Urban Slum Settlement

An urban settlement can be defined as a densely populated area comprising mostly man-made structures that contain the majority of a society's administrative, cultural, residential, religious and economic functions. Urban settlements are characterized by high population density and vast anthropogenic features in comparison to the areas surrounding it.

There are approximately 7 billion people living on the planet today. (Index Mundi 2013) For the first time ever, the world is undergoing the largest wave of urban growth in history. Statistics proves that more than half of the world’s population is living in towns and cities. One hundred years ago, 2 out of every 10 people lived in an urban area. By 1990, less than 40% of the global population lived in a city, but as of 2010, more than half of all people live in an urban area. It is projected that by 2030, 6 out of every 10 people will live in a city. (World Health Organization)

As a means of securing a livelihood, cities tend to offer more favorable benefits than rural areas. Cities generate jobs which provide a source of income. A country which practices good governance can deliver education, proper health care and other services more efficiently and effectively than less densely settled areas simply because of their advantages of scale and proximity. In addition to that cities even present the opportunity for social mobilization and women’s empowerment.

Urban growth is taking a toll on the environment in which it prevails, not to mention that poverty is now growing faster in urban than in rural areas. One billion people live in urban slums, which typically lack basic services such as clean water, proper ventilation and sanitation, and are overcrowded, polluted and dangerous.(UNFPA) Within every urban city there are poverty stricken areas that lies within. This is not only relevant to urban areas in New York and Los Angeles but is very relevant to Trinidad.

Urban Slum Settlement 

Marx et al speculates that slum formation is due to rapid urbanization within a developing country. This theory is of significance because population growth, associated with urbanization, creates a greater demand for housing than an urbanized area can offer or supply. I agree with theorists who believe that urban slums are a result of lack of proper planning, organization and development.

Urban settlement occurs as a result urban livelihood in the city of Port of Spain, Trinidad. In the city of Port of Spain the trend of slum settlement is no different from other countries. A substantial portion of the population of Trinidad and Tobago lives in slum settlements. The struggle of their lives can be characterized by low levels of income, temporary or seasonal employment, and most evident of all inadequate living conditions. The photo below depicts slum development in Port of Spain.

In the photo, typical slum development patterns are evident. The houses are tightly packed together and poorly constructed; walls are not plastered, windows are not installed and some are built using galvanize sheeting. The appearance of these houses indicates that they are occupied by lower income earners who work within the city and environs.

‘Housing and jobs were the main issues the people of east Port-of-Spain raised in a meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.’ Reported by Melissa Doughty for The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper.

https://guardian.co.tt/news/2013-08-22/kamla-hears-east-pos-woes

The article indicates that the two main issues of South East Port Of Spain are unemployment and housing. They are both problems associated with urban livelihood that goes hand in hand. The photo clearly depicts the reality of urban livelihood where urbanization generates an increasing demand for housing than the city of Port of Spain can accommodate.  

A description from the article ‘The character of modern landscapes’ by Edward Relph of urban situations, portray similar scenarios of what takes place in Trinidadian urban societies today.

‘Jacob Riis (1968, pp. 37) wrote in the 1880’s of specific New York city tenement buildings and particular families of 10 people living in 2 rooms, and of a couple who committed suicide because they were so tired.’ On another similar report from the article of Charles Booth on ‘Life and Labor of the People of London’, described comparable conditions of Sheldon Street of Drury Lane. He wrote ‘ in little rooms no more than 8ft square would be found living, father mother and several children….rooms would be dirty to last degree….. not a room would be free from vermin, and in so many life at night was unbearable, several occupants said that in hot weather they don’t go to bed but sit in their clothes  in the least infected part of the room.’

This suggests to me that people would do what they have to do to earn a living, and in this instance it means living under harsh conditions where they hope to one day enjoy the luxuries life has to offer.

The Video uploaded above is for your listening pleasure. It is a song sung by one of the most talent artiste in the Caribbean, Machel Montano. The song is about resident living in Sealots, Port of Spain and the hardships they face.It also speaks about the great potential that the youths of the Sealots community possess. If you look at the video you will get a better understanding of thier livelihood.

Reference

Doughty, Melissa. 2013.  "Kamla Hears East POS Woes." The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper. https://guardian.co.tt/news/2013-08-22/kamla-hears-east-pos-woes (accessed February 26, 2014).

UNFPA. "Latest Publications. 2014. " Urbanization: A Majority in Cities: Population & Development : UNFPA. https://www.unfpa.org/pds/urbanization.htm (accessed February 25, 2014).

Marx, Benjamin, Thomas Stoker, and Tavneet Suri. 2013. "The Economics of Slums in the Developing World." Journal of Economic Perspectives 27, no. 4: 187-210.

Relph, Edward. 1976. The Character of Modern Landscape. London: Pion.

United Nations. 2012. "United Nations Population Division ." UN News Center. http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/urbanization/urban-rural.shtml (accessed February 26, 2014).

"Urban population growth." World health Organization. http://www.who.int/gho/urban_health/situation_trends/urban_population_growth_text/en/ (accessed February 26, 2014).

"World Population." Demographics. http://www.indexmundi.com/world/population.html (accessed February 26, 2014).

