1.0 Introduction
The most urban environment
in Guyana is the capital city Georgetown, with a population of 151,697
with a density of 40.4 people per hectare. In some parts it is a beautiful
city with avenues, trees and gardens inherited from the
colonial era. However being the centre for commerce, industry, administration
and residential use, it has several significant problems, mainly solid waste
management, poor infrastructure, high population density and
land use conflict.Other urban centres
in the country are New Amsterdam, Linden, Lethem, Anna Regina. Many of
these urban centres have issues similar to Georgetown, especially the issue
of solid waste.
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| Plate 1.
Downtown Georgetown - Main Street |
1.1 Solid
waste management
The city of Georgetown
churns out volumes of garbage daily, this is clear in locations of commerce
such as market places and locations occupied by vendors. The city needs
more up to date garbage collection methods and facilities. Location of
garbage disposal sites is also an issue, the identification of land fill
sites near or in the city is a standing issue between residents of the
city and the authorities, see plate 2. To cope with this problem the city uses
incineration, landfill sites, a paper recycling plant and recently started an
aggressive public awareness campaign.
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| Plate 2.
A site of illegally dumped garbage |
1.2
Land Use conflict
This is an issue though
out the country, in the city land use conflicts exist between land users
with commercial interests, residential interests, recreational and industrial
interests. One key issue is that of the squatters who reside upon city
reserves and private land, see plate 3. Recently the problem has begun
to receive attention from city authorities. There is also the issue of
vendors occupying critical locations such as roadsides and pavements to
set up their stalls and conduct business, this occupation has contributed
to traffic congestion in the immediate and not so immediate locations.
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| Plate 3.
A section in a squatting area in Georgetown |
1.3 Population density and infrastructure
The city has a high population density of
40.4 people per hectare. This is a result of many people moving into the
city in the search for jobs and generally a better standard of living.
The city itself was not designed for such a large population and has long
begun to show signs of stress in its infrastructure, such as on the roads,
sewerage systems, water and electricity supplies. This can be further extended
to the overcrowded schools, burdened hospitals and clinics. Also the level
and volume of waste generated has increased and thus putting added strain
on the solid waste management facilities. The high population density has
also put a strain on the land space in the city, more than one houses are
being built on lots designated for single homes. This has resulted in severe
overcrowding, and illegally constructed homes are functioning without the
necessary connections to sewerage systems, as well as electricity and water
supplies.
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