As has been the practice for some decades by successive government administrations, development funding is sought from overseas rather than creating sufficient local economic traction to enable us to build those things that reflect our achievements and aspirations. The country ends up selling off its resources and placing the heritage in danger of receivership.

The Chinese, whose benevolence is now second to none, have come forward to gift us with the design for our parliament building. I cannot, in good conscience, say that this excites or fills me with patriotism, since I would rather hold parliament at Jamnesia in Bull Bay — a place built by Jamaican hands, creativity and determination — or Ronnie’s in Wicky Wacky, or even Little Copa, all places that Jamaicans designed, built, and maintained, and better yet, are all in Bull Bay, my hometown and the home of Jamaica’s world renowned reggae and Rasta culture, shared with Trench Town.

I wholeheartedly concur with the opinions expressed by the college of fellows of the Jamaica Institute of Architects regarding the design and construction of the proposed new parliament building, and believe the entire country should stand with us to demand that civic projects of this type and magnitude be done by Jamaican architects and builders, if not completely, then primarily by us.

Over the years, architecture and architects in Jamaica have become sidelined by a public misconception that architecture is some sort of luxury to benefit only the wealthy and well-off. Nothing could be further from the truth, and the reality of the current chaos in our built environment reflects this lack of understanding.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Many-thanks-to-the-Chinese–but-I-want-a-Jamaican-parliament-design_93080