Reflection/conclusion and GEOG 2016 - course colleagues' blog reviw

Port of Spain skyline

Socio-cultural heterogeneity is a very defining characteristic of urban communities. Urban communities are characterized by diverse peoples, races and cultures. There is great variety with regard to the food habits, dress habits, living conditions, religious beliefs, cultural outlook, customs and traditions of the urban dwellers, all of which have all been used here to showcase the urban side of St. James. Through this blog, St. James is meant to look like an increasingly developed urban area with a large emphasis on culture, entrepreneurship and socialization. This blog has been a tremendous learning experience. As we progressed in our study we found that the functions and various aspects of St. James expanded far beyond what we see on the surface.

Course colleagues' work:

Kristen and Celine gave a very informative view of the urban diversity in Chaguanas. It is seen that Chaguanas exhibits very similar aspects and functions to that of St. James such as entertainment, finance and education. It is very different in the aspects of agriculture and industry as St .James does not offer these functions. Chaguanas does not have a city status whereas St. James is considered as part of the Capital (district). Their blog was an overall good read and provided an re-enforcing view of the urban aspects of Chaguanas both known and unknown. It also may help persons to further understand the reasons behind the urban formations in Trinidad.

Hayden, Mala and Nakita had a very invigorating blog on the entertainment in Trinidad and Tobago. It gives a very unique perspective of many of the social activities that take place in the urban areas. Much of these activities in our opinion is regularly overlooked but thanks to this blog we were able to gain a better understanding of these activities and their causes as well their importance to culture. Our blog has also highlighted similar urban entertainment and culture. Therefore it is very relatable to us and may give a better understanding to the socio-cultural aspects of St. James and the processes behind it.

Paulette and Jonathan's blog about integrating disabilities had a very unusual yet interesting topic. Disabilities were highlighted as an important issue in urban areas. The methods to incorporate persons with disabilities were also investigated. Processes such as social exclusion were explained in depth. This was also mentioned in our blog but in a different context. Overall this blog was very informative about the issue at hand and what could be done to improve the situation but we found it somewhat monotonous at times. From a geographers view, we thought it exhibited an accurate representation of space and place.

Festivities and culture

photo 1: showing masqueraders entering St. James under the iconic sign on Carnival Tuesday, 2015

The Great Parade

photo 2: showing a preview of the activity that occurs during Trinidad and Tobago Carnival in the YUMA mas band. They seem to be enjoying themselves quite a lot. 

Although it is centred around entertainment, this celebration has been becoming increasingly economic in nature. To partake in an actual mas band, members pay thousands of dollars but this does not seem to deter the thousands of masqueraders, spectators and tourists that indulge its the famous festivities. Some even call it the greatest show on earth.

photo 3: showing the Muslim celebration, Hosay that takes place every year in St. James.  

photo 4: showing the Hindu festival, Divali, the Festival of Light which as has been revamped in St. James by the Singh's family on Ethel Street several years ago. 

source: Guardian news paper

In this photo one can also see the dormitory and security (gates and walls) funtions of this residential zone. A residential zone is one of the functional zone within a city.

Socio-cultural heterogeneity is a very defining characteristic of urban communities. These images are meant to capture the various aspects of: religion, tradition, history, ethnic diversity and an overall cultural diversity that are expressed in these festivals. These festivals are an expression of the culture not only present in urban areas like St. James but also in many parts of Trinidad and Tobago. Festivals are a notable part of most urban cultural landscapes, providing opportunities for community and audience engagement at a scale and scope unique among cultural events. 

References:

Carroli, Linda. 2010. 'Culture & Urban Strategy: A Case Study Of A Major Festival', 1. http://www.academia.edu/2223833/Culture_and_Urban_Strategy_A_case_study_of_a_major_festival.

Lyndersay, Mark. 2013. 'A Very Personal Light'. Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2013-11-06/very-personal-light.

Yourarticlelibrary.com,. 2015. '20 Important Characteristics Of Urban Community | Sociology'. http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/20-important-characteristics-of-urban-community-sociology/4873/.

Protection - TTPS

photo 1: showing St. James police station at night. One can see a response vehicle on site in case there is any need for police action or patrols. 

One can frequently see the Trinidad and Tobago  presence in St. James especially on the Western Main Road. They sometimes help enforce traffic regulations such as the safe zone for Mucorapo Girls R.C. school. Although it may seem like there is a nationwide sense of no confidence in the Police Service the St. James police station had been called to action more than a couple of times. Serious incidents such as the bombing outside Smokey and Bunty in 2005 have been quelled by this service. Formal social control is a characteristic of an urban community and is exhibited by the police service.

