Blue Lagoon Heritage Concept Plan

Abstract

This paper, documenting current issues facing Blue Lagoon – environmentally, economically and socially, was a collaborative effort spurred by a vision from Ms. Adrienne Joan Duperly. The Concept Plan outlines potential initiatives which could be undertaken to rejuvenate Heritage and maintain the environmental integrity of the Blue Lagoon itself, as well as provide sustainable economic initiatives for the residential population.

Ms. Duperly had a vision to construct a document to generate discussion at Blue Lagoon Summit 2010 encompassing Blue Lagoon area and adjacent communities in Portland.

The Summit themes of Land, Wood, and Water are the focal point for all potential initiatives and addressing them should centre on the preservation of these aspects. All stakeholders will be encouraged to participate in developing a plan to add value to the environment and local community.

An initiative which would see people maximizing earnings but further harming the land, wood, and water surrounding the Blue Lagoon may seem favourable; however other factors must be considered. If an initiative offers a significant financial return, but only offers short term gains before the natural surroundings decline to a level where people stop coming, it cannot be considered sustainable. There must be a mix between enhancing the environmental integrity of the area and the creation of local employment opportunities.

Preserving the Blue Lagoon can be the catalyst for sustainably developing the community as a whole, and that is the goal of the Blue Lagoon Heritage Concept Plan.

An array of research undertakings from personal interviews, online resources, journal articles, and text books were used to develop this paper. A major resource was a San San and adjacent communities report done by Fredrick Zenny.

On July 28, 2010 the Executive Director of Jamaica National Heritage Trust endorsed the Blue Lagoon concept as presented.

Keywords: Blue Lagoon, Jamaica, Preservation of Heritage Sites, Sustainable, Development