Street Vending

Street vending is one of the major means of livelihood for the less fortunate living in the city and environs. In relation to Trinidad, street vending can be described as self-employment within the informal sector. Street vendors are an integral component of urban economies in the Caribbean namely the city of Port of Spain. For residents of Port of Spain and environs, street vending generates a source of income and creates a source of employment for a vast majority of the population.

Throughout the city, street vending is evident on every junction, most of the major streets, outside schools and workplaces. ‘Structural theorists posit that street vending is seen as an endeavor into which marginalized populations are driven out of necessity in the absence of alternative ways of securing a livelihood.’ (Adom and Williams 2012) I agree with the structural theorist perspective on street vending. It is the marginalized, less fortunate populations in society that are resort to street vending. It is an effort made into securing a means of livelihood for people and their families. For this I think they should be ‘cut some slack.

Within the city of Port of Spain, street vending is highly discouraged as it is perceived as an insignificant contribution to the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and obstructs the regular flow of traffic. ’ Street vending is a form of economic activity and I think that it should be accepted and not be treated as an illegal activity.  Street side vending customarily becomes a hindrance during the recent Christmas season and the upcoming Carnival season. These are the times when sales are the highest; allowing street vendors the opportunity to earn an extra dollar. According Maraj 2013, ‘officials in charge make it their duty to threaten those who are trying to make an honest dollar.’ (Newsday Newspaper 2013)

It is of my opinion that willingness and dedication to work must be encouraged. It is by far certainly better than depending on state funding or participating in criminal activities. Those who are willing to work should be accommodated within the economy as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others.  Street vending is a well renounced means of urban livelihood and constitutes a relatively large proportion of urban economies and has been for decades. It is about time that the stigma (illegality) attached to street vending be changed.

 ‘Let the nation’s street vendors enjoy the Fruits of their Investment and Labor!’

Express Newspaper, "Street Vending: No first-timer,"

Street vending in the city of Port of Spain 

The photo above depicts various aspects of street vending in Downtown Port of Spain. The collage displays the busy bustling streets of Port of Spain (namely Charlotte Street, Duke Street and the Queen’s park Savannah) It can be seen that the streets of Port of Spain are used for the exchange of good and services, whether it be fruits, vegetables, snacks, clothing or accessories. It is evident from the photo that the street vendors are patronized and the economic activity not only benefits the vendors but also the consumers. Observation of the photo also indicates that the means by which the street vendors display their goods and services is mobile in nature. This can be convenient for the vendors whenever they are required to move for example when they are being controlled by the police.  

Reference

Adom, Kwame, and Colin Williams. 2012. "Evaluating the Motives of Informal Entrepreneurs in Koforidua, Ghana." Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship 17, no. 1: 6.

Beall, Jo , and Nazneen Kanji. 1999. "Households, Livelihoods and Urban Poverty." Urban Governance, Partnership and Poverty 3: 12.

Maraj, Leiselle. 2013. "Illegal Street Vending and Loud Music — a No, No." Newsday,January 19, http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,172223.html (Accessed February 5, 2014).

Express Newspaper, 2012. "Street Vending: No first-timer," December 19, http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business-magazine/street_vending__no_first-timer-184054091.html (Accessed February 7, 2014).

Urban Livelihood

Urban Livelihood in the City of Port of Spain

Urban livelihood is defined as a means of earning a living in a city or town. It encompasses peoples capabilities, assets, income and activities required to secure the necessities of life. (Rakodi 2002) The means of urban livelihood in different cities around the world will vary deepening on the nature of the economy and the history of the city. In this blog urban livelihood in the city of Port of Spain, Trinidad will be examined.

Port of Spain is a coastal city located on the North Western peninsular of Trinidad, nested in the foothills of the Northern Range. Residential settlement East of Port of Spain are known as Belmont, Morvant, and Lavantille, to the West is Cocorite, and to the North is Maracas Valley. Port of Spain is regarded as a major hob or district within the Caribbean region; it not only serves the needs of Trinidad and Tobago but other Caribbean islands as well. A photo of Port of Spain is shown below.

Regardless of where people are living in Trinidad and Tobago, from time to time they are forced to venture to cities and towns especially Port of Spain. There is a high level of government, administrative and economic activity concentrated within the city of Port of Spain, people look to the city as a means of livelihood as it is the country’s major commercial center. The city of Port of Spain consequently has a municipal population of 45 000 and an estimated population density of 4096 person per square kilometer (CSO 2000). The transient population is estimated to be 500 000 persons daily. (Cropper Foundation) 2009)

The wealthy and the underprivileged both benefit from earning urban livelihoods; nonetheless there exists a vast, widening disparity between the two. Urban livelihood in the city of Port of Spain seems to work in the favor of the wealthy whilst the lesser fortunate is marginalized. Urban livelihood within Port of Spain encompasses issues such as street vending, pollution, homelessness, slum settlements, traffic congestion and crime just to name a few. Throughout the blog such issues will be discussed. 

Reference:

Case Study of Port of Spain .2009. Cropper Foundation.

Central Statistical Office. 2000. "T&T Today | Trinidad and Tobago Population at Census Dates." T&T Today | Trinidad and Tobago Population Census. http://www.cso.org.tt/TT-Today/Trinidad-Tobago-population-at-census-dates.html (accessed April 9, 2014).

Rakodi, Carole. 2002. Urban livelihoods a people-centered approach to reducing poverty. London: Earthscan Publications.