This photo gives a point-of-view (POV) perspective of a typical 8:00 a.m. workday. The photo was taken from the passenger seat, through the windscreen of a vehicle whose driver (my father) was on their way to work in Port-of-Spain. This image shows the exit/entry point of St.James at the beginning of the Western Main Road (located on the western periphery of Trinidad's capital city). This point is marked by its iconic sign as seen in the photo. The purpose of this blog is to show the "urban side" of St.James as the zone of assimilation for the Central Business District (Port-of-Spain). It is a district within the city. St. James was deemed part of the city of Port-of-Spain in 1938. It can be considered as one of the residential zones of the city.
The picture is meant to depict multiple aspects that one would deem 'urban' which would include mainly the traffic that flows into and out of St. James along its main artery (the Western Main Road). On the right, one can also see the recently-finished One Woodbrook Place which is a series of tall, upscale buildings that are divided into a multitude of activities (banking - Unit Trust bank, residential - condominiums, commercial - clothing stores and recreational - Digicel IMAX movie theater and various restaurants). The various power lines also indicate that the area has a demand for electricity and communication potential which are aspects that one can say that contributes to an urban area.Urban areas are very developed, meaning there is a density of human structures such as houses, commercial buildings and roads,
St. James is bordered by Woodbrook and the Maraval River to the East and the community of Cocorite to the West. Historically, St. James has been an area with a large percentage of its community having Indian roots. In 1845, Inidian indentured laborers settled in areas nearby after their contracts expired to work on the St. James plantations. The East Indians brought various aspects of their culture with them such as: the Hindu celebration, Divali and the Muslim observance, Hosay. It is seen that St. James has continued to be the center of Hosay observances in Trinidad up until present day. The East Indian influence in St. James is also emulated in the street names such as: Agra, Bengal, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Nepaul, Nizam and Patna.
St.James is often described as the city that never sleeps. Although it is not a city on its own, this description is still appropriate. The various bars, private clubs and festivities (such as Carnival and Hosay) that occur on the Main Road exhibit a very active nightlife of the middle aged people of this district. Much of these places and activities St. James contribute to the national economy. From retail to roadside car washes, there are many business in this district that benefits the country.
The form of this area has changed drastically compared to indentureship periods. It is now a very well-built residential and commercial area.
The picture is meant to depict multiple aspects that one would deem 'urban' which would include mainly the traffic that flows into and out of St. James along its main artery (the Western Main Road). On the right, one can also see the recently-finished One Woodbrook Place which is a series of tall, upscale buildings that are divided into a multitude of activities (banking - Unit Trust bank, residential - condominiums, commercial - clothing stores and recreational - Digicel IMAX movie theater and various restaurants). The various power lines also indicate that the area has a demand for electricity and communication potential which are aspects that one can say that contributes to an urban area.Urban areas are very developed, meaning there is a density of human structures such as houses, commercial buildings and roads,
St. James is bordered by Woodbrook and the Maraval River to the East and the community of Cocorite to the West. Historically, St. James has been an area with a large percentage of its community having Indian roots. In 1845, Inidian indentured laborers settled in areas nearby after their contracts expired to work on the St. James plantations. The East Indians brought various aspects of their culture with them such as: the Hindu celebration, Divali and the Muslim observance, Hosay. It is seen that St. James has continued to be the center of Hosay observances in Trinidad up until present day. The East Indian influence in St. James is also emulated in the street names such as: Agra, Bengal, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Nepaul, Nizam and Patna.
St.James is often described as the city that never sleeps. Although it is not a city on its own, this description is still appropriate. The various bars, private clubs and festivities (such as Carnival and Hosay) that occur on the Main Road exhibit a very active nightlife of the middle aged people of this district. Much of these places and activities St. James contribute to the national economy. From retail to roadside car washes, there are many business in this district that benefits the country.
The form of this area has changed drastically compared to indentureship periods. It is now a very well-built residential and commercial area.
This image shows the popular rap artist, Trinidad James using iconic St.James sign in his music video, "Females Welcomed".
References:
Burgess, E. (1967). The growth of the city: An introduction to a research project. Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs-Merrill.
Clarke, C. (1974). Urbanization in the Caribbean. S.l.: S.n.].
Bestoftrinidad.com,. 2015. 'St. James'. http://www.bestoftrinidad.com/communities/stjames.html.
References:
Burgess, E. (1967). The growth of the city: An introduction to a research project. Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs-Merrill.
Clarke, C. (1974). Urbanization in the Caribbean. S.l.: S.n.].
Bestoftrinidad.com,. 2015. 'St. James'. http://www.bestoftrinidad.com/communities/stjames.html.
