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- Dr. Michelle Mycoo is a Senior Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning. She is based in the Department of Geomatics a... moreDr. Michelle Mycoo is a Senior Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning. She is based in the Department of Geomatics and Land Management, the Faculty of Engineering at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Mycoo is the recipient of awards for teaching excellence and research and has many scholarly publications in referred journals, books and book chapters.
Dr. Mycoo is a Steering Committee Member of Future Earth Coasts (FEC) and the United Nations-Habitat Universities Partnership Initiative.
She is also a planning practitioner and senior advisor to numerous international development agencies (EU, DFID UK, The World Bank, IADB, IDRC) and Caribbean governments and has produced many technical reports, policy briefs and training manuals.
She has expertise in urban planning, integrated coastal zone management, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, integrated water resources management and sustainable tourism.edit
Research Interests: Climate Change, Sustainable Tourism, Urban And Regional Planning, URBAN SUSTAINABILITY, Integrated Water Resources Management, and 3 moreIntegrated Coastal Zone Management, Tourism Planning & Development, Tourism Impacts, Environmental Preservation through Tourism, Alterations in Urban Island Tourism Destinations, Crisis Management, Hellenic and International Tourism Flows, Destination Marketing, and Tourism Sustainability, and New Urban Agenda
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The ancient self-contained walled cities were places of grandeur where all members of the community had access to shared facilities such as baths, recreation space, churches, and community meeting places, and walls served as a mechanism... more
The ancient self-contained walled cities were places of grandeur where all members of the community had access to shared facilities such as baths, recreation space, churches, and community meeting places, and walls served as a mechanism for defence against invaders. The modern gated community is a residential area with restricted access, where normally public spaces have been privatised, and public goods are privately provided or maintained. It has its own `architecture of fear ' (Marcuse, 1997). Access is controlled either by physical design, using walls, fences, traffic barriers, or electronic devices such as automatic gates, smart-card-operated gates, or entry-phones, or by 24-hour security personnel. Caldeira (2000) describes these types of development as fortified enclaves, which are turned inward, away from the street, the public life of which they explicitly reject. She notes they are controlled by armed guards and security systems, which enforce rules of inclusion and e...
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published_or_final_versionUrban PlanningMasterMaster of Science in Urban Plannin
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This paper seeks to answer the question, “how to make islands safer using natural hazard risk reduction measures.” It uses St. Lucia as a case study. Among the key findings of the paper is that physical risk reduction measures are... more
This paper seeks to answer the question, “how to make islands safer using natural hazard risk reduction measures.” It uses St. Lucia as a case study. Among the key findings of the paper is that physical risk reduction measures are difficult to implement or enforce despite their enactment. Furthermore, structural measures are costly to build and maintain. Another finding is that although a hazard mitigation plan is comprehensive, its usefulness is limited if it does not monitor, evaluate, and make provision for updating the plan and its policies. Additionally, hazard maps give inadequate guidance in selecting safe locations if the data are poor. Socioeconomic measures are costly in monetary and administrative terms; therefore, legislation encourages the population to locate in safe areas. A key finding is that supplementary measures for risk reduction are useful. The paper concludes that an array of risk reduction measures is used, but they are not easy to implement or enforce. In sh...
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Unsustainable development in the Caribbean has reduced the effectiveness of coastal ecosystems as ecological buffers against climate variability, climate change, extreme weather events, and sea level rise. Using Barbados as a case study,... more
Unsustainable development in the Caribbean has reduced the effectiveness of coastal ecosystems as ecological buffers against climate variability, climate change, extreme weather events, and sea level rise. Using Barbados as a case study, the research conducted first examined ecosystem degradation. Second, an analysis of adaptation options for climate change and rising sea levels was undertaken. Based on the study conducted, conclusions were drawn on the implementation challenges of adaptation measures and approaches, and areas for future research. The research found that hard engineering is highly prioritised because of the vulnerability of settlements, infrastructure, and beaches to erosion. Beach protection in particular receives significant attention because beach tourism is economically significant. Additionally, beach nourishment is popular in alleviating erosion. A major finding is that reactive and standalone protective efforts are less effective, so that hard and soft engine...
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Urban planners in the Caribbean have long advocated for a resolution of conflicts between built development and the environment. They have grappled with challenges of small geographic size, an increasingly urbanised landscape and the need... more
Urban planners in the Caribbean have long advocated for a resolution of conflicts between built development and the environment. They have grappled with challenges of small geographic size, an increasingly urbanised landscape and the need to facilitate urban centres as engines of economic development and as the loci of prosperity. This article investigates the urban planning community’s perspective with respect to the drivers of unsustainable urbanisation and provides a conceptual framework for urban planning to attain urban sustainability in a small island developing state context. Trinidad is used as a case study. The research found that urbanisation has been inadequately regulated despite a plethora of legislation, urban plans and policies, and that the political will to achieve urban sustainability is lacking. This has resulted in ecosystem damage, economic losses and the undermining of human well-being. The article concludes that urban planning needs a conceptual framework to m...
