How Urbanization has Culturally and Historically Affected Food in Port Of Spain.

Food is a necessity that  can used to directly represent the culture of a place. As such we cannot deal with food without speaking about its history of food which is a direct representation of colonization. These processes directly shaped our cuisine as the indentured labours brought back there respective foods native to there homeland consumed. Delicacies such as curry, doubles, dasheen and callaloo are all direct result of this form of foreign influence mixing and fusing into something indigenous to our culture.

However with the turn of the century urbanization has completely changed the way in which food is being consumed within Port of Spain. As persons move to city from rural areas less land is being made available for planting. As the population in cities increase the number of foods needed to feed persons would also need to increase resulting in greater importation.

Due to the fast pace of urban lifestyle the general culture and history of food in the city has changed resulting in the development of the fast food industry. Persons are now venturing away from traditional lifestyle into quick food that is readily available. These businesses are also drawn towards the city due to this fast lifestyle and the density of the population. No longer are persons growing crops or farming chickens but are now buying these products many of which are mass produced. This is done by treating the animals as machines. The living capacity of the animal or bird is thus is entirely subordinated to its technical and economic qualities and its productive capacity
(Relph 1981) .
The dasheens, callaloo is quickly being replaced by Mc Donalds, KFC, Chinese and Gyros revolutionizing the culture of food within the city. The need to cope with increasing pressures associated with Urbanisation has encouraged these markets. Boserup's theory on how innovation would produce new agricultural methods to cope with food restraints can be observed by the introduction of fast food in society. This is a means of adapting to the high demand for food required. Fast food is easily accessible at an affordable price. The innovation of individual's in the food industry validate's Boserup's theory.

Photograph 1 showing Good Luck Chinese Restaurant which is
one of many restaurants which can be seen within the city.

References:

Relph Edward, 1981. " The Character of Modern Landscapes."London Crown Helm

BBC 2015. "GCSE Bitesize," Geography the Global Food Industry. Accessed April 5, 2015.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/globalisation/global_food_industry_rev2.shtml