From inception,the first capital of Trinidad and Tobago was St. Joseph. In 1595 Sir Walter Raleigh destroyed this city allowing for the relocation of the main capital to Harbor of Spain later known as Port of Spain. This was done as it was not profitable to rebuild the capital in its existing position, away from a port.
Initially there were 3 shops located along Calle-de- Infante( Duncan) and Calle Principe (Nelson). The main professions of the Amerindians who lived there were fishermen, hunters and small farmers of cassava, corn and sugar cane made into Pampelona ( Brown Sugar). The city began to develop in terms of trade and commerce when Rio Sante Anne ( Dry River) was channeled to its present course and the general area of town expanded from Charlotte to Duke Street.
This image shows an older view of Frederick Street
which was seen as the main shopping area
In today's society, trade has changed to cope with the increase in consumption rates associated with the contemporary urban life. A characteristic of the urban life is that their is an increase in wants which can be easily satisfied as people can afford. This has contributed to over consumption of resources in large quantities. Hence, in the past Port Of Spain had only three shops. Now the streets are saturated with businesses. Buildings have started to take the appearance of skyscrapers to facilitate spaces for rent.
The main Parliament buildings, The Red House, bank and places of high importance are concentrated in close proximity of each other in the central business district. This can be defined as the commuters zone. Burgess's model can be applied to Port Of Spain. The zone of transition, workers, higher class and commuter's zone can be identified in the city. The commuters' zone influences cost of products and services. This zone sets the level of competition thereby controlling purchasing power.
References:
About Education. 2015."Key Models in Urban
Geography Presict and Explain Land-Use." Accessed on April 10,2015. http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/Urban-Geography-Models.htm
Besson, Gerrad. 2011 "The Caribbean History Of Archives." Paria Publishing CO LTD Blog spot. August 12. http://caribbeanhistoryarchives.blogspot.com/2011/08/port-of-spains-early-city-life.html
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