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Informal settlements are quite complex because they consist of economically disadvantaged, often landless households located on steep hillsides, floodplains and swamps, which contribute to their exclusion from accessing infrastructure.... more
Informal settlements are quite complex because they consist of economically disadvantaged, often landless households located on steep hillsides, floodplains and swamps, which contribute to their exclusion from accessing infrastructure. These challenges need not be constraints; rather they offer opportunities for transformation. Such communities are generally characterised by inadequate access to safe water; inadequate access to sanitation and other infrastructure; poor structural quality of housing; overcrowding and insecure residential status. This paper uses primary and secondary data to determine the drivers which impact on the burgeoning of informal settlements in the Caribbean and analyses their implications for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 which focuses on achieving safer, sustainable and resilient human settlements. The main findings of the paper are that housing shortages, delays in obtaining planning approvals, inflated land values and povert...
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Throughout the developing world there are numerous examples of high levels of Government spending on water infrastructure while maintaining low tariffs and subsidies. The supply-focus approach has proven to be wasteful. A strong case is... more
Throughout the developing world there are numerous examples of high levels of Government spending on water infrastructure while maintaining low tariffs and subsidies. The supply-focus approach has proven to be wasteful. A strong case is advanced for a demand-oriented approach, which emphasizes expenditure in relation to demand, and the adoption of demand management techniques such as pricing. It is difficult to ignore daily problems in obtaining water for domestic purposes when there is a threat to public health and economic productivity. Given the undisputed importance of water, this paper attempts to examine the major problems of water supply in urban Trinidad and to analyse factors determining
As urban risks associated with a changing climate continue to intensify, it is increasingly important to broaden our understanding of climate vulnerabilities in coastal cities and human adaptation to climate-related hazards. Coastal... more
As urban risks associated with a changing climate continue to intensify, it is increasingly important to broaden our understanding of climate vulnerabilities in coastal cities and human adaptation to climate-related hazards. Coastal cities in small island developing states in the Caribbean stand to be among the most climate-impacted. This paper explores vulnerability to coastal hazards (sea-level rise, storm surges and flooding) in Barbados’ capital city and its urban corridor—Greater Bridgetown. Specifically, it is a qualitative survey of climate change vulnerabilities and human adaptation in the study domain that is underpinned by three research questions: 1) In what ways is Greater Bridgetown vulnerable to coastal hazards? 2) What are the human dimensions of this vulnerability? and 3) What are the associated human adaptations? We apply a four-component adaptive urban governance framework to explore the role of the city’s historical development, urban morphology, national-level in...
Many Caribbean Small Island Developing States face the daunting task of fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. As signatories to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, their governments committed... more
Many Caribbean Small Island Developing States face the daunting task of fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. As signatories to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, their governments committed to embark on a roadmap to achieve sustainable development within this time frame. In this context, Caribbean Small Island Developing States have embraced Sustainable Development Goal 11 in pursuit of creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities as articulated in various governance, spatial, socio-economic, and environmental policies. Notwithstanding this commitment, a tension exists between policy and practice. Several barriers to policy implementation have stymied efforts to make progress in fulfilling Goal 11. Enabling the impact of sound policy through well-informed practice is pivotal, if these states are to make advancements in ensuring that their population has access to basic services and live in safe, resilient, and sustainable...
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Abstract Spatial planning in the anglophone Caribbean has lost its appeal having failed to deliver on its promises. Unsuccessful master plans, approval delays, numerous appeals and weak enforcement of regulations result from tensions... more
Abstract Spatial planning in the anglophone Caribbean has lost its appeal having failed to deliver on its promises. Unsuccessful master plans, approval delays, numerous appeals and weak enforcement of regulations result from tensions generated by planning, democracy and capitalism practices. Additionally, regulatory and legislative reforms are insufficient to yield improvements, and therefore politicians, the public and investors do not hold planning in high esteem. This paper first provides an analysis of the drivers of a dysfunctional planning system and then offers a conceptual framework consisting of a blend of market, regulatory and behavioural change instruments along with new technologies that present an opportunity to craft planning systems in the anglophone Caribbean into becoming more innovative and responsive to citizens’ needs. Empirical evidence is drawn from Trinidad.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--McGill University, 1996. Includes bibliographical references.
