ISU Advances Planning and Data Gathering on Informal Settlements in the TCI

Over 5000 illegal structures were detected across the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) by the Informal Settlement Unit (ISU) as it conducted various data gathering exercises during the past year.

A newly completed internal year-end review confirmed that in 2024 the Unit made noteworthy headway in its programme to manage the proliferation of informal settlements in the TCI, having commenced major programmes such as GIS mapping of sites, Social Needs Assessment Survey of informal settlements and drafted Land Use Subdivision Plans.  

The number of illegal structures, 5404 in total, was confirmed via aerial surveys and Geographical Informal Systems (GIS) mapping of 31 of the 50 identified informal settlement sites across the islands.  While mapping is still ongoing, the ISU has estimated that the 50 known sites potentially occupy 576.18 acres of Crown and private lands. Of this, 13.48 acres of private land have been reclaimed and 6.37 acres of Crown lands. Land is deemed to be successfully reclaimed after illegal structures have been removed.  For 2024, 89 such structures were removed in conjunction with the Crown Land Unit and the Physical Planning Department.  Since the ISU’s inception, similar joint exercises have led to the successful removal of 224 illegal structures on Crown and private lands.

Following the start of the GIS mapping programme in August, a Social Needs Assessment Survey of informal settlements commenced in November to help the Unit to create a baseline understanding of such communities. Some of key data points are:

• Size and type of structures  

• Number of persons resident in settlements.

• Ownership/ occupancy type 

• Risk levels for environmental issues such as flooding 

• Public health and sanitation concerns 

• Availability of utilities 

• Socioeconomic conditions  

  
  

The first site of the surveys was Robinson St, Five Cays, where seven specially trained Social Surveyors conducted discussions in English, Creole and Spanish for one month. Surveys will recommence in January 2025, with 13 additional Surveyors on the team. Recruitment of Surveyors will continue as the programme will expand to 19 sites in Provo and Grand Turk in the new year. In anticipation of the new year, the Unit already completed community outreach activities in 11 settlements, where team members met with occupants and shared information about the survey, including the strict guidelines for confidentiality and courtesy under which it will be administered.

The ISU has adopted a data driven and evidence-based approach to managing informal settlements and the data gathered from these projects will guide the development of effective policies for the creation of communities that are safe for residents and visitors. These communities must also be capable of supporting future development that allows for improvement, while encouraging growth through sustainable efforts.

In addition to gathering baseline data, the Unit also commenced urban planning reviews, with 13 reconnaissance missions completed since September and six Land Use Subdivision Plans drafted.

Additionally in 2024, over 1000 Letters and Notices were served on illegal structures or occupants. The documents were served during joint exercises by the Crown Land Unit (CLU), Physical Planning Department (PPD), Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), Ministry of Immigration and Border Services, and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

In September the ISU also supported the Premier, Hon C. Washington Misick, at the Premier’s meeting with developers and stakeholders focused on the issue of informal settlements in TCI. The meeting underscored the criticality of collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure sustainable development across the islands. In the same vein, in November, the ISU commenced individual meetings with some utility providers, to find common solutions to solve the problem of informal settlements. These meetings, and other stakeholder engagement initiatives will continue in 2025.

Speaking at the final meeting of the working committee responsible for managing informal settlements, Strategic Lead of the ISU Carlos W. Simons KC, commended the work of the ISU and its partner agencies. He expressed anticipation for the continuation of the productive partnership in 2025 “as we work towards the goal of safer and more sustainable communities in TCI”.

Details of 2024 works

ACTIVITY	DETAILS
1	GIS Mapping	31 sites 5404 structures
2	Community Outreach exercises	11
3	Site Analysis /   Reconnaissance Missions	13
4	Land Use plans drafted	6
5	Notices of Unauthorised Occupation	138
6	Enforcement Notices	332
7	Building Control Notices	10
8	Letters of Illegal Occupation	531

 List of informal settlement sites

PROVIDENCIALES
	Description	No. of Structures
1	Bassy Yard	276
2	Behind African Store	44
3	Behind Angie Bar	To Be Confirmed
4	Behind Latter Day Saints	To Be Confirmed
5	Behind Mary Jane Lane	219
6	Behind 7-11	To Be Confirmed
7	Behind Paradise Baptist Church	222
8	Belgade Corner	35
9	Caicos Lodge	To Be Confirmed
10	Club Med Housing (Not affiliated with Club Med Turkoise Hotel)	235
11	Dakor Yard	148
12	Dock Yard	1184
13	Evangelical Yard	26
14	Freddy Yard	To Be Confirmed
15	Granny Hill	577
16	Island Grace	To Be Confirmed
17	Jones Hill	To Be Confirmed
18	Kings Town	To Be Confirmed
19	Lamuel Yard
20	Mary Jane Lane West	37
21	Moses Ave	38
22	Near Back Smokies	To Be Confirmed
23	North PLS	26
24	North Stubbs Creek Point	120
25	NW Bethany Baptist Church	92
26	NW Clement Howell	35
27	Opposite Beaches	To Be Confirmed
28	Opposite Christmas House	To Be Confirmed
29	Opposite Conch Shack	To Be Confirmed
30	Opposite Dump	To Be Confirmed
31	Opposite Gas Station	To Be Confirmed
32	Pallet Yard	58
33	Residence Yard	745
34	Robinson Street	232
35	Roni Fonic Yard	128
36	School Yard	98
37	Sheffield Yard	To Be Confirmed
38	Silverado the Wells	239
39	Walkin Street	To Be Confirmed
40	Lower Bight	To Be Confirmed
TOTAL	4814

GRAND TURK
	Description	No. of Structures
1	Across Gas Station	65
2	Nookie Hill	25
3	North of Sunflowers	33
4	Sheridan Hill	39
5	SW CrabTree Corner	144
6	The Gardens	186
7	The Quarry	26
8	The Weeds	42
9	The Wood	30
TOTAL	590

NORTH CAICOS
	Description	No. of Structures
1	North Whitby	To Be Confirmed

IMAGES ATTACHED: Maps showing 49 of 50 identified informal settlements in TCI

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