As urbanisation and therefore population increases, so too does the amount of crime. The Trinidad and Tobago Government has recently funded a pilot program, Community Comfort Patrol (CCP) in order to assist police and increase the level of security in communities such as St.James. Having a growing population requires an increased need for protection and peace of mind.
Defence/security is a function of an urban area.

photo 2: showing the residence of the Commissioner of Police near  the entrance of the Police Barracks (training academy) on the Western Main Road.

source: trinioutdoors

One can see that even here, there is a need for walls and fencing - the first line of security. Crime is a serious issue affecting not only St. James but the entire country. Walls and fences are extremely common if not always present around every house and building in this country. They not only serve the purpose of security but also the purpose of voluntary exclusion and individualism - which are also characteristics urban communities.

References:

Joseph, Fancis. 2005. '12 Injured In St James Blast'. Newsday. http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,30847.html.

Kowlessar, Geisha. 2015. '$4.5M More For Comfort Patrol'. Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-01-20/45m-more-comfort-patrol.

Myers, Samuel L. "Crime in urban areas: New evidence and results." Journal of Urban Economics 11, no. 2 (1982): 148-158.

Road vendors and more food!

photo 1: showing fruit stall on the corner of Bournes Road and the Western Main Road.

This photo also depicts a building of mixed use. Behind the fruit stall the building consists of a pharmacy downstairs and a Christian church upstairs. Mixed-use development is urban/suburban development, or even a single building, that blends a combination of residential, commercial, cultural or institutional uses, where those functions are physically and functionally integrated, and that provides pedestrian connections. This mixed use also shows the optimal use of vertical space. This is an important urban characteristic as it shows the utilization of scarce land by vertical usage. Mixed-use developments can increase the convenience and enjoyment in people's everyday lives.

photo 2: showing a doubles vendor on a Friday morning on the Western Main Road.

Doubles is a local dish that is widely eaten across Trinidad and Tobago and is therefore part of urban culture and cuisine. It is also the go to food for a quick, cheap breakfast of urban dwellers with a fast-paced lifestyle. It is often consumed on spot which then gives way to increased social interaction. Many people have their doubles with slight pepper.

photo 3: showing a drink cart, Harry's Punch on the Western Main Road.

It only opens at night to accommodate the people of the social side walks and night life. 

              Having a number of vendors in close proximity can sometimes lead to competition.

photo 4: showing an ice cream vendor at night on the Western Main Road in front of the post office.

This shows an aspect of the night life very effectively since this vendor obviously cannot be present during the day in front of a public building.

photo 5: showing a pirated DVD roadside store on the Western Main Road.

Urban community functions include that of entertainment, and where there's entertainment there is always Food, St James has a wide variety of both eats and drinks. Urban areas like St. James possess a large variety of food choices. This is because the urban community provides a sufficient market for these small businesses to be profitable and therefore abundant.

References:

Amarasekera, Athula. "Critical analysis of vertical mixed use development: the transit and spatial interface." PhD diss., The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1996.

Tinker, Irene. Street foods: Urban food and employment in developing countries. Oxford University Press, 1997.

Food - international and local franchises

photo 1: showing American fast food franchise, Burger King on the Western Main Road. 

There is a number of fast food varieties to chose from you can have what ever you like.

photo 2: showing American fast food franchise, KFC which is also situated on the Western Main Road. KFC is extremely popular around Trinidad and Tobago and has become integrated into the the local cuisine and pellet (culture). Look at that long line...Trini's love this stuff called  Fast Food.

The presence of these international franchises not only displays the commercial (urban) function of St. James but also the effect of globalization when it comes to food - the greater availability and diversity of food, particularly American fast food. This is closely associated with urbanization. Food franchises, especially international ones typically establish themselves in areas where they can make profits. These areas will be ones that have a high population density which would most likely be an urban areas such as St James.

                                                                   

photo 3: showing local fast food franchise, Royal Castle on Western Main road.

This photo is also meant to depict the socialization activity known as 'liming' in Trinidad which can be characterized as urban in nature. Also, it may not be obvious, but upstairs section of this franchise is actually a residence which most likely owns the entire property and collects rent from the Royal Castle franchise. Here one can see the mixture of land use and building use of an urban area. 

photo 4: showing local food franchise, Hott shoppe (roti) located on Mucorapo Road, St. James.

at a hot shop

In the latter two photos, one can see the effects of having pavements. They influence socialization and therefore the interactive urban side of the culture of St. James as people socialize outside food places etc. Side walks allow people to do this in safety as they are out of the way of vehicular traffic (a characteristic of urban areas). The presence of all these fast foot outlets indicate the typical busy, fast-paced lifestyle of an urban community.

References:

Jacobs, Jane. The death and life of great American cities. Vintage, 1961.

Jacobs, Jane. "The uses of sidewalks: safety." The City Reader (1961): 114-118.

Kennedy, Gina, Guy Nantel, and Prakash Shetty. "Globalization of food systems in developing countries: a synthesis of country case studies."Globalization of food systems in developing countries: impact on food security and nutrition 83, no. 1 (2004).