The consequences of global climate change present particular challenges to coastal inhabitants and their communities, where nearly one-half of the world's population lives. These consequences include storm surge, flooding, and erosion... more
The consequences of global climate change present particular challenges to coastal inhabitants and their communities, where nearly one-half of the world's population lives. These consequences include storm surge, flooding, and erosion from more frequent severe coastal storms, and rising seas. This chapter describes an international Canadian–Caribbean coastal community-based research initiative designed to raise awareness among, and to communicate to, community members, the evidence of local impacts of climate change and to examine adaptation strategies to address these impacts. Selected Canadian and Caribbean coastal communities are first characterized by their physical environment and their economic, social, and cultural assets as well as the predicted vulnerabilities and threats. Community priorities are captured to develop and then evaluate alternatives for adaptive strategies. These alternatives, applied in specific local contexts, include the suite of adaptive strategies to (1) protect the community from the expected impacts of coastal environmental change, (2) accommodate the impacts through managed resilience, (3) retreat from the coastal zone in order to reduce inhabitants' vulnerabilities, and (4) do nothing—the most common strategy in practice—in preparation for the expected impacts. Top-down and bottom-up collaborative efforts of the communities of practice within the coastal zone are required to manage adaptation in the coastal zone. Bottom-up enhancement is delivered through the direct engagement of community education beginning with the local school children. Top-down enhancement seeks community participation for the establishment of new municipal governance and strategic integrated policy toward improved coastal sustainably under the threats of the changing climate.
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Purpose – This study aims to, using Grande Riviere, Trinidad, as a case study, determine levels of climate change knowledge and awareness in the community. Second, it seeks to provide new knowledge on appropriate techniques for developing... more
Purpose – This study aims to, using Grande Riviere, Trinidad, as a case study, determine levels of climate change knowledge and awareness in the community. Second, it seeks to provide new knowledge on appropriate techniques for developing climate change literacy. Third, it attempts to highlight action needed for messages to be widely communicated and policy implications for government agencies, non-governmental organisations, communication specialists and educators. Design/methodology/approach – A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to all households, focus group meetings were held and a training workshop was conducted. Findings – A key finding is that despite vulnerability to climate change, climate change literacy is low and is influenced by multiple variables such as household income, level of educational attainment, access to technology, governance structures and political commitment to communicating climate change. A major finding is that access to modern communication ...
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Abstract Throughout the developing world there are numerous examples of high levels of Government spending on water infrastructure while maintaining low tariffs and subsidies. The supply-focus approach has proven to be wasteful. A strong... more
Abstract Throughout the developing world there are numerous examples of high levels of Government spending on water infrastructure while maintaining low tariffs and subsidies. The supply-focus approach has proven to be wasteful. A strong case is advanced for a demand-oriented approach, which emphasizes expenditure in relation to demand, and the adoption of demand management techniques such as pricing. It is difficult to ignore daily problems in obtaining water for domestic purposes when there is a threat to public health and economic productivity. Given the undisputed importance of water, this paper attempts to examine the major problems of water supply in urban Trinidad and to analyse factors determining consumer willingness to pay for service improvements in the early 1990s. The willingness to pay model for water supply showed that domestic consumers’ willingness to pay more for an improved service was influenced by household income, the price of water, number of service hours, an...
ABSTRACT Article on pages 36-51
Unsustainable development in the Caribbean has reduced the effectiveness of coastal ecosystems as ecological buffers against climate variability, climate change, extreme weather events, and sea level rise. Using Barbados as a case study,... more
Unsustainable development in the Caribbean has reduced the effectiveness of coastal ecosystems as ecological buffers against climate variability, climate change, extreme weather events, and sea level rise. Using Barbados as a case study, the research conducted first examined ecosystem degradation. Secondly, an analysis of adaptation options for climate change and rising sea levels was undertaken. Based on the study conducted, conclusions were drawn on the implementation challenges of adaptation measures and approaches, and areas for future research. The research found that hard engineering is highly prioritised because of the vulnerability of settlements, infrastructure, and beaches to erosion. Beach protection in particular receives significant attention because beach tourism is economically significant. Additionally, beach nourishment is popular in alleviating erosion. A major finding is that reactive and standalone protective efforts are less effective, so that hard and soft engi...
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ABSTRACT Governance dynamics and the interplay between inadequate infrastructural investment and institutional inertia undermine the potential of low-income cities in low-elevation coastal zones to become climate change resilient. This... more
ABSTRACT Governance dynamics and the interplay between inadequate infrastructural investment and institutional inertia undermine the potential of low-income cities in low-elevation coastal zones to become climate change resilient. This paper explores the influence of these factors as well as household socio-economic characteristics on autonomous household adaptation to climate change. Georgetown, Guyana is used as a case study. Empirical analysis revealed that state inability to solve socio-economic, infrastructural and environmental problems led urban households to independently adopt measures aimed at reducing climate change impacts. Spontaneous maladaptation by all households in response to state failure and weak urban governance, however, exacerbated vulnerability to flooding. The paper has global applicability in that it cautions policymakers and practitioners on the shortcomings of spontaneous maladaptation, and provides prescriptions for improved urban governance and spatial planning to facilitate the climate proofing of cities. Furthermore, it highlights the importance and complexities of financing climate change adaptation, and concludes these will continue to constrain the adaptive capacity of vulnerable city populations in the less developed countries of the South, unless developed global partners cooperate.
