Georgetown to be transformed into sustainable ‘Garden City’

Guyana’s capital Georgetown will be transformed into a sustainable “Garden City” that preserves its heritage while embracing modern development, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said on Tuesday.

Unveiling the City Revival Plan at a press briefing at the Office of the President, Ali said the initiative forms part of a wider national strategy for sustainable urban development, starting with the capital and surrounding region.

“The mismanagement and inefficiency through which the city is managed can no longer be tolerated. It is time for us, as citizens and as a country, to take charge of the situation. We are advancing the rescue of Georgetown,” the president said.

Over the past five years, the government has invested billions in drainage upgrades, road improvements, housing expansion and construction of a high-span bridge over the Demerara River. The new plan, launched in collaboration with the King’s Foundation, will build on those projects.

The initiative envisions upgraded recreational spaces and heritage sites, including the old Transport and Harbours building and the train station, which will host a new museum and training hub. It also covers modernisation of the Stabroek waterfront and market, tourism-focused drainage canal upgrades, restoration of urban landscapes, and the Lamaha Railway Courtyard project.

Other elements include agro-integrated growth clusters, green infrastructure, expanded transport links and revitalisation of the civic core around Stabroek Market and Water Street.

The president said the plan aligns with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 to ensure “harmony, sustainability, and inclusivity” in the city’s future.

Key priorities include housing expansion, waste management, flood resilience, heritage protection and the development of a modern transport system to ease congestion.

Stakeholder involvement from the private sector, municipal council, ministries and civil society will be critical.

“We are progressing with a clearly defined plan for the city. Every stakeholder will play a critical role in advancing this transformation of our capital. Georgetown must be repositioned as one of the finest cities in the world,” Ali said.

Beyond the capital, the government also plans demonstration projects such as an outer Georgetown low-carbon market town and the Silicon City master plan, both designed to pilot models of sustainable urban growth.

“These initiatives are about infrastructure and fostering pride, efficiency, and a renewed identity for the capital city,” the head of state said.