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...........................................................................................................