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Government expenditure on infrastructure has been high in most developing countries. However, though access to services has broadened, the general condition of infrastructure is poor, and the quality of service has deteriorated. Water... more
Government expenditure on infrastructure has been high in most developing countries. However, though access to services has broadened, the general condition of infrastructure is poor, and the quality of service has deteriorated. Water services is a good example of this problematique. The purpose of this thesis is to provide a demand-oriented perspective on water provision for domestic users. The thesis examines cost recovery potential based on household willingness to pay more for an improved service and water pricing. Also, factors contributing to rising provision costs are explored, with the aim of formulating prescriptions for demand management and lowered costs. The thesis also focuses on institutional strengthening scenarios which achieve a demand orientation in water delivery. To this end, competition in the provision of water services and the regulation of service providers are examined. A case study of domestic users in Trinidad was undertaken. Households in the main urban a...
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ABSTRACT The vulnerability of tourism-dependent communities, coastal tourism facilities, and beaches to climate change demands the use of measures that can urgently minimise vulnerability and in the long term achieve sustainable... more
ABSTRACT The vulnerability of tourism-dependent communities, coastal tourism facilities, and beaches to climate change demands the use of measures that can urgently minimise vulnerability and in the long term achieve sustainable development. This paper makes policy recommendations to address climate change and sea level rise challenges in small island developing states. Using Barbados as a case study, the paper found that innovations in policies and projects have offset the past ills of mass tourism and fortuitously now serve as pre-emptive measures in adapting to climate change. The array of methods for combating these changes includes physical planning policies, integrated coastal zone management, and infrastructure projects. Among the key areas for policy innovation are the adoption of protection, accommodation, and retreat strategies, which are informed by rigorous cost-benefit analysis and stakeholder consultation. Ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change is also necessary, especially for islands where coral reef protection is urgent. Moreover, policy adjustments are required on building construction, water resources management, sewage treatment, coastal zone management, physical planning, and land management. Institutional constraints, including the lack of capacity to implement, monitor, and enforce measures, must also be addressed if progress is to be made in adapting to climate change. A major conclusion is that the severity of coastal damage, the importance of tourism to sustainable development, and the country's adaptive capacity play a key part in the selection and implementation of climate change adaptation measures.
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... 1982 to 1992 on reefs along the west coast, the mean percent loss of species on the reefs underinvestigation was 24 ... plants, 9% produced a good quality effluent, while 44% and 26% discharged effluents of average and poor quality... more
... 1982 to 1992 on reefs along the west coast, the mean percent loss of species on the reefs underinvestigation was 24 ... plants, 9% produced a good quality effluent, while 44% and 26% discharged effluents of average and poor quality respectively ... Journal of Sustainable Tourism ...
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In most developing countries, planning was initially concerned with economic growth. Upon gaining political independence, post-colonial countries set about addressing the unmet backlog of physical and social infrastructure problems, low... more
In most developing countries, planning was initially concerned with economic growth. Upon gaining political independence, post-colonial countries set about addressing the unmet backlog of physical and social infrastructure problems, low rates of economic growth, and poverty. Since the post-independence era, development in non-industrialized countries has undergone significant changes in both scope and approach and has arisen from shifts in international
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... The case studies demonstrate that, in Trinidad, land management tends to be determined according to the project or the issue ... the case with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported programmes in... more
... The case studies demonstrate that, in Trinidad, land management tends to be determined according to the project or the issue ... the case with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported programmes in Ecuador and Thailand (Chua, 1993; Olsen ...
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Gated community living: a global and developing-country phenomenon The ancient self-contained walled cities were places of grandeur where all members of the community had access to shared facilities such as baths, recreation space,... more
Gated community living: a global and developing-country phenomenon The ancient self-contained walled cities were places of grandeur where all members of the community had access to shared facilities such as baths, recreation space, churches, and community meeting places, and ...
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ABSTRACT Water pricing policy is determined by multiple, though conflicting objectives. This paper analyzes flat water charges for households based on property values, using Trinidad as a case study. A major finding is that this tariff is... more
ABSTRACT Water pricing policy is determined by multiple, though conflicting objectives. This paper analyzes flat water charges for households based on property values, using Trinidad as a case study. A major finding is that this tariff is economically inefficient and encourages water wastage which becomes environmentally unsustainable. Also, while social equity is a main objective in using this method of water pricing, in reality this is compromised. A key contribution of this paper is that water supply is regular in many countries where flat rates are used, but Trinidad consumers suffer from water shortages. The politics of water pricing and poor governance explain this anomaly in service, economic inefficiency, social inequity, and environmentally unsustainable water management.