How GIS Can Support Solid Waste Management Efforts Post–Hurricane Melissa

For generations, homeownership has represented one of the most important aspirations for Jamaican families. A home is more than a physical structure; it provides security, stability, dignity, and a foundation for better lives and future opportunities. Secure housing enables families to build assets over time, strengthen community ties, and improve access to employment, education, healthcare, and other essential services (UN-Habitat, n.d.). Yet for many Jamaicans today, particularly young professionals and working families, homeownership is becoming increasingly difficult to attain as housing costs continue to outpace income growth. Public discussion often centres on mortgage rates, rising construction costs, or the availability of National Housing Trust (NHT) benefits. While these are important considerations, they represent only part of the challenge. Jamaica’s housing crisis is not solely an economic issue. It is also a social and spatial one. From the perspective of the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI), housing should not simply be viewed as the construction of buildings. It should be understood as an integral component of the broader urban system, connecting people with employment, transportation, infrastructure, public services, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. Where we build is therefore just as important as what we build. At MGI for example, we have mapped across Jamaica where people desire to live. Housing decisions must be informed by how communities function, not simply by where land is available (UN-Habitat, 2026). Adequate housing is more than a roof over one’s head. It is a foundation for health, education, dignity, safety and social inclusion, and a prerequisite for people to fully participate in social and economic life. Jamaica therefore requires housing reform that is informed by geospatial evidence and designed around the realities of how people live, work, travel, and adapt to an increasingly climate-exposed future. Housing Prices Are Outpacing Jamaican Incomes The widening gap between household incomes and housing prices has become one of the defining development challenges facing Jamaica. Although the country has achieved notable macroeconomic stability, housing affordability has continued to deteriorate as construction costs, insurance premiums, financing costs, labour shortages, and the cost of climate-resilient construction increasingly outpace wage growth (OECD, 2025; UN-Habitat, 2024). The result is a growing mismatch between the housing being produced and the purchasing power of the people it is intended to serve. Young professionals earning respectable salaries frequently find themselves unable to purchase homes within reasonable commuting distance of their workplaces. Developments offering modest two-bedroom homes can now exceed US$250,000, placing them beyond the reach of many middle-income households. This is not simply a matter of individual financial planning. It reflects a structural disconnect between income levels and the housing market. As UN-Habitat has consistently argued, adequate housing must be affordable, accessible, and connected to opportunities. Housing that consumes an unsustainable proportion of household income or forces families to sacrifice other basic needs cannot be considered truly affordable. The Geography of Housing Matters Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of Jamaica’s housing challenge is geography. Housing developments continue to emerge across the island, yet many are located increasingly far from the country’s primary employment centres. As housing near Kingston and other urban hubs becomes less attainable, workers are being pushed further from where they earn their livelihoods. This has significant consequences. Longer commuting distances increase transportation costs, contribute to traffic congestion, reduce family and leisure time, increase fuel consumption, and negatively affect productivity and overall quality of life. Geographers and urban planners have long recognised that accessibility is a critical component of urban development. Hansen’s (1959) pioneering work demonstrated that the ease with which people can reach employment, services, and other opportunities influences both land-use patterns and economic development. Building on this foundation, Geurs and van Wee (2004) argued that accessibility should be evaluated through the interaction of land use and transportation systems, emphasizing that planning for housing, transport, and economic activity must be integrated rather than undertaken in isolation. Modern Geographic Information Systems (GIS) now enable planners to measure travel times, evaluate accessibility to employment, identify underserved communities, and model the impacts of future development before construction even begins. Housing policy should therefore be guided not only by land availability, but also by how effectively residents can access employment, schools, healthcare, and public transportation” (Geurs & van Wee, 2004). Building More Homes Does Not Necessarily Solve the Problem Housing supply remains important, but supply alone is not enough. The more important question is whether the housing being delivered reflects the needs and purchasing power of Jamaican households. Can teachers, nurses, police