The night life

photo 1: showing Universal Bar on the Western Main Road on a Thursday night. One can see various patrons in and around the bar emulating the urban concept of 'night life'.

photo 2: showing the very popular bar, Smokey and Bunty. It is also located on the Western Main Road obliquely opposite to Universal bar. A similar setting is also seen. On weekends, the crowds of patrons are far larger than what is depicted here.

"The district of St. James has been called “the city that never sleeps” because of its thumping music, sidewalk vendors and straightforward, down-to-earth drinking dens. You’ll find loads of bars along the Western Main Road. Of these, the most famous is the signature Smokey and Bunty‘s, a legendary liming spot where regular characters who are an evening’s entertainment all by themselves." (discovertnt.com)

photo 3: showing newly opened lounge, 'On Mucorapo' located on Mucurapo Road, St. James.

source: facebook.com

The demand for leisure activities drove the development of a landscape for leisure in the built environment. Visionary entrepreneurs began to make such leisure sites more accessible, safe, clean, and attractive to render them respectable to the middle class. With the rise of the industrial city, leisure became a more important and clearly discernible part of the pattern of daily life (culture) in St. James. Despite the longtime existence of a small upper class with the time and resources to pursue cultivated leisure activities in the colonial and early national periods, most Trinidadians enjoy a more middle class clearly defined leisure time such as in St James.

There are many other facilities that provide a form of leisure such as: casinos, private member clubs and recreational parks. St. James resembles the famous, Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook, another urban area which is also a part of the city of Port of Spain. It has a variety of different recreational facilities such as night clubs and casinos. St. James therefore provides the urban function of recreation and can therefore be defined as an urban area.

References: 

Encyclopedia.com,. 2015. 'Urbanization Of Leisure - Encyclopedia Of Recreation And Leisure In America | Encyclopedia.Com'. http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-3434800265/urbanization-leisure.html.

Discover Trinidad & Tobago Travel Guide,. 2013. 'Trinidad's Nightlife & Entertainment Scene | Discover Trinidad & Tobago Travel Guide'. http://www.discovertnt.com/articles/Trinidad/Trinidad-Nightlife-Entertainment-Scene/66/3/29#axzz3WvYfWJLJ.

Religion

photo 1: showing Muslim memorial mosque (Haji Gookool Meah) on the Western Main Road. This photo was taken at night and persons were still seen entering and leaving the facility. This shows that religion is an important aspect of the residents' lives.

photo 2: showing the Port of Spain Hindu Mandir (Paschim Kaashi). It is located on Ethel Street in St. James. In the 19th century St. James was a cane farming area inhabited by indentured Indian labourers. "It was their dream to erect a structure of which they could be proud. This took place in 1963 when construction began of Port of Spain's first Hindu Mandir or temple".

source: http://www.trinoutdoors.com/pages/religous%20sites.htm

These two religious facilities show the withstanding cultural influence of a predominantly East Indian community historically and presently. 

photo 3: showing St. Agnes Anglican church on Clarence Street, St. James

source: http://www.theanglicanchurchtt.com/parish-directory/

photo 4: showing St. Mary's Roman Catholic church on George Cabral Street, St. James. This church however is currently under renovation as of recent times.

source: bestoftrinidad.com

These two churches show the colonial/ christian influence in the building form of St. James.

Sacred places make up a significant and irreplaceable community asset - not only architecturally, but also in terms of the arts, human services, and community vitality. This is another reason why these religious structures have 'stood the test of urbanization'. St. James can therefore be said to have an Ecclesiastical function: this refers to the religious facilities provided by a town (an urban function). These religious institutions are also somewhat indicative of various ethnic groups present is St. James.

References:

Jaeger, Robert A. 2015. 'Urban Sacred Places: What Are They Worth'. Faith & Form Volume 47 (Issue 3). http://faithandform.com/feature/urban-sacred-places-worth/.

Skoool.ie,. 2015. 'Skoool.Ie :: Homework Zone'. http://www.skoool.ie/skoool/homeworkzone.asp?id=1910.

Trinoutdoors.com,. 2015. 'Religous Sites In Trinidad, Churches, Mandirs, Mosques, Temples And Places Ofworship'. http://www.trinoutdoors.com/pages/religous%20sites.htm.

Education

photo 1: showing Fatima College on Mocurapo Road, St. James. This denominational school has a Strong Roman Catholic influence. It can be considered the most prestigious secondary school in the area as it is well known for its academic and sporting achievements.

photo 2: showing St. James Secondary School located on Panka Street.

These photos were chosen as they exhibit some of the differing types of education facilities present in St. James. There are several other schools present in St. James such as: Mocurapo secondary school, Mocurapo Girls R.C. school, Mocurapo Boys R.C. school and Polytechnic Sixth Form Government school. The shear number of education facilities present indicate their need by the growing community. A large population is another urban characteristic.

