4QMbmBJSL8T0RU nliqtkl7mOg4X1Frmxv-t4W0FquY4OCPEBinBilZpyMGPeig6Fsr_wfnFJKe3tO (11th Aug 2020), 18. Langfitt, F. Supreme court cuts exxon valdez oil spill damages. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91891837#:~:text=Frank%20Langfitt%20disc usses%20Wednesday's%20ruling%20on%20'All%20Things%20Considered',- Listen%20Listen&text=After%20nearly%2020%20years%2C%20Exxon,damages%20to%20about%20% 24500%20million. (11th Aug 2020),

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