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13

August - September 2017

| VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica

O

n Friday, June 30, 2017 the University of

Technology, Jamaica signed a contract

agreement with Habitat for Humanity to provide

oversight for the administration and analysis of data

related to the Naggo Head Redevelopment Plan. This

plan is being executed under phase two of the Building

Resilience and Capacities against Emerging Disasters

(BRACED) Project.

The Project provides assistance to communities

that are vulnerable to natural hazards and disasters,

by improving the resilience of their infrastructure.

The geographic area included in the study is the

Naggo Head District which is part of the Portmore

Municipality, St. Catherine. UTech, Jamaica’s efforts

in this project are led by Dr. Carol Archer, Associate

Professor, Faculty of The Built Environment. Students

from the Faculty of The Built Environment have been

participating in the project through the administration

of surveys, conducting a health audit and preparation

of the transportation and economic development plan,

and community mapping.

T

he University of Technology, Jamaica through its Faculty of The Built

Environment is participating in a 3D project being implemented by

JAS in collaboration with the Trinityville Area Development Committee

Benevolent Society (TADCBS); Rural Agricultural Development Authority

(RADA) in St Thomas. The project is expected to benefit residents in St

Thomas though the implementation of 3D Model for Disaster Risks to

reduce loss of crops, livestock and homes, such as the damage caused by

flood rains in March and April of this year.

A total of 6,000 residents in 12 farming communities, including Hillside,

Somerset and Fonthill in Trinityville, St Thomas, are expected to benefit,

Janet Finnikin, manager of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) for the

parish of St Thomas, said.

The model which is expected to help fill the information and knowledge

gaps related to disaster risks in Trinityville was showcased at the Denbigh

Agricultural Show held in Clarendon in August 2017.

“This participatory 3D model approach has empowered community

members to actively explore and pinpoint the disaster risks on the 3D virtual

and physical maps,” Finnikin stated. “We initiated the research in July,

as community members, guided representatives of JAS, TADCBS, RADA,

and UTech students and lecturers through the disaster-prone areas of the

12 districts in Trinityville. The team from UTech facilitated the mapping of

geographic coordinates; and, along with the residents, identified mitigation

and adaptation solutions which have been included in this 3D model

initiative,” Finnikin explained.

UTech, Jamaica Signs Agreement with Habitat for

Humanity to Build Community Resilience in Naggo

Head, Portmore

St Thomas Residents to Benefit from Disaster Risk Project

Dr. Paulette Griffiths (3rd left), Project Manager, Habitat for Humanity, Jamaica and Prof. Stephen

Vasciannie, CD (right), President, UTech, Jamaica shake hands following the signing of the Agreement

between the two institutions. Participating in the signing from left, are Dr. Garfield Young, Dean, Faculty of

The Built Environment, Mrs. Michelle Beckford, Corporate Communications Manager, UTech, Jamaica who

witnessed the signing and Dr. Carol Archer, Associate Professor, Faculty of the Built Environment.

Rudolph Downer participates in the construction of the 3D Model for Disaster Risk

Management Project at the Faculty of The Built Environment (FOBE), University of

Technology, Jamaica while Madison Powell, student, FOBE provides guidance.