Escape to Belize: Building Sustainably in Paradise

With the longest barrier reef in the hemisphere, extensive mangrove forests, diverse wildlife, and ancient Mayan ruins, Belize is endowed with remarkable natural and cultural riches.

We believe sustainable development that balances economic prosperity with environmental protection is essential.

This is the vision behind Toucan Bay, the new sustainably-designed mixed-use community being developed on the Cerros Peninsula of Corozal, Belize. 

The Developer: Committed to Sustainability

Toucan Bay, the developer behind Escape to Belize (ETB), recognizes the significant environmental constraints and sees them as design opportunities rather than obstacles. As a member of the Kelly Group, Toucan Bay maintains a group of sustainability-focused real estate professionals, architects, and entrepreneurs who fell in love with Belize but also saw room for improvement in how development happens. They set out with a mission to create a new model for responsible development in Belize that gives back more than it takes.

Before even drafting initial plans, Toucan Bay conducted extensive community outreach through surveys, focus groups, and public meetings to understand the priorities and concerns of Corozal residents. This input directly shaped the vision and approach for ETB by identifying issues like the need to conserve water, manage waste sustainably, preserve public beach access, protect marine life, retain the area’s distinctive character, and boost the local economy.

Armed with this critical perspective, Toucan Bay worked with top Belizean environmental consultants to produce a comprehensive 1000+ page Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to submit to Belize’s Department of Environment, as required by law. The EIA provided an in-depth analysis of the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the proposed development across all spheres – water quality, forests, reef health, air quality, waste, energy use, climate resilience, and more. It also gave concrete recommendations that were integrated into the design, like conducting only minimal dredging for boat slips, establishing substantial setbacks from the shoreline, implementing integrated pest management during construction and operation, preventing any stormwater runoff into the reef through drainage design, and utilizing low-impact pile driving methods.

A Development Designed for Sustainability

Toucan Bay has already incorporated many findings from the EIA and community consultations into ETB’s master plan and infrastructure designs. For instance, to reduce demands on the peninsula’s limited groundwater reserves, over 60% of the development’s water will come from reclaimed water through an on-site wastewater treatment system. Toucan Bay will also use water-efficient native plantings and low-flow fixtures to minimize potable water needs.

Sustainability is woven throughout the community’s design. To minimize waste, ETB plans to implement recycling and composting infrastructure and collection throughout the development. Bioswales, retention ponds, permeable pavement and other green infrastructure will absorb and filter stormwater on-site before it can reach the sea. Over 50% more native trees will be planted than legally required, helping restore degraded habitat and capture carbon. 

The human dimension of sustainability has not been overlooked. Public parks, trails, lookout points, and access to the coast will be woven throughout Toucan Bay to allow all residents and visitors to enjoy the aea’s natural beauty. The development will also support various conservation and education programs, like mangrove restoration, sustainable and opportunities for tourists to volunteer on environmental initiatives. A team of biologists, naturalists, and interpreters will provide on-site expertise.

Boosting the Local Economy Responsibly

ETB has committed to sourcing over half of construction materials, labor, and operational services locally to spread economic benefits. 

While promising significant economic gains, Toucan Bay designed ETB with the surrounding community and environment in mind. By proactively engaging stakeholders, thoroughly assessing impacts, and integrating sustainability principles throughout the project, ETB hopes to set a new standard for responsible development in Belize’s precious natural areas. They believe ETB can become a globally recognized model for how to construct thoughtfully designed communities that enable economic prosperity while also actively enhancing ecological health. If executed conscientiously, similar well-planned developments can provide Belizeans with jobs and opportunities without sacrificing the country’s natural and cultural heritage that makes it such a gem worth protecting.