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

How Urbanisation has Culturally and Historically Affected Transportation in Port Of Spain.

Transport is a constant that remains throughout time. Historically, the Neo-Indians travelled long distances by foot to sustain daily practices, Columbus used boats as a mode of transport on explorations. Today, transport is utilized in almost every aspect of life. Transportation can be defined as the act or process of moving people or things from one place to another (Webster 2015). The geography of transportation is affected by space time compression which have affected cities worldwide, culturally and allowed for the evolution of different modes from historical times to present. Port Of Spain is an example a city that has experienced these changes.

In ancient times, people travelled by foot. As time progressed and development began carriages powered by animal labour was used. Eventually modes of transport became mechanized in Port Of Spain. In 1876, Trinidad Government Railway ran its first steam locomotive. Despite the introduction of steam locomotive, horsedrawn trans were still present. The railway system eventually gave way to the motor trans. In 1939, transportation in Trinidad was described as transformed with the introduction of trolleybuses. Port Of Spain had the only trolley buses in the western hemisphere that had doors on the left side and ran on the left side of two-way streets. The trolley bus system was closed on the last day of 1956. In 1976 based on a painting by David Moore, both trolley buses and automobiles were observed in operation.

Photograph 1: The above picture shows a Trolley bus located in Marie Square currently known as Independence Square (Morrison 2008).

 

Photograph 2: This picture shows a Public Transport Service bus located outside Woodford Square (Ramadhar 2015).

In today’s society, there is the operation of transport vehicles of various types. The Ferry (Water Taxi) is seen in operation down town Port Of Spain, taxis are readily available and heliports are placed at the top of some buildings. These avenues have made transport by air, land and sea possible.

Photograph 3: Picture shows various types of automobiles in Port Of Spain (Ramadhar 2015).

Photograph 4: Port Of Spain Ferry terminal recently introduced to the city (Quashie 2015).

Urbanisation has created increase need to cover maximum distance in a short space of time to cope with the fast past lifestyle tied to a contemporary urban life. Improvements in transportation have given urban lifestyles the fuel it requires to be effectively functional. Advances in the transport system of Port Of Spain have shortened the gap between the city and the rest of the country. This is evident by the bus system available at City Gate which provides transport to the rest of the country at a subsidized cost. The Ferry system from North to South Trinidad has increased the rate of commute. 

The way in which people travel has been culturally affected. Commute has become easier, faster and more efficient. However, there are environmental, health, economic and social cots associated with these advances. To keep up with the contemporary lifestyle, these negative impacts are simply ignored in most cases.

Costs is an example of  a negative aspect of transportation in Port Of Spain. Methods of cheap transportation is a major concern. Von Thunen's Model highlights the importance of the relationship between transport and costs. Hence, as discussed in his model, it is important to structure activities close to the city to reduce transportation cost, thereby allowing for maximum profits.  

Urbanisation has influenced the growth of cities making transport a necessity. In 1876, Port Of Spain had a population of 2500 persons (Morrison 2008). In 2011, its population was recorded as 66000 persons  ( World Fact Book of The United States Central Intelligence Agency 2015 ).  This population growth has increased the flow of people in and out of the city. Boserup's theory on  a limited food supply being the stimulus for development in farming technologies can be applied to other aspects of contemporary urban life. The growth in population has increased networking which resulted in development in traveling technologies and methods. A new culture of travel have been introduced to cope with the need for efficient transport . This shows that human innovation develop means of combating environmental restraints.

The definition of urban is greatly influenced by the environment (Portugali 1996). Portugali discusses in his article, how a city is considered urban based on the tangible technological progress that it has made.Advances in transport over time has contributed to defining Port Of Spain as an urban space. The more advanced the city's transport system gets, the more urban it is considered. Urbanisation has progressed over time and contributed to the development of Port Of Spain which has increased the desire to operate faster, thereby, changing  culture and methods of transport over time.

References:

"Merriem Webster," 2015. Accessed, April 7, 2015. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transport.

"The Trams and Trolleybuses of Trinidad and Tobago,"Allen Morrison , accessed, April 7, 2015,
http://www.tramz.com/tt/tt.html

Amos, Borne, J.Portugali. 1997. "Contemporary Perspectives on Urbanization." Progress in Planning.

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

In Trinidad and Tobago, entertainment has always been an area of interest. The talent of the people expressed through entertainment can be seen through the invention of the steel pan in the 1930s to what is currently known as the greatest show on earth, Carnival. A combination of rich culture and historical diversity has contributed to a range of entertainment hubs in the country’s Central Business District (CBD), Port- Of- Spain. The city has evolved into one which promotes a contemporary urban lifestyle. At the core of contemporary urban life, is entertainment.

List of entertainment hubs in Port-Of-Spain

• Mas Camp Pub
• Smokey and Bunty
• Movie Towne
• Zen
• Shakers
• Drink
• Fifty One Degrees
• Phase 11 Pan Groove
• The Avenue

Photograph showing Stumbling, Coco Lounge and Aria clubs located on the avenue.

