What makes a successful Central Business District?

When you think of a strong and vibrant Central Business District, you think of tall buildings, crowded streets full of cars, sidewalks full of people, and a synergy all of its own.

Cities like the one pictured (Seattle) are always evolving.  They started off very humble beginnings, and then become world class cities.  For me all strong cities must have a strong and vibrant downtown. 

One key element for Gonave is to turn the entire island into one city.  Given the small island size, and the steep terrain, it would serve best as one city with many neighborhoods.  In a previous blog I wrote about focus cities, which in themselves are not cities, but more of a economic focus of one neighborhood.  Gonave also would need to become a Special Administrative Region and govern itself and build it's own economic policy.  If Gonave does nothing or becomes a nation, like some propose, then it does very little to move the island forward, and could move the island backwards.  Turning the island to a tourist destination feeds the pockets of people who will never invest in the future of the island or the residents on the island.

This is why Gonave should focus on building it's core, and form a Central Business District.  This district combined with a focus city would create a small economy on the island.  The CBD would initially be an area for office space, residential housing, financial, and transit.  The focus city would be more of the industrial zone, equipped with various factories. 

One thing is for sure, Gonave has a few choices.  The easy choice is to do nothing.  The settling option would be to form a nation or to have the island carved up for natural or tourist resources.  The best option would be to petition the Haitian government to allow the people on Gonave to form their own semi-autonomous region.  From there establishing good business, tax, and economic plans which will foster foreign development.  Gonave you have a choice!

Go Gonave.

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