officers, public servants, university graduates, consultants, and other young professionals realistically afford these developments without experiencing housing affordability stress or assuming unsustainable levels of debt? When the housing market consistently produces homes that are beyond the reach of moderate-income households, the issue ceases to be merely an economic one and becomes a social challenge. Households are forced to delay homeownership, postpone starting families, remain in overcrowded living arrangements, relocate further from employment opportunities, or migrate altogether in search of more affordable living conditions. These outcomes can weaken social cohesion, increase commuting burdens, reduce disposable income, and contribute to widening spatial inequalities across urban regions (Stone, 2006; UN-Habitat, 2020). From a geospatial perspective, the consequences are equally significant. As workers move further from employment centres in search of affordable housing, cities experience longer commuting distances, increased traffic congestion, greater transport costs, higher greenhouse gas emissions, and growing pressure on infrastructure. These patterns reinforce what urban economists describe as the jobs–housing mismatch, where affordable housing and employment opportunities become increasingly disconnected geographically (Kain, 1968; Geurs & van Wee, 2004). Housing policy must therefore move beyond simply increasing the number of housing units. It must ensure that affordable housing is delivered in locations that provide reasonable access to employment, transportation, education, healthcare, and other essential services. From MGI’s perspective, the question is not simply whether houses are being built, but whether the spatial relationship between housing, employment, transportation, public services, and environmental risk creates communities that are socially inclusive, economically productive, and environmentally resilient. Climate Change Is Reshaping Housing

The Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) was pleased to contribute to the 2026 Emancipation Lecture, hosted by the Churches Emancipation Lecture Committee (CELC) at Webster Memorial United Church under the theme: “Disasters, the Built Environment and Emancipation.” The distinguished lecturer for 2026 was Professor Carol Archer of the University of Technology, Jamaica, who delivered a thought-provoking presentation examining the historical, social, environmental, and spatial dimensions of vulnerability and resilience in Jamaica. Professor Archer’s lecture explored the meaning of disasters, the built environment, and the continuing relevance of emancipation within the Jamaican context. She examined the role of the church in social development, the impacts of climate change, disaster recovery challenges, and the disproportionate impacts of disasters on vulnerable groups, including low-income communities, women, children, and the elderly. Drawing on the devastating impacts of Hurricane Melissa, she highlighted how existing social and economic inequalities often determine who is most exposed and least able to recover following disasters. A central theme of Professor Archer’s presentation was the relationship between emancipation and land ownership. She emphasized that while emancipation in 1838 ended slavery, it did not guarantee access to land ownership for formerly enslaved Africans. The continued challenges associated with land access and secure tenure have contributed to inequality, informal settlements, and increased vulnerability to environmental hazards. She argued that land reform remains essential to achieving true freedom, resilience, and sustainable development in Jamaica. Professor Archer highlighted: “Legal access to land is limited and has contributed to inequality, informal settlements, and greater vulnerability to disasters, making land reform an important part of achieving true freedom and resilience.” MGI extends sincere appreciation to Professor Hopeton Dunn of The University of the West Indies, Mona, Chairman of the Churches Emancipation Lecture Committee, for inviting MGI to participate in this important national conversation. MGI Showcases the Role of Geospatial Technology in Disaster Resilience As part of the event, MGI showcased how Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), GeoAI, and spatial data support disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. Participants engaged with MGI’s work in understanding and managing Jamaica’s natural hazards, including: MGI displayed its Natural Hazards Tracker Web Map, which provides access to historical and spatial information on hazards affecting Jamaica. The exhibition also featured interactive mapping of Hurricane Melissa’s 2025 track and impact, highlighting the value of geospatial technologies in understanding hazard exposure and supporting evidence-based decision-making. Historical hazard information was also presented, including the impacts of the 1907 Kingston Earthquake, demonstrating how lessons from past disasters can inform present-day preparedness and resilience planning. Visitors also received information on earthquake and hurricane preparedness, mitigation strategies, and the importance of using data-driven approaches to reduce disaster risk. MGI highlighted how geospatial technologies can support governments, communities, and organizations