Spatial planning remains one of the most crucial pillars for sustainable development and quality of life in Aruba. In this context, Milton Ponson of the Rainbow Warriors Foundation expressed concern over the government’s decision to postpone the revision process of the Spatial Development Plan with Regulations (ROPv), a move that according to the organization deviates from the established legal framework.
Under the Spatial Development Ordinance (Landsverordening Ruimtelijke Ontwikkeling), the Spatial Development Plan (ROP) was established in 2019 for a 10-year duration, expiring in 2029. This master plan provides guidelines for determining how national territory is used in each area, whether for housing construction, commercial activity, tourism, industry, or nature conservation and buffer zones.
The function of the ROPv and the legal revision requirement
To provide detailed substance to the ROP, the ROPv (Ruimtelijke Ontwikkelingsplan met Voorschriften) is established. Set in 2021 for a 5-year period as prescribed by law, this plan is based on concrete data regarding land availability for housing, tourism, and commercial centers, specifying area by area what is permitted to be built, not built, or conserved.
According to the legal timeline, the ROPv revision process was supposed to begin this year, 2026. The law dictates that this revision must take place after broad consultation with internal government experts, stakeholders, and the community, given that spatial planning directly impacts key sectors such as housing and the economy.
Concern over postponement until 2029
Ponson noted that the AVP-Futuro Government’s decision to eliminate the current revision process and extend the ROPv until 2029, aligning it with the general ROP revision, represents a departure from the legal mandate. According to the Rainbow Warriors Foundation, this decision hinders the opportunity to recalibrate what is desirable for Aruba to pursue across the different regions of our country.
Among the most urgent issues requiring attention and regulation in the ROPv is the growth of the short-term vacation rental market (Airbnb). Currently, a considerable number of homes and apartment complexes are being converted into tourist accommodations, reducing housing availability for local workers and families in need of rentals. According to Ponson, failing to revise spatial rules prevents taking necessary measures to balance tourism development with the housing needs of the local population.
