The Case of Fort-de-France
The functional urban area (FUA) of the Case Study in Fort-de-France
Fort-de-France in Martinique faces sustainability challenges involving the legacy of Chlordecone pollution. For many years, Chlordecone pesticides were used for banana cultivation in Martinique, however, they eventually were banned for being carcinogen and highly toxic. Chlordecone is a persistent pollutant, and Martinique’s soils remain highly toxic, contaminating the growth of fruits, vegetables and other flora in gardens, bodies of water, including oceans, rivers and ponds as a result of runoff, as well as bodies of individuals. In addition to Chlordecone pollution, the island is also struggling with coastal erosion and the loss of marine biodiversity, such as corals, due to rising sea surface temperatures and the increased frequency and magnitude of tropical cyclones.
Despite these sustainability challenges, hope, resistance and adaptability thrives in Martinique, and nature-based solutions are currently working to tackle issues of biodiversity loss and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. Many nature-based projects are embedded in not only ecological solutions tackling issues of biodiversity, but are also highly entangled with social, cultural and political dimensions. Projects emphasize the importance of intergenerational education, pedagogy, therapy, and the transformation of social narratives to emphasize a reciprocal responsibility for and with nature. A diverse set of actors across sectors are working in Martinique to implement nature-based solutions.
My dream is that, within Martinique, we can create something that will anchor this territory in biodiversity and culture [...] My dream is that a kind of fire will come out of Martinique to say, we can live together with all our cultures, we can live together with all this biodiversity, we are a hotspot after all.
Three examples of nature-based solutions in Fort-de-France
The city of Le Lamentin is home to the largest stretch of mangrove in Martinique, making it an important ecological site for restoration and reafforestation. After years of research and political work, the project (Reciprocité) formed out of a collective recognition of the critical condition and ecological importance of mangrove ecosystems. The project focuses on education, outreach, and art, mandating biodiversity training for government officials.
The project (Jardin de la Croix Rouge et de D’antilles et D’ailleurs) was established with the idea of creating a therapeutic garden to support sex workers that are victims of sexual assault, whilst also grounding it in the core values of the lead NGO, D’antilles et D’ailleurs - a social mission to establish pathways out of poverty by using nature-based solutions. The therapeutic garden provides a safe and therapeutic space.
Martinique is a desirable location for foreign investors and commercial actors linked to tourism, such as Club Mediterranee (Club Med). One project supported by the Club Med Foundation was done in partnership with Peyi Vert, a local environmental company whose mission is to re-plant native trees to boost local wildlife in Martinique. With the help of Peyi Vert, the Club Med Foundation planted over 1,500 cocoa trees on the Esperance site.
Figure 1. A view through the coastal mangroves of Martinique in the city of Le Lamentin. (Photo source: Séréna Aupoix)
Figure 2. A fresco in downtown Fort-de-France, showcasing whale’s tale covered in marine plastic in front of a community garden. (Photo source: Séréna Aupoix)
Figure 3. Jardin de le Croix Rougue. A therapuetic space for healing. (Photo source: Séréna Aupoix)