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Revised Master Development Plan for Ambergris Caye

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Revised Master Development Plan for Ambergris Caye REVISED MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR AMBERGRIS CAYE Ambergris Caye, Belize. Central America Prepared December, 2009 By Malikah Cardona, Physical Planner Kamilah Cardona, Civil Engineer For The Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute Table of Contents Foreword........................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgement .........................................................................................................................ii Introduction ...................................................................................................................................iii Chapter 1: Community Profile..................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Historic Overview............................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Geography of Ambergris Caye ................................................................................ 2 1.1.2 The Barrier Reef ...................................................................................................... 3 1.1.3 Wildlife ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.1.4 Vegetation................................................................................................................ 4 1.1.5 Archeological Sites .................................................................................................. 5 1.1.6 Economic Development ........................................................................................... 7 1.2 Opportunities and Constraints......................................................................................... 7 1.2.1 Geographic constraints ............................................................................................ 7 1.2.2 Environmental Constraints....................................................................................... 8 1.2.3 Economic Constraints .............................................................................................. 9 1.2.4 Developmental Constraints.................................................................................... 10 1.3 Public Participation........................................................................................................ 10 Chapter 2: Analysis of Existing Conditions ............................................................................... 13 2.1 Population, Housing and the Economy ......................................................................... 13 2.1.1 Current Population ................................................................................................. 13 2.1.2 New Households and Housing Needs .................................................................. 13 2.1.3 Employment and Economic Activity....................................................................... 15 2.1.4 Projection Indices................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Tourism Statistics .......................................................................................................... 17 2.2.1 Number of Visitors ................................................................................................. 17 2.2.2 Tourist Expenditure................................................................................................ 18 2.2.3 Accommodation and Facilities ............................................................................... 19 2.2.3.1 Nature of Hotel Accommodation ................................................................... 19 2.2.3.2 Quantity of Accommodations ........................................................................ 20 2.2.3.3 Holiday and Retirement Homes .................................................................... 21 2.2.4 Tourist Attractions .................................................................................................. 21 2.2.4.1 Beaches ........................................................................................................ 21 2.2.4.2 Reefs............................................................................................................. 21 2.2.4.3 Fishing........................................................................................................... 22 2.2.4.4 Other Attractions ........................................................................................... 22 2.3 Land Use ....................................................................................................................... 22 2.3.1 Urban Structure and Land Use .............................................................................. 22 2.3.1.1 The Core ....................................................................................................... 22 2.3.1.2 North of the Town Core................................................................................. 23 2.3.1.3 South of the Town Core ................................................................................ 23 2.3.2 Public Facilities and Amenities .............................................................................. 24 2.3.3 Traffic and Roads................................................................................................... 24 2.4 Infrastructure ................................................................................................................. 25 2.4.1 Water ..................................................................................................................... 25 2.4.2 Sewerage............................................................................................................... 25 2.4.3 Solid Waste............................................................................................................ 26 2.4.3.1 Solid Waste Management Plan..................................................................... 26 2.4.4 Electricity................................................................................................................ 27 2.4.5 Communications .................................................................................................... 28 2.4.5.1 Air Transport ................................................................................................. 28 2.4.5.2 Sea Transport ............................................................................................... 28 2.5 Natural Resources......................................................................................................... 29 2.5.1 Geology and Morphology....................................................................................... 29 2.5.2 Hydrogeology......................................................................................................... 30 2.5.3 Environmental Analysis.......................................................................................... 30 2.5.3.1 Dredging........................................................................................................ 30 2.5.3.2 Beach Erosion............................................................................................... 31 2.5.3.3 Mangroves .................................................................................................... 32 2.5.3.4 The Barrier Reef............................................................................................ 32 2.5.3.5 Especially Sensitive Ecologies...................................................................... 33 Chapter 3: Statement of Issues, Goals and Recommendations............................................... 34 3.1 Urban Structure and Land Use...................................................................................... 34 3.1.1 General Land Use.................................................................................................. 34 3.1.1.1 Issues............................................................................................................ 34 3.1.1.2 Goals............................................................................................................. 34 3.1.1.3 Recommendations ........................................................................................ 35 3.1.2 The Town Core ...................................................................................................... 35 3.1.2.1 Issues............................................................................................................ 35 3.1.2.2 Goals............................................................................................................. 36 3.1.2.3 Recommendations ........................................................................................ 36 3.1.3 South Ambergris Caye........................................................................................... 36 3.1.3.1 Issues............................................................................................................ 36 3.1.3.2 Goals............................................................................................................. 37 3.1.3.3 Recommendations ........................................................................................ 37 3.1.4 North Ambergris Caye ........................................................................................... 38 3.1.4.1 Issues...........................................................................................................
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