Education is an important function of an urban area. Also, urbanization and literacy reinforce each other. As St. James grew as an urban community outside of the Port of Spain CBD area, in order to better serve the community a number of schools where established. Students of different ethnic, cultural and religious background residing within the community and surrounding areas were all able to access various educational facilities and schools at both primary and secondary level.  This in itself expanded the capacity of St James and confirmed some of its functions as an urban area.

References:

'Education Complements Urbanization'. 2013. Urbanization Project. http://urbanizationproject.org/blog/education-complements-urbanization#.VSlg5ty3sgd.

Business - the driving force, and possibly the MOST IMPORTANT POST!

photo 1: showing a Chinese grocery (DA ZHONG HUA) store along the Western Main Road. This picture is meant to display the busy and business oriented lifestyle within St. James (it is open at night).  

photo 2: showing a neighbouring Chinese grocery (Trust Mart) almost directly next to the first. It is open early for business on Friday morning. This also displays the business oriented characteristics of St. James.

These 'super markets' display urban characteristics of commercial development and high population density (as they are new businesses and the fact that larger populations require more sustenance)

photo 3: showing yet another Chinese-owned Business (Red Edge Shopping Centre) along the Western Main Road. It is a wholesale and retail store that sells mainly urban apparel (clothes, accessories etc.)

Through this, one can see the rise of a Chinese ethnic economy in St. James. This also occurs in many other urban areas of Trinidad especially in the form of Chinese restaurants.

photo 4: showing a small business on the Western Main Road (Randall's Pharmacy Ltd.). Image shows that a variety of business exist in St. James - a characteristic of urban areas.

photo 5: showing newly opened furniture business, Mi Casa on the Western Main Road. It can be associated with the wealthier group of citizens in and around St. James.

In an urban community the social existence of persons is somewhat centered around wealth and material possessions. The worth of an urban resident (urbanite) today is being 'judged' not by who they are but by what they possess. Status symbols in the form of financial assets and costly homes and  appliances are important to these urban residents. This shows the materialism associated with urbanization which can be seen as both a defining characteristic and a cause for the process.

photo 6: showing the interior of Long Circular Mall around Christmas season. This  shows the vast efforts put into promoting consumerism and materialism. This mall contains a multitude of products and services (banking, fitness, food, and of course, retail). It is located on Long Circular Road, St. James and can be considered the major shopping center of St. James.

source: newsday.co.tt

References:

Kaplan, David H. "The spatial structure of urban ethnic economies." Urban Geography 19, no. 6 (1998): 489-501.

Yourarticlelibrary.com,. 2015. '20 Important Characteristics Of Urban Community | Sociology'. http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/20-important-characteristics-of-urban-community-sociology/4873/.

Financial Aspect

photo 1: showing RBC Royal Bank on the corner of Bournes Road and the Western Main Road early morning on  a weekday. 

photo 2: showing Scotiabank on the Western Main Road. Opposite to this bank there is a roti shop. This shows a very mixed land use.

photo 3: showing CLICO, another financial institution along the Western Main road in St. James

There was a very serious financial crisis that occurred recently with CLICO in which the Government of Trinidad and Tobago had to bail out this company. Details can be seen in the Newsday reference below.

These three financial institutions are each one of many branches of its kind across the country. They are shown here in order to depict the urban sprawl of Port of Spain. Financial and corporate institutions are characteristic of urban areas and cities. One can therefore say that this assimilation zone of St. James is adopting a major urban characteristic from the capital i.e. a financial sector. this is because St. James was once only residential but now it exhibits financial functions to its residents.

The Central Business District (CBD) is usually found in the city centre and contains major shops, government buildings and headquarters of financial services. Although St. James is not considered a part of the CBD, it emulates certain characteristics of one such as the financial institutions that are present. If one were to conceptualize St. James as its own little city, one may say that the Main Road would be considered the CBD due to (in part) the existence of these institutions. Banks are a very import part of the national and communal economy as they promote investment and therefore development thus creating more urbanization!

References:

Broek, Jan O. M. 1953. 'THE FUNCTIONS OF URBAN AREAS'. The Professional Geographer 5 (6): 2-5. doi:10.1111/j.0033-0124.1953.056_2.x.

Newsday,. 2015. 'Following Is A Timeline Of The Development Of The Financial Crisis Facing CL Financial'. http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,94786.html.

Skoool.ie,. 2015. 'Skoool.Ie :: Homework Zone'. http://www.skoool.ie/skoool/homeworkzone.asp?id=1910.

Society, National, and National Society. 2015. 'Urban Area'. Education.Nationalgeographic.Com. http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/urban-area/?ar_a=1.