Haiti Tomorrow: Territorial Objectives and Strategies for Reconstruction
Summary — A strategic territorial planning document outlining reconstruction objectives for Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, focusing on decentralization and regional development. The plan proposes transforming the catastrophe into an opportunity through balanced territorial development and reduced vulnerability.
Key Findings
- 600,000 people left Port-au-Prince after the earthquake, creating an opportunity for territorial deconcentration.
- The capital region lost 800,000 inhabitants, reducing its population weight from overwhelming dominance.
- Port-au-Prince population doubled in 20 years (1.5 to 2.8 million), showing unsustainable concentration.
- Three regional solidarities proposed: North (47%), Capital (29%), South (24%) of national population.
- Reconstruction must address extreme territorial vulnerability through integrated approaches.
Full Description
This comprehensive territorial planning document presents Haiti's reconstruction strategy following the devastating 2010 earthquake. The plan emphasizes transforming the catastrophe into an opportunity for national transformation through three central objectives: reducing social inequalities, rebalancing the national territory by diminishing Port-au-Prince's dominance, and stopping environmental degradation to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards.
The document proposes organizing Haiti into three major regional solidarities: the North region (47% of population) centered around agricultural plains and less vulnerable to seismic risks; the Capital region (29% of population) requiring qualitative reconstruction focused on risk management; and the South region (24% of population) with high tourism, agricultural and environmental potential. The strategy leverages the massive population displacement of 600,000 people from the capital as an opportunity for territorial deconcentration.
The reconstruction approach is structured around four timeframes: vital emergency response, transitional period, structural projects (10-year horizon), and generational social transformation (20-year vision). The plan emphasizes creating 'virtuous chains' of interconnected projects rather than sectoral approaches, with particular focus on education system reconstruction, infrastructure development, and environmental protection.
Key strategic elements include developing a primary road network to support decentralization, integrated watershed management, and trigger projects that demonstrate state presence while linking short-term urgency with long-term transformation goals.