Statia is developing

Higher level of prosperity in a livable environment

In the future, the population of St. Eustatius will enjoy a higher level of
prosperity in a livable environment.
This is the vision statement of St. Eustatius for the next decade. To reach a
higher level of prosperity for the island and the people of Statia, economic
growth is required. The tourist sector in particular is considered to offer
opportunities to achieve this goal. An expanding economy will go in hand
with population growth and development of, among others, touristic
amenities and facilities. To be able to accommodate the growing population,
additional homes will be built. Investments in infrastructure will be
necessary to cater to intensifying traffic. To maintain a sustainable
development, environmental management will be expanded

Why a strategic development plan?

Statia offers many development possibilities, but geographically it remains a

small island. Therefore it is of great importance to make well considered
planning choices for the island´s development. The key focus is to preserve
existing qualities such as culture, nature, the rich heritage and authenticity.
Statia strives for sustainable development, to make it an attractive place to
live, work and recreate, also in the future.
This Strategic Development Plan (SDP) gives an outline of the envisioned
development of Statia,

Sustainable development for Statia

Social wellbeing as key to success
Statia chooses to enhance the social wellbeing of its inhabitants. Growth of
prosperity is not its main objective, but a vehicle to achieve a higher level of
wellbeing. This requires that investments in Statia’s economic development
aim at a growth in quality instead of quantity and that new activities
contribute significantly to enhance the quality of life on Statia.
The level of social wellbeing should grow in proportion with the growth in
prosperity for the Statians.
Aiming at a growth in wellbeing consequently means aiming at a socially
strong Statia, with the ambitions of the residents at its focal point: economic
progress, self-evolvement and social security. A Statia where there is a place
for everyone and where the less fortunate also profit from growing wealth.
This will apply to the present generation as well as to future generations.
This development will be visible in investments in education, health care,
employment and safety.
Authenticity and identity as point of departure
Statia has unique qualities, such as the Island’s authentic and pure character
and its cultural heritage sites. The island also has beautiful natural
landscapes, unique flora and fauna and excellent diving sites. Other qualities
that give Statia its identity are the local culture, the peacefulness and small
scale. It is this mix of qualities and its own strong identity that makes Statia
one of a kind in the Windward Islands.
Statia’s development must be based on these unique identifying qualities.
These qualities must be strengthened and protected and used to their full
potential for the island’s development now and in the future.
A strong part of the Island’s authenticity is its culture.
It is of great importance that Statia keeps its identity and character and
resists any threats.

Making use of opportunities

Statia chooses for a sustainable development strategy. This explicit choice
distinguishes Statia in a positive manner and offers new opportunities for the
economy, such as displaying the island as a sustainable travel destination
that offers new sustainable products and services. This will broaden and
strengthen its economy, which in turn will generate the necessary income to
enhance welfare.

Strategic Vision
Improving social welfare and prosperity
Statia, home of Statians
To arrive at a higher level of prosperity in a better living environment, Statia
will invest in the development of its inhabitants from a social and socio-
economical perspective, based on Statia’s own cultural and religious
traditions, standards and values. The emphasis is on facilitating the
ambitions of the inhabitants: economic progress, self-evolvement and social
security. Growth of the economy will go hand in hand with social
development and improved social services such as education and health
care.

It starts with good education

A higher level of prosperity starts with good education, which opens up
opportunities for a successful entrance on the labor market. Education
means self actualization, acquiring social skills and knowledge.
Education also contributes to the cultural identity and self-awareness and to
the quality of life in general. All levels of education have to emit these
aspects. Currently many Statians leave the island for higher education or for
work. To achieve a balanced economic growth, it is necessary to avoid this
brain drain and to commit the present labor force to the island. Therefore
quality employment has to be created and the educational system has to be
in line with the demand on the labor market.

A working society
A healthy future for Statia requires a solid economical basis to create
employment for the inhabitants of the Island. The lack of sufficient job
opportunities could cause a negative future prospect, possibly leading to
social problems and poverty. Upward mobility on the labor market is
therefore of great importance. New economical activities and employment
should in the first place benefit the island and its inhabitants. Private
enterprises will be advocated in order stimulate the residents toward self-
employment.
Controlled population growth
Economic growth is expected to generate an influx of new residents.
Attention must be paid to prevent integration problems and segregation of
population groups as a result of this influx. Also, this should not lead to
feelings of displacement and being out of touch with one’s familiar
environment by the “indigenous” population. This can be prevented by
controlling the growth of the foreign labor force and keeping it in pace with
the growth of the population and the local labor force. The population is
expected to grow with 2,000 to around 5,500 inhabitants in 2030. Part of
this growth will come from natural growth and part from immigration.

Health care for all

Everyone has the right to proper health care. Health care must be accessible
for all, physically as well as financially. Improving the health care system on
Statia is an important goal. This necessitates investing in a new multi
functional medical center, adding ambulant care, home care and a center for
youth and family. Important aspect of the health care policy is prevention of
social problems, such as teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, youth
criminality, etc.
To improve the level of health care, medical expertise and know-how will be
imported from abroad and the current staff will receive relevant training in
order to upgrade the quality of the service.

Living well on Statia

Improved living conditions and environment contribute to the extent in
which people feel at home in their habitat as well as the peoples’ socio-
economical progress. The Statians, irrespective of their income, must have
access to quality housing and a proper living environment.
Therefore, the Government, in cooperation with the Housing Foundation, will
invest in new (social) housing, upgrading of the existing stock and in a
pleasant living environment. Private owners can be offered incentives, such
as subsidies to improve their homes. Impoverishment of neighborhoods
must be prevented.

