North-West Quadrant

The North-West Quadrant is 9,347.73 acres in total land area, and is the primary destination of the rural and urban migration, including the Gros Islet and Castries regions. Fifty-Five percent of Saint Lucia's population resides in this Quadrant. The City of Castries is home to a variety of attractions, among them Derek Walcott Square, Point Seraphine, La Place Carenage, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and the Eudovic's Art Studio are some of the most popular. The deep water harbour of Castries makes it an ideal candidate for the port of choice of major cruise lines. The natural qualities of Castries Harbour have also played a significant role in the historic colonial conflict over the island, with Saint Lucia ultimately changing hands between the French and British fourteen times. The harbour is one of the best-protected in the Caribbean, making it highly desirable.

Opportunities exist to develop Port Castries into a world-class travel destination, making optimum use of the capital city's current historic and cultural assets. George F.L. Charles Airport is located adjacent to Port Castries on the Vigie Peninsula, and handles the most passenger traffic in Saint Lucia. The proximity of two of the most important gateways to Saint Lucia within the North-West Quadrant, make the sustainable development of this area particularly imperative. Initial goals for the capital are airport, cruise port, and central business district redevelopment, Castries Storm Water and Sewage Treatment Project, and road network expansion.

The Gros Islet region is major hub of tourism amenities in Saint Lucia, with major attractions such as the Rodney Bay Village and Marina, the town of Gros Islet, Beausejour Stadium, and the Pigeon Island National Landmark, which is the main venue for the Annual Saint Lucia International Jazz Festival. The majority of the island's dining, retail, and nightlife options are distributed along Rodney Bay. A number of significant resorts and hotel are located in Gros Islet, as well as the Cap Estate Saint Lucia Golf Resort and Country Club. Initiatives for the Gros Islet Region include beautification, signage, landscaping, roadway, and water treatment programmes.

CASTRIES

Background

Boasting over a third of Saint Lucia's population, as well as the island's capital city, the Castries region is a bustling fusion of old and new, modern and classic. The capital city of Castries showcases some examples of classic West Indian architecture, a distinctive blend of ornate fretwork in a bold and bright Caribbean palette, although many original buildings were lost to the multiple fires that ravaged the capital city throughout the last two centuries. Surrounding Derek Walcott Square, Brazil Street, Cathedral Basilica of Immaculate Conception, and the Castries Central Library collectively make up the city's most scenic area. The heart of the island's government and commerce, Castries is considered the gateway to the island. Port Castries, currently Saint Lucia's primary cruise and cargo port, and the Castries Central Market are among some of the busiest spots in the city. Beyond the boundaries of Saint Lucia's largest city, the Castries area is home to the Folk Research Centre and several historic military encampments, such as Fort Charlotte and La Toc Battery. The urban city centre is encircled by many small residential communities along the river and the surrounding hillside, such as Marchand, Entrepot, Balata, and rural communities like Bexon, L'Abbayee, and Forestiere. South of the City, the rich agricultural lands of Roseau and Cul de Sac Valleys were once the heart of Saint Lucia's banana industry, while Marigot Bay offers scenery so picturesque it's a frequent attraction for photographers.

GROS ISLET

Background

Displaying some of the island's liveliest and luxurious offerings, Gros Islet lies just north of Saint Lucia's capital, Castries. Here, visitors can find a wide variety of engaging activities and world-class amenities, including the island's prime spot for golf enthusiasts, the Saint Lucia Golf and Country Club located in the exclusive resort community of Cap Estate. Reduit Beach, a favorite among tourists and locals, is considered by many to be one of the best beaches on the island. Gros Islet also serves as the epicenter of cricket, one of the island's most revered national past times. The Beausejour Cricket Grounds hosted to the Cricket World Cup in 2007, an event which drew countless spectators to the state-of-the-art facility. Rodney Bay Marina, another first rate offering of this region, is considered by many to be the best-equipped marina in the Caribbean; it is located within Saint Lucia's major entertainment hub, Rodney Bay Village. Rodney Bay itself is named after British Admiral George Rodney, who sailed the English Navy out of the bay in 1780 to launch a strike against the coming French. Gros Islet is also the gateway to Pigeon Island, one of Saint Lucia's most important historic sites.

NORTH-WEST COMPOSITE DIAGRAM

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Presently, the North-West Quadrant is the most developed and populated area in Saint Lucia. It is also the arrival and departure centre for most travelers, with cruise ships entering through Castries, the George F.L. Charles Airport in Vigie, and yachting guests arriving through Rodney Bay. Significant heritage sites are littered throughout the quadrant, including multiple historic structures and shipwrecks along the coast. It is essential that these sites by preserved and enhanced, both to capitalize on heritage tourism opportunities and to protect these valuable historic structures for the benefit of Saint Lucians.

The development of the North-West has not occurred in an efficiently planned or orderly manner. Issues related to congestion and encroachment is now persistent challenges. Proper zoning, master planning, and enforceable development guidelines will now be critical to establishing a plan for the future, with the sustainability of natural assets in mind. Unfortunately, many natural resources have been damaged due to unrestricted and uncontrolled development. At present, remaining wildlife habitats and natural resources must be protected, particularly the mangroves at Castries Harbour and Marigot Harbour. The fertile agricultural lands in Roseau Valley and Cul-de-Sac valley also require immediate plans for preservation, as they are rapidly disappearing.