City of Les Anglais – A new urban environment

Les Anglais is a small city on the south-east coast of Haiti, located in a beautiful valley open to the ocean and sheltered on three sides by hills. The fresh water for the city is provided by a large river flowing into the ocean.

The new city masterplan proposes to address the issue of creating housing and basic amenities for 60,000 people affected by the 2010 earthquake while expanding and improving the urban environment for the existing community in Les Anglais. The proposal includes provisions for a phase 2 expansion of another 60,000.

The new city will not only build needed housing and utilities for the local community, but also intends to attract tourists and commerce to this very picturesque area of Haiti. To that effect the master plan will include a large resort and golf development, a new airport, a harbour for commercial and cruise ships, and beautiful commercial waterfront developments with shops, restaurants and open market areas along the ocean coast and along the river.

Power will be generated locally by damming the river upstream for a hydroelectric plant and using wind turbines to take advantage of the coastal wind effects. 

City Masterplan

The masterplan includes a fresh water treatment plant, a waste water treatment plant and a landfill area. The existing road that passes through Les Anglais and crosses the river will become the major traffic artery connecting the old city to the civic and commercial center, to the neighborhood blocks, the resort amenities and the airport. 

Legend:

1. Future residential development
2. Reservoir, dam and hydroelectric plant
3. Wastewater Treatment Facility
4. Freshwater Treatment Plant
5. Residential Neighborhood
6. City Center
7. Harbor
8. Airport
9. Golf Course
10. Resort area
11. Solid waste processing facility
12. Possible future retail and commercial development

City Center – Public Buildings and Amenities

The city center includes large public parks, open and covered market, church, community center, hospital, library, firehouses and a police station. Some areas are still open for potential commercial development. The City Hall is facing the river and connecting to it via a stepped public park, with both pedestrian and vehicular access. Several bridges connect the center to residential neigborhoods on the other bank.

Standard City Block

The city blocks consist of housing units wrapped around small neighborhood squares, with schools and community ammenities in the center and retail on the perifery, where the larger vehicular access is located.

Residential Unit Options

The housing units are small but modular, which offers flexibility for the expansion of the layout and housing additional family members. Each unit has two walled private yards.

Housing Unit Legend:

1. Front Private Yard with outdoor lounge/eating area
2. Living Room
3. Bedroom
4. Bathroom
5. Back Yard