Kingston, Jamaica, 30 June 2026
Developers, planners and financiers have been told that building to withstand stronger storms must be treated as a basic requirement rather than an optional extra, as Jamaica rebuilds after Hurricane Melissa.
Robert Montague, the Minister without Portfolio responsible for Land Titling and Settlements, made the call on 25 June while opening a Jamaica Developers Association real estate webinar focused on costs, risks and resilience after the hurricane.
Resilience from the first meeting
Mr Montague said those who design, finance and approve projects effectively decide whether new communities will cope with future shocks. He said Hurricane Melissa, like Hurricane Beryl before it, had shown that resilience is essential.
He argued that heavier rainfall, stronger storms and more frequent climate events require a change in how Jamaica plans and builds, and that resilience cannot be added at the end of a project. Instead, he said, it belongs in the first design meeting, the first survey and the first investment decision. He pointed to smarter building practices, improved drainage, climate-resilient materials and better planning tools, urging the industry to invest in innovation and “never compromise on standards.”
The role of NaRRA
The minister said the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) would support that effort by promoting resilient infrastructure, strengthening planning systems and encouraging development that takes risk into account. He described the authority’s mission as building back better for developers, investors and communities, not merely replacing what was lost.
He added that resilient development depends on a full partnership between the Government, developers and lenders, and urged stakeholders to look beyond the next project or election cycle to the kind of Jamaica they want to leave behind.
What it means for buyers
For people buying off-plan or in new schemes, the minister’s message offers a useful checklist. Buyers can ask developers how drainage has been designed, what roofing and structural standards are being used, and whether the site has been assessed for flood risk.
Resilient features may add to the upfront cost of a home, but they can reduce repair bills, insurance headaches and disruption after a storm. As lenders and insurers pay closer attention to climate risk, homes built to a higher standard may also hold their value better over time.
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