The Barbados Government is advancing an ambitious strategy to convert abandoned and derelict buildings into climate-resilient homes, Acting Prime Minister Dr. William Duguid announced at a major hemispheric forum of housing ministers this week.
Speaking at the 34th General Assembly of the Forum of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Housing and Urban Development of Latin America and the Caribbean (MINURVI), held at the Hilton Barbados Resort, Dr. Duguid said the region’s escalating climate threats were exposing weaknesses in outdated infrastructure — and forcing governments to rethink how existing spaces are used.
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“The infrastructure of today was built for a climate that no longer exists,” he told delegates. “As we build for the future, we must build for the new climate that exists. It means building back better with greater emphasis on resilience — not only in roads, but in buildings and housing as well.”
Turning Underused Assets into Opportunity
Dr. Duguid noted that the forum’s focus on utilising vacant land and abandoned structures was especially timely, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa across Jamaica and Cuba. He said neglected buildings and empty parcels, if strategically redeveloped, could significantly reduce housing shortages, strengthen urban centres, and attract private investment.
“The use of vacant land and abandoned buildings — and how these underutilised assets can contribute to local urban dynamics — is being actively explored here in Barbados,” he said. “We are identifying ways for governments to leverage their land assets to attract private-sector participation in regeneration and housing, enabling inclusive and resilient urban development.”
Policies Already in Motion
The acting prime minister confirmed that the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Maintenance is already pushing forward with targeted policies, including a joint initiative with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to map and repurpose derelict homes and empty lots within urban corridors.
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“In collaboration with the IDB, we are advancing technical work on the reuse of vacant lots and derelict houses for future housing development,” he said. “This has long been a national priority, but redirecting and repurposing derelict properties is always challenging. Still, it is essential.”
Dr. Duguid stressed that today’s housing agenda intersects with climate resilience, economic competitiveness, public health, and social justice — making coordinated action non-negotiable.
Regional Leaders Call for Unified Action
Minister of Housing Chris Gibbs echoed this urgency, emphasising that regional collaboration was vital as countries face increasingly unpredictable climate events.
“This is what makes this conference so important — that we can collectively determine how to build resilience across our infrastructure,” he said. Lessons from Jamaica, he added, underscored the dire need for modern drainage systems and stronger urban planning.
Gibbs noted that the forum’s themes — urban transition, climate adaptation, resilience, and housing — align closely with discussions at the recent COP30 ministerial meeting in Belém, Brazil. He warned that climate impacts have become “the great equaliser,” placing every nation in a position of heightened vulnerability.
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A Critical Moment for the Region
In a pre-recorded address, José Manuel Salazar Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), said the region is facing a decisive crossroads.
He warned of long-standing structural challenges — slow growth, high inequality, low social mobility, and fragile institutions — all of which are being worsened by the climate emergency.
“Nowhere are these issues more visible than in the housing sector,” he said. “Millions of families still live without basic services or in precarious conditions that expose them even more to climate risks.”
As Barbados and neighbouring countries grapple with the realities of a rapidly shifting climate, transforming abandoned structures into resilient housing is emerging as a key strategy — one that leaders say could help safeguard communities, reduce housing deficits, and reshape urban landscapes for a warmer, more volatile future.
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