Organization
The DOW falls under the Ministry of Spatial Development, Infrastructure, and Environment, which is responsible for public works. The DOW is a state-owned enterprise and has been in existence of 90 years. The DOW's task is to ensure and/or contribute to a well-ordered and high-quality physical living environment in Aruba, in a policy- and plan-oriented manner and with the necessary (legal) instruments, for the benefit of the Aruban community, its guests, its strategic partners in the Dutch Kingdom, and other partners in the Caribbean and Latin American region.
In addition to an executive role, the DOW also explicitly has a policy advisory role for the government and other public services. The DOW supports the government in making policy decisions and in providing transport and work capacity, and it is responsible for the implementation, compliance, and supervision of the Building and Housing Ordinance (AB 1999 no. GT 9, amended by AB 2006 nos. 38 and 59) and the Building and Housing Decree (AB 1999 no. GT 10).
The legal powers, actions, and general rules and guidelines concerning tenders are established by the National Decree on Public Procurement (AB 1996 no. 58) and the Uniform Administrative Conditions (UAV) of 1989.
This means that the entire policy area of public works (housing supervision and construction for both private and government, road construction, road maintenance, street furniture, plazas, green spaces, parks, beaches, rainwater drainage, sewerage, wastewater treatment, and emergencies) must be systematically managed.
As a result, the administrative actions of the DOW need to be more guided than ever by the developments and needs within Aruban society, along with the required quality standards and available resources.
In summary, the DOW is responsible for the design, maintenance, and management of the public domain. The aim is to implement the policy of the government and the minister responsible for public works by translating policy into strategic development and tangible projects, within the financial and social policy frameworks set by the government. In 2018, the DOW was closely involved in the preparation and execution of various government projects.
The DOW consists of six (5) main departments, which are further structured into sub-departments and sections: