PORTMORE, JAMAICA June 6, 2025: The Urban Development Corporation, UDC is pleased to report that preliminary data is being assessed from the Climate Change Tower installed at the Portmore Resilience Park which analyses air quality in the urban centre of Portmore. This comes on the heels of global recognition of today as World Environment Day.
The Climate Change Tower, which represents our continued commitment to scientific progress and environmental stewardship, will collect critical data that will inform national development strategies. In collaboration with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the UDC confirmed that full sensor deployment will continue toward the completion of the park.
“This development is proof that sustainable design and forward-thinking development can yield real environmental dividends,” said Sara Simpson, Director of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Planning at the UDC.
The Climate Change Tower is a high-precision atmospheric monitoring system that will eventually capture more data on temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, dust, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Routine data collection from the tower will contribute to Jamaica’s broader climate action framework, ensuring data-driven decision-making in areas such as urban planning, public health, and national infrastructure.
The station will support Jamaica’s climate resilience efforts by enabling policymakers to monitor and mitigate urban pollution, detect trends in climate variability, and formulate informed, community-focused environmental policies.
The Portmore Resilience Park, where the tower is located, represents Jamaica’s first “smart park”, an innovation ecosystem designed to showcase climate adaptation and mitigation in real-time. The park incorporates solar energy, drip irrigation, native landscaping, stormwater detention basins, and interactive educational displays that promote public understanding of climate science.
Key environmental benefits integrated into the park include urban forestry (tree canopies) that will trap carbon dioxide, cool ambient temperatures, and reduce pollutants; water-smart systems that conserve resources and manage runoff; and green infrastructure that filters major pollutants from stormwater.
With a mandate to “build better, smarter, and greener,” UDC’s initiative is a model for how Jamaica can tackle climate change at the urban level. As the Climate Change Tower moves toward full operational capacity, the data it provides will become integral to national environmental strategies, ensuring a healthier, more resilient Jamaica for future generations.
The Portmore Resilience Park is on track for completion in 2025 and will offer environmental education opportunities featuring the Climate Change Tower and other smart features.
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