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A New Vision for Port Vila: CBD Concept Plan Under Discussion

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3–4 minutes

Port Vila, Vanuatu – June 2025

The Government of Vanuatu, through the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is currently leading a consultation and planning process for the redevelopment of Port Vila’s Central Business District (CBD). This initiative comes in response to the structural and economic impacts caused by the December 2024 earthquake.

Key Points

  • Concept plan by DUAP (Urban Affairs & Planning – Vanuatu)
  • Response to Dec 2024 earthquake
  • Under consultation – not yet approved
  • Covers Centrepoint, Market, and CBD North precincts
  • Focus on resilience, public space, transport, and heritage

The concept plan, titled the Port Vila CBD Concept Earthquake Recovery Plan, outlines a potential transformation of the capital’s urban core — including civic, commercial, and historic precincts. The project is still in its consultation phase and is intended to guide long-term recovery and infrastructure resilience.

Centrepoint Precinct: Reclaiming Civic Space

At the core of the proposal is the redevelopment of the Centrepoint Precinct, including:

  • Vila Harbour Plaza (former petrol station): Proposed lease, site clearing, new paving, tree planting, and a temporary pop-up food bar.
  • Mamma’s Market Plaza (VNPF-owned): Relocation of the car park, beautification of existing buildings, signage, lighting, a grassy bank amphitheatre, and interim shade structures.
  • Centre Point Car Park: New 100-space carpark with canopy trees and pedestrian links, built to meet earthquake conditions.
  • Link Road: A new road and footpath connecting Paris Street to De Gaulle Road.
  • Giant Staircase: Proposed pedestrian link from Centre Point to the Vila Bay Lookout, with scenic landings, art panels, and an upgraded viewing area.
  • Cruise Ship Pontoon: A public works project in progress, designed to temporarily dock boats transporting up to 400 cruise passengers, with shared public use when inactive.

Market Precinct: Activating Vacant and Public Land

In the Market Precinct, the concept plan includes:

  • Northern Vacant Site: Investigate future integration; possible development into a surface car park.
  • Southern Vacant Site (former demolished building): Temporary activation ideas, extension of the foreshore walking path, and longer-term redevelopment options.
  • Transport Upgrades: Enlargement of bus stops and re-evaluation of vehicle loading zones and timing.

CBD North Precinct: Heritage and Modern Use

Key sites in the CBD North Precinct could include:

  • Boulevard/Kumul Street Corner: Potential activation for commercial use, such as a modern supermarket and structured car park, with a widened Paris Street frontage.
  • Former President’s Residence: Restoration and repurposing as a tourist attraction, with boutique hotel or restaurant potential and international development partnerships.
  • Bus Holding and Utility Zone: Street widening and formalised bus standing zones near administrative offices, with tree-lined design.

CBD-Wide Initiatives: Foundations for a Resilient City

The concept also introduces broader city-wide initiatives:

  • Tropical Design Excellence: Emphasis on architectural and landscape quality that reflects the Pacific environment.
  • Circulation and Access: Traffic reforms, pedestrian-friendly street design (e.g. Kumul Street), improved vehicle access (Paris Street), and expanded waterfront paths.
  • Infrastructure: Prioritising stormwater drainage, sewer and wastewater systems, and water reticulation — all before road reconstruction.
  • Place Management and Wayfinding: Improved signage, naming consistency, and public events planning.
  • Construction Management: Phased construction plans with temporary decanting of functions to reduce disruption.
  • Policy and Implementation Support: Review of potential regulatory challenges, agency responsibilities, and investment incentives.

Next Steps

This concept is part of ongoing discussions on the future of Port Vila’s post-earthquake recovery and long-term urban development. While nothing is confirmed, the plan offers a forward-looking framework for a safer, more walkable, and economically vibrant city.

Public input, partner engagement, and staged implementation strategies will be critical if these ideas move from concept to reality.

250527_Port Vila_CONCEPT_Rev 2 1 1Download

Disclaimer

The Port Vila CBD Concept Earthquake Recovery Plan is a draft proposal for consultation purposes only. It has not been formally approved, funded, or scheduled for construction. All information presented reflects concept-stage thinking and is subject to change based on stakeholder input, technical assessment, and resourcing.

Image Use Note: The aerial map used as the cover illustration is a modified version of an original concept image developed by the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP), Government of Vanuatu. It has been edited to remove annotations for clarity in public communication. The content remains the intellectual property of DUAP and is used here for informational purposes only.

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