through improved hazard mapping, vulnerability assessments, emergency planning, and post-disaster assessments. Building Jamaica’s Capacity Through GIS, Drones, and Digital Innovation MGI also highlighted its capacity-building programmes designed to strengthen Jamaica’s disaster resilience. These include training in: Through these programmes, MGI continues to support institutions and communities in developing the technical capacity needed to better understand risks, prepare for disasters, and make informed decisions. Speaking after the event, MGI Executive Director Mr. Luke Buchanan who attended the lecture emphasized the importance of connecting technology, data, and community resilience: “Disasters are not only natural events; they are shaped by where people live, the resources they have access to, and the systems available to support them. At MGI, we believe that geospatial technology provides the evidence needed to understand vulnerability, target interventions, and build a more resilient Jamaica. By combining GIS, AI, drones, and community-based data, we can help decision-makers move from reacting to disasters toward proactively reducing risk.” MGI remains committed to advancing the use of geospatial intelligence, innovation, and capacity development to support Jamaica’s disaster resilience agenda and contribute to a future where communities are better prepared, informed, and equipped to withstand environmental challenges. #MGI #GIS #GeospatialTechnology #DisasterResilience #ClimateAction #Jamaica #HazardMapping #ResilientJamaica #DigitalInnovation #SustainableDevelopment Contact us for more information:Email: info@monagis.comWeb: www.monagis.comPhone: (876) 671-7001 / (876) 816-8791Socials: @mgimonaSend us a quick message: https://main.monagis.com/contact-us/

The Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, wrapped up a successful 2-day Drone Training Programme with the team at PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL)! Participants got hands-on with everything from drone assembly and flight planning to live piloting, learning how UAV technology applies to their field of work. This drone training will allow the participants to improve airfield monitoring, infrastructure inspection, security surveillance, emergency response etc. MGI continues to lead the way in drone technologies, geospatial innovation, consultancy and data analytics across Jamaica and the Caribbean, turning cutting-edge tech into real, practical skills for the people driving critical industries forward. Congratulations to the PACKAL team members who completed the programme and earned their certificates! This is exactly the kind of hands-on capacity-building we love bringing to organizations ready to innovate. Is your team ready to soar? Whether you in aviation, agriculture, environmental management, GIS, or beyond, MGI’s drone training programme can be tailored to your needs, from a focused 2-day intensive to a deep-dive 5-day programme. Reach out to us for more information. MonaGIS #MGI #DroneTraining #UAV #Jamaica #Innovation #Geospatial #PACKAL #UWIMona #Drone #UWI Contact us for more information:Email: info@monagis.comWeb: www.monagis.comPhone: (876) 671-7001 / (876) 816-8791Socials: @mgimonaSend us a quick message: https://main.monagis.com/contact-us/

Brightstar Lottery Coding & Robotics Rock! Camp 2026 is proudly celebrating its 6th year of transforming lives through technology education. Through our longstanding partnership with Brightstar Lottery Jamaica, the Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI), at The University of the West Indies Mona Campus, continues to design and deliver this flagship two-week programme, introducing young people from Trench Town to coding, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging technologies. As highlighted in today’s Jamaica Observer, the programme has become so impactful that even adults in the community have expressed interest in participating. For the past six years, MGI has been at the forefront of developing the curriculum, training students, and creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire innovation and critical thinking. Our team of software developers, GIS professionals, drone specialists, and STEM educators guide campers as they program robots, explore AI concepts, and solve real-world challenges using technology. More than just learning to code, students are building confidence, creativity, teamwork, and the skills needed for tomorrow’s digital economy. We are deeply grateful to Brightstar Lottery Jamaica, PROComm, our tutors, volunteers, other stakeholders and the parents who have supported this initiative over the past six years. Together, we are opening doors to new opportunities, inspiring the next generation of innovators, and demonstrating how partnerships can empower communities through education. Here is to another successful year of Coding & Robotics Rock! Camp. See Jamaica Observer article here: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2026/07/22/ai-robotics-camp-opens-doors-trench-town-youth/ #CodingAndRoboticsRock #BrightstarLottery #MGI #6YearsStrong #STEMEducation #ArtificialIntelligence #Robotics #Coding #YouthEmpowerment #TrenchTown #Jamaica #FutureReady #MGI #MonaGIS #UWI #UWIMona Contact us for more information:Email: info@monagis.comWeb: www.monagis.comPhone: (876) 671-7001 / (876) 816-8791Socials: @mgimona