The Department of Physical Planning recently benefitted from three training workshops aimed at strengthening its capacity to design and implement infrastructural works that can better withstand natural disasters.

The training forms part of the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP).

The main focus of the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project is to create safer and more resilient communities for the people of Saint Lucia. The core concept of building smarter includes energy efficiency, cost savings, and ultimately, resilience to natural and climate-related disasters.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Physical Planning Department, Hildreth Lewis, said the capacity-building exercises, similar to the recently-concluded spatial data sessions, will result in improved efficiency and services for the people of the Saint Lucia.

Lead trainer, Mike Ghitis, said staff who benefited from the Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology training, will now be able to take raw data and turn it into valuable, actionable information that can help deliver value during every stage of the construction process — ultimately saving the country lots of money.

Some 20 persons comprising architects, architectural assistants, engineers, land and quantity surveyors, from the Department of Physical Planning, received training over a three-week period.