As part of the National Infrastructure Plan (PNI), Minister Herdé carried out this tour in the company of several local infrastructure experts, along with renowned Dutch landscape architect Paul van Beek and city and landscape designer Charles Vermaas.
Paul van Beek is an expert in the development of residential neighborhoods in the Netherlands. Van Beek and Vermaas are visiting Aruba to share their knowledge and expertise with Minister Herdé and the team of local infrastructure specialists.
One of the biggest challenges Aruba currently faces is the housing issue. Several factors have contributed to this problem.
Multiple departments have been neglected for a long time, including the departments responsible for infrastructure: DLV, DIP and DOW.
The poor management within these departments has resulted in procedures for obtaining land and financing becoming an obstacle to building a home.
In the past, large plots of land were allocated on Aruba, which has now resulted in a shortage of space for constructing homes.
During the tour, visits were made to the land at Port City (Aruba Ports Authority), followed by Colony, and finally a plot in Burunbundo. These areas hold enormous potential for the development of revolutionary ideas in the field of infrastructure and to broaden the vision on housing in Aruba, such as creating residential neighborhoods instead of individual houses, and constructing vertical rather than solely horizontal housing.
To facilitate the process of obtaining land, financing and building homes, it is necessary to consider the different situations and needs of each individual. A family consisting of a mother, father and two children does not require the same type of housing as an elderly person living alone.
The goal is to bring a solution to the housing problem and help the people of Aruba — regardless of their financial situation — to achieve the dream of owning their own home.
Press release: Government of Aruba
