The public housing project where reggae legend Bob Marley lived is being re-envisioned as a historic site and tourist area. But high crime in the depressed neighborhood poses a challenge to dreams of a tourist-friendly shrine to Marley.
"26 years after the death of the reggae superstar, Trenchtown, which gave birth to reggae music and its legend, is trying to showcase its most prominent resident's legacy."
"It is all happening in the 'government yard', the public housing project where Marley lived and which he sang about famously in his songs."
"This yard - a warren of 16 cramped rooms where Marley and his friends lived - are being restored by Jamaican architect Christopher Whyms-Stone with help from donations from the British, German, Canadian and American embassies."
"It is not easy to attract visitors to the 'culture yard', as the Marley home is now called."
"Trenchtown's image as a violent neighbourhood in crime-ridden Kingston scares away most tourists, who would otherwise like to make the place their main stop on the Bob Marley memory lane trip."
"'The problem is wooing the local tour operators to come to the area. The way to counter [the image] is through reducing crime and by massive advertising,' says Mr Whyms-Stone."
FULL STORY: Jamaican ghetto upholds Marley legacy
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)