The aim of the Economic Empowerment Zone is to "create a zone that is accessible, vibrant, dynamic, comfortable, enjoyable and safe".

To this end it will be divided into 13 'micro-neighbourhoods', each with a unique character or architectural heritage. The neighbourhoods are: Court Street Market; Gombey Square; Princess Gates; Ewing Gates; Angle Gates; Union Gates; North East Gardens West; North East Gardens East; Cedar Avenue; Brunswick Square; Victoria Parkway; E.F. Gordon Square; and North Street Commons.

They cover the area north of Victoria Street to Marsh Lane, stretching to King Street in the east and Cedar Avenue in the west. At the centre is Gombey Square, described as 'the historical, social and geographical heart' of North East Hamilton.

Henry Ming unveiled the vision of the architects, urban planners and landscape designers at a public meeting on Wednesday. The Design Roundtable's Draft Plan, 'Bringing North East Hamilton to Life', says: "The character of North East Hamilton varies dramatically from one block to the next, seemingly in a collection of micro-neighbourhoods. "Each district plays a specific, dynamic but complimentary component of a successful renewal process for the whole area."

The team's vision has already been approved by Cabinet and will now undergo public consultation before a revised version is presented before the House of Assembly. At the public meeting, Mr. Ming said: "North East Hamilton for quite some time has been in many ways neglected. But because of that there are also 'pluses'. Because there hasn't been much development, it has retained much of its character and identity. It is unique and is quite probably the only area of Hamilton which is heavily populated by residents.

"And you don't have a city if you don't have residents," he said. Mr. Ming added he was "very proud to say I'm from North Hamilton", and said the 13 districts were "easily identifiable" due to "features that were unique to those areas".

Describing Gombey Square, he said: "Its low rise buildings and amount of open space make this district ripe to become the pulsating dynamic and exciting heart of North East Hamilton."

Another central community area is E.F. Gordon Square, named after labour and emancipation hero Dr. E.F. Gordon. The Draft Plan describes the area as having "a rich history revolving around labour and union movements". Mr. Ming said: "E.F. Gordon Square will house one of the largest complexes in all of the city of Hamilton, a regional community centre and civic centre".

He added that Angle Gates could become the hub of North East Hamilton's nightlife. Noting the popularity of Hubie's Jazz Bar, he said: "As work stops on Friday afternoon, the street fills with people who would not have parked their cars there four or five years ago. Most people are heading for Hubies Bar, and we are talking great music here."

In contrast, Princess Gates was notable for its Victorian-inspired residential architecture. The Design Roundtable say its two-storey buildings "are one of the most impressive remaining examples of the gentrification that took place before the dawn of the 20th century".

Mr. Ming commented: "Princess Street is unique in its character and is one of my favourite streets in Hamilton".

Perhaps the greenest area of North East Hamilton is Cedar Avenue, characterised as being "lined with trees, grass, boulevards and institutional uses in low-rise buildings scattered amongst attractive parkland and extensive open spaces".

Following the public meeting on Wednesday, the vision of a new dawn for the 'back of town' gained an enthusiastic response. Malcolm Butterfield, a former resident of Hamilton who now lives in Smith's, said: "I thought it was thought-provoking. The names for the zones are very heritage-driven."

Norris Thomas, 36, a property owner from Ewing Street, said: "I thought the plans were pretty good and well thought-out, but I would like to know a little bit more about each district."

The Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation has scheduled a series of meetings next week to discuss the districts in more detail. Telephone 292 5570 or log onto: www.bsbdc.bm for more information.