The King’s Foundation and The Government of Guyana announce collaboration on sustainable vision for capital city Georgetown
This Commonwealth Day, The King’s Foundation is highlighting its partnership with the Government of Guyana to support sustainable development in the country. This is primarily taking place through the Georgetown Urban Framework Plan, a landmark initiative aligned with the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.
Developed in collaboration with national and local stakeholders, the Framework Plan has been developed by experts in The King’s Foundation’s Projects Team. It sets out a long-term vision to transform Guyana’s capital city, Georgetown, into a resilient, connected and inclusive capital city that balances heritage protection with modern, low-carbon growth.
The plan addresses some of the city’s most pressing challenges including drainage and flood resilience, transport and mobility, urban expansion, and the protection of historic buildings.
Working alongside the Office of the President and other key national stakeholders, The King’s Foundation has helped shape a strategy that reimagines Georgetown as a garden city, supporting walkable neighbourhoods and revitalising its historic waterfront.
Following the collaboration to produce the Framework Plan, the partnership between the Government of Guyana and The King’s Foundation is also progressing seven demonstration projects. These include plans for a new sustainable Demonstration Town Canal City, to structure future urban growth, a heritage-led revitalisation of the Transport and Harbours Building, improvements to Georgetown’s historic Stabroek Market and the surrounding district, and a strategy to regenerate the Water Street riverfront corridor.
Other initiatives focus on creating healthier and more accessible streets for walking and cycling in Georgetown, as well as developing innovative architecture that integrates nature-based climate solutions, such as the proposed Biodiversity Demonstration Building.
A key element of the programme is Harmony Village and the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge, planned in the rural community of Moraikobai. Inspired by His Majesty The King’s long-standing commitment to sustainable communities, the project will support Indigenous-led development through education, enterprise and training in areas such as sustainable farming, traditional medicine, craft production and ecological stewardship. The Harmony Village, amongst other projects in Guyana supported by The King’s Foundation, were recently showcased in the landmark documentary feature film Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision from Prime Video.
Together, the projects demonstrate how sustainable design, heritage conservation and community-led development can work together to support Guyana’s low-carbon future.
“Our partnership with the Government of Guyana represents an exciting opportunity to help shape a sustainable future for Georgetown while celebrating the city’s remarkable heritage and natural environment. The projects emerging from the Urban Framework Plan show how thoughtful planning, rooted in local culture and ecological understanding, can deliver real benefits for communities.
Ben Bolgar, Executive Director for Projects at The King’s Foundation
“It was particularly rewarding to see this work recognised in the recent documentary Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision. The film highlights His Majesty’s lifelong commitment to sustainable development and reinforces how partnerships like this can turn shared ideas into practical action.”