Trinidad & Tobago Society of Planners

24/09/2026

Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry (JCC) president Fazir Khan is warning that Government’s proposed amendments to the public procurement law could weaken safeguards intended to protect taxpayers’ money, even as he acknowledges that the current system needs reform.

For more: https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/jcc-warns-changes-could-weaken-safeguards-6.2.2673601.c48eaf05ec

16/09/2026

attention TTSP members, and the wider planning community

We invite you to participate in this Virtual Conference, as part of
One UWI | Sustainable Futures

Please see conference details below

Sustainabilty isn't just important, it's necessary.

12/09/2026

10/09/2026

Building structural resilience against climate impacts forms the immediate priority for regional markets.

Pointing to T&T’s national adaptation plan, Howard highlighted key sectors where targeted capital is urgently needed, including water management systems, climate-smart agriculture and resilient public infrastructure.

Financial solutions in this space centre on practical, localised risk reduction, such as constructing flood-resilient civil works and strengthening grid resilience through sustainable building design.

As cli­mate vul­ner­a­bil­i­ties deep­en across the Caribbean, re­gion­al fi­nan­cial in­sti­tu­tions, cap­i­tal mar­ket op­er­a­tors, and mort­gage lenders are fun­da­men­tal­ly re­think­ing how cap­i­tal is de­ployed across small is­land de­vel­op­ing states.

10/09/2026

Extracting value from research, beyond the knowledge created is important for the Caribbean. Small states cannot afford significant amounts of knowledge to remain disconnected from practice. In an environment of limited resources, investment in research must contribute to building the Caribbean’s capacity to better understand the challenges faced and to address these holistically.

There have been re­peat­ed calls for greater at­ten­tion to be paid to re­search in small is­land de­vel­op­ing states (SIDS) in­clud­ing the Caribbean.

10/09/2026

Planning for Growth

Aisha Donaldson, senior land-use planner and head of the Policy Development Unit at the Town and Country Planning Division, highlighted the regulatory changes that may be needed to support increased housing development.
Report Ad

Developers are already approaching the division about measures such as smaller residential lots, which could help increase the supply of housing while making better use of limited land resources.

But Donaldson stressed that increased housing cannot come at the expense of proper planning.

Flooding, land suitability and the location of communities have to be considered before development takes place, rather than being addressed after problems emerge.

The division is currently working on two local area plans and is engaging communities as part of the planning process.

That community engagement is intended to ensure that planning decisions reflect the needs of the people who will actually live in the areas being developed.
Report Ad

Donaldson also raised the need to update the National Spatial Development Strategy, which was completed around 2013.

More than a decade later, she believes the strategy needs to be reviewed to reflect changes in the country’s development needs, although many of its original principles remain relevant.

The strategy identifies areas for growth and provides a framework for determining where development should take place.

Trinidad and To­ba­go’s ap­proach to hous­ing, in­fra­struc­ture and eco­nom­ic de­vel­op­ment needs a ma­jor re­think, with greater in­te­gra­tion be­tween Gov­ern­ment agen­cies and a stronger link be­tween where peo­ple live, where they work and where in­vest­ment is di...

03/09/2026

Attention TTSP members and the wider planning community.

Earlier this week, the Barbados Town Planning Society sent an email expressing their condolences for the passing of Professor Mycoo. Please see below.

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues of Professor Michelle Mycoo,

On behalf of the Barbados Town Planning Society (BTPS), I extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Professor Michelle Mycoo.

Professor Mycoo was an inspiring champion for Caribbean urban planning and climate resilience. Her pioneering scholarship, dedication to mentoring, and global advocacy for Small Island Developing States leave a lasting mark on our region and profession.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones and the entire UWI community during this difficult time.

With deepest sympathy,

Andrew Gill
President

Barbados Town Planning Society (BTPS)

14/08/2026

Funeral Details for Professor Michelle Mycoo

Date: Monday 17th August
Time: 10.30 a.m.
Location: St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church
Address: George Cabral Street, St. James

12/08/2026

The Trinidad and Tobago Society of Planners (TTSP) marks the passing of Professor Michelle Mycoo, a force in urban planning and global climate action.

At The UWI St. Augustine, Professor Mycoo was responsible for training and mentoring multiple generations of Caribbean planners. Her students form the backbone of our regional profession, carrying forward her high standards of practice and research.

Her reach extended far beyond regional borders. Professor Mycoo was a globally recognized voice for coastal urban centers and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). From her role as an IPCC Coordinating Lead Author to her appointment as Vice President of the UNESCO MOST Scientific Advisory Committee, she actively translated spatial planning into global climate policy. Her foundational work on the blue urban economy remains a blueprint for coastal adaptation worldwide.

The TTSP extends our profound condolences to her family and colleagues. Her lessons live on in the spaces we plan and the communities we protect.

10/08/2026

Global oceans recorded their hottest July on record, partly fuelled by developing El Niño conditions, as wildfires continue to ravage western Europe.