Urban Structure

 Unfortunately, Montego Bay is not a planned city. It has developed over time from Urban Sprawl. Unlike many planned urban centres, Montego Bay's development occurred randomly. Attention was not given to physical or social planning until the late 60's. Even then, no effort was made to carry out the plans of the one urban planner that was hired by the Jamaican government.

Most of the land in Montego Bay was owned by several wealthy families who controlled the land use and dispersal of it. Most rich families live on the outkirts of the city (10-15 minute drive to the city) while the poor live in the city. Unlike most planned cities where the upper class live in close proximity to the urban centre, Montego Bay forms the total opposite. The central business district is the hub of activity in Montego Bay. From the CBD (Central Business District), we move into the residential areas that are varied in social status. There is no set residential pattern that has been followed and so the following equation easily explains this; CBD-> poor + middle -> rich + hotels. This equation is debatable though since as was mentioned there is no set rule governing the design of the city.

The rapid growth of Montego Bay as a prospering tourist town, added to the problem of planning with the rise in establishments of squatter settlements. In order to ease the housing shortage in the city, housing schemes were implemented. These housing schemes are usually mass houses or apartments constructed on a low budget, and offered to low income families at an affordable price or mortgage plan. Public transportation is also a problem since it is privatized and poorly run. Poor road planning has caused major traffic problems for the small recreational city and has been the topic of controversy for some time.

With the assertive effort of the citizens of Montego Bay, the Jamaica Tourist Board and the hoteliers in Montego Bay a plan has been designed to improve the urban centre. The GMBA Plan seeks to equip Montego Bay to enter the 21st century full force and ready to take on the world.