In ancient times, there was little emphasis on developing the architecture of the city to facilitate entertainment. Entertainment in historical times consisted of, activities such as stick fighting which entailed Canboulay riots. There was no need for large recreational facilities. As time progressed however, the architecture of the city changed from one that was functional and balanced, meaning built merely for the purpose of protection or providing shelter to one that incorporates science and technology as well as individuality. The design of entertainment venues has been constructed to showcase a form of uniqueness as well as attract people. An example of this is Movie Towne. The design of the building is very original and attractive.


                     Photograph showing Various acts of entertainment which can be enjoyed within the city.
                                                         Quashie2015

 Individuality being express by choice  in this case outdoor dining, bar hoping, socializing or partying contribute to a contemporary urban lifestyle in which entertainment is at the core. It also allows us to focus on what makes a true ideal city as the author challenges us to examine in (Akkerman 2010).     

The development of Port-Of – Spain into an area that has a variety of entertainment avenues  also resulted from cultural integration and the spread of information in this new milenux. These characteristics are typical of rediscovered cities (Amin and Graham 1997).   Human aspects such as democracy, creativity and social justice have been expressed in the free atmosphere that entertainment allows.

Culturally, some aspects of entertainment have remained the same. For example, in the past, the playing of chest in the Woodford square area was common. Today, this is still seen throughout the day. The elderly population especially is observed engaging in a serious but friendly game of chest. Carnival traditions from the past remain the same today. People parade through the streets and express themselves by dancing and singing soca music. This was the tradition of the slaves. Although, the architecture of city has changed, the way of doing things remain constant. The houses from the past have been converted to ‘liming spots.’ This is seen along Ariapita Avenue Port- Of- Spain.

Over time, urbanization has led to a change in the cultural aspect of the city. There is a new urban way in which people entertain and like to be entertained. Some historical traditions have remained constant and old architecture modified to show a contemporary twist. However, as discussed in Mycoo 2006  there would always be constants of a city. 


References:

Akkerman, Abraham. 2010."Harmonies of Urban Design and Discords of City-form: Urban Aesthetics in the Rise of Western Civilization." Journal of Urban Design, 5:3, 267-290.

Amin and Stephen  Graham. 1997 . “ The Ordinary City. “  Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, New Series, Vol. 22, No. 4 (1997), pp. 411-429

  

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

 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

Urbanization of Port-Of- Spain: Historical and Cultural Impacts.

1. Introduction to Urbanization in Port of Spain 

Urbanization refers to the increasing shift of persons from rural  to developed areas (BBC 2014). It predominantly results in the physical growth of  areas, be it horizontal or vertical (Hogan 2014). Urbanization may be influenced by, economy, demography,  technology, politics, society culture and the environment. Culture can be defined as, " The beliefs, customs, arts of a particular society." (Webster 2014). History refers to the study of past events (Webster 2014). This blog aims at discussing the effects of urbanization on the historical and cultural aspects of the Central Business District (CBD), Port- Of – Spain.

The history of cities began with Sjoberg's Model. During the pre industrial era all cities were classified as the same. The center of the city was always the Central Business District (CBD). The head of the governments were located there and it was the residence of the elite in society as seen in the diagram below. Over time, there is similarities in that the main government buildings, high class venues and major buildings of commerce are still located in the center of the CBD. However, the major difference is that the elites no longer live in this area.

Diagram Of Sjoberg's Pre Industrial Model
(Sjoberg 1960)

Port- Of-Spain is the capital of the Trinidad and Tobago. It has an estimated population of 49,657 (google map data 2015) ,contributing to its rapid rate of urban growth. Common to many urban centers and evident in the photos blogged, sites of historical and cultural value can be displayed all over this rapidly expanding city. This increasing space has also had an impact on the city both culturally and historically.

Urbanisation is dynamic. The  photo above shows:

• Left: Newly constructed government buildings .
• Top Right: The Red House currently under construction.
• Bottom Right: The Cathedral.

This photo indicates that as time passes the rate of urbanization also expands. This is in accordance with  Mumford's reading that the city expands as time expands and that urbanization is not static. The Red House when compared with the new government building is an example of this. This old historic site (The Red House) is also under construction to be a more modern building. The Cathedral is indicative of culture being maintained despite rapid urban changes.

References:

BBC 2014. Geography Urbanisation in MEDCs. Accessed April 5,  2015.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/urban_environments/urbanisation_medcs_rev1.shtml

Sjoberg, Gidden.1960. "The Pre Industrial City." New York Time Press

Google Maps 2015. "Maps Lab." Accessed April 4, 2015
https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces?ctz=-120&t=h&z=17&dg=feature

"Merriem Webster," 2015. Accessed, April 7, 2015. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transport.