Spent a couple of days in Exuma and Nassau and I have to say contractors and architects have destroyed pretty mush every built community in Nassau and if we don't stop them now they are going to do the same thing to up and coming communities like Exuma. We cannot simply let them continue to build commercial and residential buildings without setting aesthetic guidelines on what buildings and landscapes should look like.

I am never a fan of zoning regulations in particular with something as subjective as design but it is clear that the builders in our communities are pis poor and quite frankly have no taste. You don't have to be rich to build a duplex, house, office building that is aesthetically pleasing. You have to be smart though, and have pride in your work and I guess that is where the problem begins.

If you do have some design sense then I want a system in place that will let you do your own thing as long as it respects the standards set by either the government or community environment boards but if you about to build some garbage like the crap I saw the last couple of days then you have to come again until you comply with some minimum aesthetic guidelines.

I saw a commercial building in Georgetown where the base of the greek columns ( I don't know we like columns so much...dam) was too big for the porch it was standing on...who in the hell approve that...the fella who built it is considered a big time builder on the island at that...I wouldn't let him build my dog house. Lets get it together man. We getting to old for this.

you can get anything approved here in Exuma without regard to set backs, or covenants set by the developer. You have commercial buildings on single family residential lots and all kinds of other nonsense. No proper car parks, and I can go on and on.The problem is that town planning is populated by people who have a potential personal vested interests in projects going through and is made up mostly of builders and realters. An intelligently put together town planning board would consists of at least one acrchitect, a builder, an engineer, a sociologist/historian, in other words people who know what the hell they are doing. What a joke.

you can get anything approved here in Exuma without regard to set backs, or covenants set by the developer. You have commercial buildings on single family residential lots and all kinds of other nonsense. No proper car parks, and I can go on and on.The problem is that town planning is populated by people who have a potential personal vested interests in projects going through and is made up mostly of builders and realters. An intelligently put together town planning board would consists of at least one acrchitect, a builder, an engineer, a sociologist/historian, in other words people who know what the hell they are doing. What a joke.


The thing is in small communites like Exuma most Town Planning boards have people who have a personal vested interests at lest though as you have said those people are architects, builders, engineers, sociologists but most importantly the goal is to create a beautiful looking town. I can think of small communites in Palm Beach county for example that are quite nice.

The residents of Exuma have to ask themsleves, is the direction that the members of Town Planning are taking this community the right one? Clearly the answer is no. I mean when you look at the buildings that have been approved they are ugly. A beautiful island deserves beautiful buildings- period
The Four Seasons for example is beautiful ...the hotel was built by Bahamian hands...so Bahamian hands can build similiar structures in Exuma. Why has the community image pis poor when compared to the resort. What kind of MP would settle for that...ecpeacially since the people are working in Four Seasons everyday in well built beautiful buildings to go home to a plain square hot box, can't be a good feeling. I would prefer to live in the homes with the tall peaking thatched roofs that built by the generations before us ,they have much more character. It's time we set some standards.

You can never underestimate a liberal arts education it gives regular folks a sense of humanity broadens their minds and stuff to many techies I guess in Exuma government people who have no artistic sense.

FYI: Most of the projects are not managed by Bahamian Contractors and Architects.

Some of the things I have seen some architects design.....it looks like second grade. I hate that column ish too. Everything is very rigid....they don't serve much practicalty nor astetics. Obviously (and insanely) people look to Nassau as an example. It is an influence. Nassau should be an example...sure it should....an example of how not to develop a city. Or any town for that matter.

you mean like Atlantis? :voodoo:

Atlantis?.....More like New Providence.

The condition gets worse...and the people who are supposed to improve it is making it worse.

I am never a fan of zoning regulations

I depends specifically on what you mean. There are many people here opening shops and light industrial :what: in strictly residential neighbourhood where they are not supposed to be. Business always brings in traffic...of every kind. I have a different sence.... I'm more into planned communities, where you know where the commercial centers are, you dont have to be driving through other people's neighboorhood to get there. You always use the highways.

Nassau is an organic center, but in my opinion it is stuck.....between trying to renovate itself and trying to preserve. It can mix through restoration which is what part of the downtown redevelopment is all about. But for any city to get to become anew some things need to be tossed out. If local government does get to Nassau....town planning committees and all, it would be good for them to evaluate the early structures and see what is worth saving the the respective neighbourhoods, and what is taking up space. "Over the Hill" has great potential if redeveloped in my opinion. Some graet building allong blue hill and the other streets can be restored exactly like the National Art Gallery was. Add real green spaces (not just grass). Then something can be done with some roads....use bricks even. Tree lined streets. Imagine how much people would like to live there, and only 5 min drive to a 10 min walk to downtown!

FYI: Most of the projects are not managed by Bahamian Contractors and Architects.


When I find out who you is Marichal...
I ga expose you!
:gi:

Well said. New Providence Island is a little bit smaller than Manhattan island...their is no limit to what can be done. I am not calling for skyscrapers and stuff but with the right vision something can be done in the meantime we can not add to the mess that is already there.

Well said. New Providence Island is a little bit smaller than Manhattan island...their is no limit to what can be done. I am not calling for skyscrapers and stuff but with the right vision something can be done in the meantime we can not add to the mess that is already there.


When will development begin to stop being looked at as mucking things up, and we begin to take it as it is, with all of its faults and imperfections, because nothing is perfect!

When I find out who you is Marichal...
I ga expose you!
:gi:

:uh:

When will development begin to stop being looked at as mucking things up, and we begin to take it as it is, with all of its faults and imperfections, because nothing is perfect!


Development (or redevelopment) at least in this part of the world never considers taking things "as it is". But what can be done with it. Which is why its called development (or redevelopment)

Development (or redevelopment) at least in this part of the world never considers taking things "as it is". But what can be done with it. Which is why its called development (or redevelopment)


You beginin to even sound like Jesse!
Say that again in english!
:cool:

Should I even ask? oh what the hell

Jesse?

When will development begin to stop being looked at as mucking things up, and we begin to take it as it is, with all of its faults and imperfections, because nothing is perfect!



When developement stops mucking things up...development is good when done right...this is not service at a resturant where you can take it as it is...were talking about building communities...everyone else plans out communites why can't we? Name a city in London that justs "take it as it is" maybe he ghettos I expect greatness from the Bahamas nothing more nothing less.