Identified priorities for smart urban regeneration: Focus group findings from the city of Port Louis, Mauritius

Abstract

Although the Government of Mauritius has launched a ‘smart city’ initiative in Mauritius, there has been no effort to improve existing cities. The emergence of new cities supported by strong governmental fiscal incentives are leading to an environment of increasing urban competition with existing cities. The capital city of Port Louis is being challenged to attract and retain business. The fiscal incentives pose an unfair competitive business advantage for commercial operations in new smart cities. Coupled with governmental policies to relocate administrative functions away from the capital, this economic environment supports the slow urban decay of Port Louis. This study showcases the findings from a focus group discussion, aimed at finding recommendations for ‘smarting’ the existing city of Port Louis, while identifying and supporting avenues for urban regeneration. Thirty-one participants from public, private and foreign institutions in the fields of urban planning, urban governance and policy were invited to participate in this study and the findings reveal six emergent priorities that need to be coupled with fiscal incentives for regenerating the urban fabric of Port Louis.