The Policy Development Plan 2017-2021

National urban policy type
Partial - National Development Policy
Policy temporality
Short -term
Suriname

The Development Plan 2017-2021 (OP –Dutch abbreviation– 2017-2021) must be seen as providing
a framework for the policy programs and measures in the coming five years: the plan lays down
where Suriname wants to be in 2021, and considering where we are now, how to arrive at that
destination. In a technical sense it formulates the development goals and outcome for at least the
coming five years and states the principles that will be followed in the development process.

(Technical note)

Country
Date
Validity date

( ! ) This content is available only in the original language.

Institutionality

Formulating Institution

Stichting Planningbureau Suriname

Executive Body

Stichting Planningbureau Suriname (National Planning Bureau), Central Government, Surinamese Monitoring and Evaluation Institute, Regional Administrative Bodies, corresponding Government Ministries 

Panorama

Main challenge

"The regional distribution of the population presents two major challenges to nationa and regional planners:
1. The concentration of the population in a handful of urban centers in the coastal strip (…). 
2.The expected rise in sea levels and the need to establish the large, urban population centers deeper inland." (p. 123-124)

"The development in the lasy two decades show that the economic activity has been insufficiently capable of pushing back the desired urban concentrations, especially further inland" (p.125)

Urban focus

Urban dimension of policy

Found in: Chapter VII Regional and Spatial Planning

Urban strategic objectives

"VII.2. Planning of Growth Poles (Urban Centers)
In this planning period, based on the participatory model and using the modern planning techniques, the strategic plans for four urban centers in Suriname (…) will be prepared." (p.125)

"VIII.1.4. Housing  
The strategic goal of this sector is that:
Identified target groups, in accordance with their ability to pay, realize their housing needs through rental and owner-occupied housing, where necessary, supported by participation in special public or community programs, which are facilitated or implemented as part of the national housing strategy." (p.137)

Action against climate change

Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience

"IX.3. Sea level rise 
(…) the strategic approach of this phenomenon is as follows:
The shores and coast are sustanble repaired and/or protected from the effects of sea level rise and banks of meandering rivers are protected" (p.153-4)

"Suriname will develop a 'disaster reduction strategy' for the specific planning regions which, as regards the elementary stages and processes can be distinguished in the development, prevention and the response to disasters and will thus specify measures and provisions. It involved the following basic steps/processes: 1. Preparation and readiness 2. National Coordination for Disaster Response 3. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction 4. Networking with the international and regional community for technical assistance and to secure funds for disaster response." (p.157)

Focus

Main goal

"If asked what the OP 2017-2021 envisages, we might say that there are two interrelated main goals: 1) Strenghtening the development capacity of our country and 2) achieving sustainable development by combining economic and social development in such manner and harmonizing it with such responsible use of the environment, that current growth does not restric the future development opportunities or makes these impossible." (no page number,Technical Note)

The OP 2017-2012 must:
1) Serve as a guide (…)
2) Accomodate (…) 
3) Mobilize and direct. (…) 
(no page number, Technical Note)

Cross-cutting principles

" III.4. Principles and the Normative Approach of the Development Process
1. The Development Planning must:
a) primarily plan the development of the Surinamese and their (economic) activities starting from the paojected needs and aspirations for a better life in a just society
b) plan activities that could be kick-started and/or guided by foreifn investors and encourage tha actual operations in such a manner that they contribute optimally to 
i. industrial development of Suriname (...) 
ii. direct and sustainable employement (...) 
iii. government revenues and foreign exchange earnings 
iv. skills of the workers as well as increasing knowledge and the development of technology in Surinamese knowledge institutions and companies; increase in strenghtening of local communities, the locally colonies and enternpreneurship"
c) Participation and consensus" (p.36)

Strategic objectives

III.3.The Four Pillars of the Development Plan 2017-2021 and Development Goals
1st Pillar: Strengthening Development Capacity 
2nd Pillar Economic Growth and Diversification 
3rd Pillar: Social Progress
4th Pillar: Utilization and Protection of the Environment 
(no page number, Chapter III)

 

Monitoring and tracking

Representative sample of Cities

"For the exact location of these urban concentrations, research and consultations will have to be conducted, but based on the available information, it can already now be stated that it concerns the concentratios of population in the following regions: 
-    the Brokopondo area (…) 
-    the Marowijne area (…) 
-    the Paranam area (…)
-    the Nickerie area (…)" (p.125)