UDC signs contract for Kingston Harbour Walk Segment Two design studies

KINGSTON — The Urban Development Corporation on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 signed a contract for feasibility studies and detailed design for Segment Two of the Kingston Harbour Walk, a major step toward a continuous, climate-resilient waterfront from downtown Kingston to Port Royal.

The ceremony was held at the Caribbean Cement Company Limited staff sports club and wellness centre. Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, who was marking his birthday, joined Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, State Minister Donovan Williams, East Kingston and Port Royal MP Phillip Paulwell, Kingston Mayor Councillor Andrew Swaby, UDC chairman Norman Brown, UDC general manager Robert Hunigan, Caribbean Development Bank representative Dr. Orande Small, and Caribbean Cement managing director Jorge Martinez.

UDC chairman Norman Brown said Segment Two covers about 10 kilometres from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to Harbour View, financed by the Government of Jamaica and the Caribbean Development Bank. The work will produce the technical blueprint for implementation. Phase One is already under way through the Kingston Waterfront Improvement Project, led by the UDC with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund and World Bank financing. Later phases are to extend along the Palisadoes to historic Port Royal.

Dr. Orande Small said the full Harbour Walk vision spans roughly 25 kilometres. The Raytown-to-Harbour View section advancing now is expected to benefit about 32,000 residents directly and deliver wider gains to more than 660,000 people in the Kingston metropolitan area. The CDB is backing Segment Two with a US$1.4 million grant from its Special Development Fund, with support from the Government of Italy and the European Union’s Caribbean Action for Resilience Enhancement programme.

A joint venture of Cityforest, Felix and Aqua Antara will undertake shoreline and hydrographic studies, urban and stakeholder analysis, environmental and social impact assessments, climate risk work, engineering investigations, detailed design, and cost estimates. Martinez pledged Caribbean Cement’s continued partnership along the Rockfort, Harbour View and wider Kingston waterfront corridor.

Holness framed the project as reclaiming Kingston Harbour — the world’s seventh-largest natural harbour — after decades of underuse. Citing Hurricane Melissa, he said Jamaica must rebuild better, not merely restore what existed. He also linked waterfront renewal to wider ambitions, including Jamaica’s interest in co-hosting the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and planned national stadium works, and confirmed SPARK 2 funding of $25 billion for 35 corridors, including upgrades along Sir Florizel Glasspole Boulevard and Windward Road, plus further Port Royal access and tourism infrastructure.

Hunigan closed by recalling that Kingston waterfront renewal was first envisioned in 1968 under then Finance and Planning Minister Edward Seaga, saying the signing delivers on that long-standing promise.