Tourism: a promising economic pillar for Statia

Exploring touristic potential
At present, the largest economic pillars of Statia are Oil transshipment,
tourism and the School of Medicine. Because of its unique heritage, beautiful
town and landscapes, its excellent diving product, its terrestrial flora and
fauna and its strategic location in the Caribbean, tourism has great economic
potential. To attract tourists to Statia, a larger room capacity has to be
created. A number of 250 - 300 hotel rooms is considered to be a minimum
to be able to effectively promote the Island on the market. In addition other
hospitality facilities will be developed. Lower Town can accommodate part of
the needed hotel rooms and will be developed as a tourist center. For now,
Zeelandia and the strip located on the west side of the Road to White Wall
are other areas, designated for hotel development. Increase in tourism will
increase the demand for other amenities such as welfare facilities, shops,
restaurants etc. and supply industry. Tourism thereby creates extra income
and will benefit the island economy. Next to developing the tourism product,
a proper marketing of the island as tourist destination is a prerequisite for a
flourishing touristic sector.

Other sectors that would help develop the island economy

Apart from tourism, the School of Medicine has the ambition to grow. Also
NuStar Terminals is expected to expand, but this will not necessarily lead to
a significant increase in employment due to further automation.
To be able to supply the home market (including the tourist market) with
fresh produce, this SDP includes an expansion of the agricultural sector.
For this purpose, approximately 15 hectares of land have been reserved in
this plan.
Last but not least, the strategic position in the Caribbean arch and duty free
status, among other factors, contributed to the development of Statia as a
trading center in the 18th century and attracted the oil transshipment facility
(Statia Terminals) to the Island in the present era. By further expanding the
harbor and the airport, the government expects to attract more
transshipment activities and related industries.
Growth in the above mentioned sectors will increase employment by
approximately 1,550 jobs. The total income of the island is expected to
increase by approximately 60%, thereby improving the prosperity of Statia.

Strategic Vision
Careful spatial planning
Existing qualities as point of departure
One of the assets of the island is its green and blue image, represented by
the two National Parks on land and the National Marine Park that has some
of the world’s finest diving sites. Therefore, this Park is an important tourist
attraction. Statia also boasts a rich cultural and historic heritage. If made
more visible, this can also contribute to the attractiveness of the island.
The expected development on the island can take place under the condition
that the existing qualities are preserved and strengthened where possible.
This is the reason for choosing for a cautious and careful development in
order to prevent Statia’s assets from being negatively impacted.

Touristic development of Lower Town

Lower Town will be further developed as a tourist area, not by realizing large
scale hotel accommodation, but preferably by smaller hotels with a capacity
of 30 to 70 rooms. Their design must suit the surroundings.
Where possible the ruins of the old (merchant) buildings must be integrated
in the new hotels and shops and other recreational facilities. This will
visualize Statia’s history. Near the port, amenities will be realized to attract
yachting tourists to moor and land. Near the port a fish restaurant could be
built to serve the catch of the day.

Nature protection by concentrating residential areas

The population will grow from the present 3,500 inhabitants to
approximately 5,500 inhabitants in 2030. To house these new residents, 800
extra homes must be built. These homes will for the largest part be
incorporated into the existing residential areas in and around Oranjestad.
This to utilize the existing infra structure efficiently. Subdivisions and
construction activities outside the expanded town area will be limited and
with low density to preserve the green image.

Development of airport terminal building

The obstacle-free zone of the airport will be extended to comply with
international regulations. This requires relocation of the terminal building.
The area east of Concordia is a suitable location. This will offer the possibility
to modernize the terminal and expand it with more facilities and also to plan
the space surrounding the terminal in a proper way. Near the new terminal
building space is available for limited office development and residential use.

Strategic Vision
A place for horticulture and cattle breeding
For sustainable horticulture, space will be reserved north of the airport and
near the present concentration of schools. Sustainable horticulture will have
to be developed based on certain stringent conditions. Reasons for this are
the scarcity of water on the island and risk of damage to coral reefs from use
of fertilizers and toxic agents, draining into the ocean.
Free roaming cattle is a serious threat to the island´s terrestrial and marine
biodiversity because of the effects on the soil and destruction of the flora
They also damage the old stone dry walls that were built in the past, also to
prevent erosion. Changing to a controlled grazing system and modern
professional management techniques is therefore advisable. The cattle will
be gathered in fenced meadows. The east side of The Quill is a suitable
location for this. Replanting is also necessary in some areas to prevent
erosion and damage to coral reefs as a result of the effect of sedimentation
after rainfall.

How to implement the SDP?

Implementing the SDP by a professional organization
Successful implementation of the SDP largely depends on the organization.
This SDP offers a framework for governmental decision making. Based on
the Plan, strategic decisions can be made to achieve a well-thought about
development on Statia.
Furthermore, installing a professional organization to stimulate, facilitate,
check and maintain development is of great importance. The policies of the
various governmental services and departments must be harmonized. The
executing organization has to connect to Statia’s present organizational
structure and also connect to the experience and the mind-set of the
Statians. They must recognize themselves in the Plan and have faith in its
success and ability to contribute to their prosperity and that of the island.
Another important aspect is that the projects are structured and are
implemented in a structured manner.

Cooperation with market

Implementation of the SDP is not just a government affair, but also depends
to a large extent on private initiatives, for example the development of
Lower Town and other areas. Together with the market/developers, the
government will work on implementing the SDP.

Starting point for Statia’s development

Finally, this SDP is not a finish line, but a starting point for the island’s
development. This Plan does not contain an exhaustive list of projects but is
a dynamic document, outlining the direction for Statia to develop and
functions as a framework for new developments.
To achieve the desired spatial quality, this SDP is elaborated in a Spatial
Development Plan and in the Land Policy Plan.