Urban Development Corporation

The Urban Development Corporation is one of the leading urban and rural development agencies in the Caribbean. Since 1968, the UDC has sought to transform Jamaica's most viable urban centres and strategic rural towns, whilst preserving the natural environment and spurring economic development. The core business objective of the UDC is to make development happen through the planning and implementat

ion of comprehensive projects and programmes, in designated areas. It has the responsibility to:
• Layout, construct and provide primary infrastructure, in the designated areas
• Provide secondary development such as residential, commercial and recreational facilities
• Provide services such as construction management and technical services
• Provide property management services, which include property rentals, and sales in both primary and secondary developments
• Manage conference services at the Jamaica Conference Centre
• Facilitate management services through St. Ann Development Company and National Hotels and Properties
• Provide utilities through Runaway Bay Water Company
The Corporation is headed by a Chairman, and a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister with portfolio responsibility for the organization (currently the Prime Minister). The Boards of all subsidiary companies established by the Corporation to implement its objectives are also appointed by the Minister, on the recommendation of the Board. The day-to-day management of the Corporation is the responsibility of an administrative staff headed by the General Manager assisted by six (6) Deputy General Managers in charge of Finance, Treasury and Investment; Development Planning and Management; Economic Development and Corporate Relations; Corporate Security and Facilities Management; Human Resources Management and Administration; Legal and Estates. The Corporation finances itself through retained earnings, grants from the Government, loans from commercial banks and international lending institutions for primary infrastructure and secondary development. Income is also derived from the return on investments in land and buildings, property sales and project management fees. Through the years, the UDC has completed numerous projects including:
• The development of the waterfronts of Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril
• A Comprehensive Rural Township Development Programme (CRTDP)
• Projects under the San Jose Accord for Sports and Culture
• A Health Services Rationalisation Programme (HSRP)
• School Building Programmes
• Housing programmes – over 3000 solutions provided
Today, as the UDC continues to pursue its role to make development happen and to be a catalyst for both public and private sector developments, its focus is on:
1. Production and implementation of Development Plans
2. Economic and Community Development Programmes
3. Bond Financing
5. Housing Programmes
6. Non-Profit Incentives
7. Natural Resource Management and Environmental Planning
8. Renewable Energy