Two months ago, the latest City of Hamilton Plan was tabled and debated in the House of Assembly, with broad support achieved across the political spectrum. With that said, it is time to get real about transforming Hamilton into a vibrant city that Bermudians can be proud of. We need to prioritise some key initiatives that will make our city a great place to live, work and visit. Here are just some ideas to spark conversation.

Pedestrianisation

Closing off certain streets to traffic, such as Burnaby Street (from Church Street to Front Street), Reid Street (from Burnaby Street to Queen Street) and Court Street (from Victoria Street to Angle Street) would make our city more walkable and bikeable. It's time to take back our streets and make them people-friendly! This would not only improve the aesthetic appeal of our city, but also promote a healthier and more active lifestyle for nine-to-fivers, and increase appeal for residential builds.

Creating more green spaces

This would involve converting parking lots on Front Street into green spaces with a walkway from Pier 6 to Albouy’s Point — it would be a game-changer. This would help to make our city a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Green spaces also help mitigate the urban-heat island effect, reduce air pollution and promote biodiversity. To replace parking, a multistorey lot could be built on the existing Cavendish Road lot and Bull’s Head could be heightened. Park-and-rides could be developed, creating job opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Public art

Let’s continue to showcase Bermuda’s culture and history through public art installations. This will add some much needed character to our city and make it a more interesting place to visit. Public art can also serve as a catalyst for community engagement and social interaction.

Mixed-use development

We need to encourage more mixed-use zoning to create a lively and diverse downtown atmosphere. This would support local businesses and make our city more vibrant. Mixed-use development can also promote a sense of community and reduce the need for lengthy commutes.

Building higher

I have said before that this is important, and the City Plan makes it clear that height restrictions are lifted. So, let’s build higher, but make sure our infrastructure can support it. We want to preserve natural areas and promote efficient use of land. By building higher we can create more housing options, including affordable housing, and reduce the pressure on our natural environment. Building higher can also help to lessen urban sprawl and promote more efficient use of resources.

Flexible ground floors

Designing ground floors with flexibility in mind would allow for a range of uses and adaptations over time. This will keep our city fresh and exciting, and enable businesses to adapt to changing market conditions.

Go green

We should consider using sustainable materials in urban construction and implement energy-efficient lighting. This would reduce our city's environmental footprint and create a more sustainable future. Sustainable practices can also help to reduce energy costs and promote a healthier environment. This can include incorporating green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and native plantings, would help to manage storm-water run-off and promote biodiversity. This can be achieved by requiring empty lots to be turned into green spaces — such as the old police station.

Implementing city rangers

City rangers can address low-level offences such as public urination and loitering, which can be an effective way to maintain public safety and order. They would patrol parks, reserves and city-owned buildings to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations, issue fines or warnings to individuals who engage in low-level offences including those related to street trading, busking and abandoned vehicles.

The City of Hamilton Council has done its very best over the years to implement many of these strategies, but in many instances their efforts have been thwarted by bureaucracy, a lack of legislation to implement the plans, and a lack of central government desire and interference. A major waterfront redevelopment, while needed, is not immediately required to reinvigorate our city.

By prioritising these initiatives, we can create a more vibrant and sustainable Hamilton that showcases the best of Bermuda.

Let’s do it!

• Michael Fahy is the Shadow Minister of Municipalities, Housing and Home Affairs, and the MP for Pembroke South West (Constituency 20)