Bermuda can become a model for sustainable development that will be studied by other countries around the world, Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson has claimed.

Mr. Hodgson said the Island is small enough to balance the competing interests of a growing economy, rising population and rapidly diminishing open space without destroying the quality of life.

The amount of open space on the Island has shrunk from 54 percent (6,469 acres) in 1970 to 37 percent (4,446) in 1992.

At the same time, the population has grown by more than 5,000, and the amount of land swallowed up by housing -- or zoned for housing -- has risen from 4,407 acres to 5,700 acres.

Government is pledged to sustainable development, but when the new Bermuda Plan is completed next year, it will have to address continuing pressure to build on the Island's disappearing open spaces.

Business leaders, Government and conservationists agree the Island is at a turning point when difficult and complicated decisions will need to taken to ensure the quality of life on the Island is not destroyed.

In a three-part investigation into the issue beginning today on Page 4 , The Royal Gazette examines the problem.

The series, Bermuda at the Crossroads , takes an in-depth look at the problems of a growing population, a growing economy and shrinking open spaces.

The Bermuda National Trust believes the open spaces crisis is so severe that Government should challenge the assumption that people have the right to build.

BNT Environment chair Edith Martin said: "At some point Bermuda has to recognise that being able to go for a walk in the woods is as important to a functioning society as being able to build.'' Chamber of Commerce chair Cris Valdes Dapena said that with official statistics showing there will be 6,000 more jobs than Bermudian workers in ten years, the Island has to take some hard decisions about which direction to take.

In an extensive interview, Mr. Hodgson said he believes Bermuda can become an "ideal place'' in terms of income, racial integration, and protection of the environment.

He said: "If we take some hard decisions and take the road less travelled, at the end of the day we will be on a smooth road.

"We have brought up children to believe there is a road to travel where you don't pay a price. If this generation is prepared to put in the work into Bermuda, we'll be OK in ten years.

"We're still small enough to track all the pieces that fit together. People are going to come to this country to see how we did it.'' 1992 BERMUDA PLAN MAP