Social Polarisation In the Use of Public Space by The Urban Employed

In our post entitled, "High Profits...At What Cost?" we looked at how social polarisation (one effect of the post-industrial economy) is evident in the area of employment renumeration in the city of Port-of-Spain.  In this post we explore this issue in relation to the use of space by the urban employed.

Figure 1. Showing Persons Utilizing the Woodford Square At Midday
 (Photograph, taken by Sybastian Manners, February 20, 2015)

Figure 2. Showing Patrons Enjoying the Night Life at Shakers, Ariapita Avenue
(Photograph taken by Rachel Mckenzie on begalf of Sybastian Manner February 21, 2015.

The photos above show two different types of spaces. While a public space is seen in figure one, a private space is seen in figure two.  In our visits to the city we observed that those who were most frequently found enjoying public spaces (such as the one on Woodford Square) seemed to be persons of the working class. These persons included street sweepers, garbage collectors, fast food employees and taxi drivers. We observed very few persons in suits or crisply ironed shirts and ties in these areas. On the contrary while socialising on the Ariapita Avenue we noticed that most of the persons 'liming' on the avenue seemed to be of the middle class and high class. 

We believe that several factors contribute to this polarisation in the use of public space. These factors include issues relating to time, a fear of crime, the state of public spaces and economic issues. Firtsly one factor which influences the use of public space is what Sybastian refers to as the 'corporate net'. The corporate net refers to the restrictions imposed on those who work in the service sectors. The capital driven economy which is an attribute of the postmodern city creates a rigid environment that adversely affects how individuals experience time and space. On average, eight hours of productivity is required of each employee with an hour break in which most choose to have lunch or do personal business in the capital or more frequently both. This really reduces the capacity for one to really experience each day outside of the task ascribed by the job description. As such many persons who get a chance to enjoy the public spaces are persons who work in less rigid environments such as  in the informal sector (taxi drivers). 

Furthermore, Mycoo (2008) stated that there is a "mounting evidence of state failure to provide basic state function such as...security for citizens". She believes that this is one of the key factors which has lent to the rise of gated communities in Trinidad. We believe that many persons of a high social status do not utilise public spaces because they do not believe that they are very safe. In the past many robberies and shootings have taken place in the vicinity of Public spaces in broad daylight. In October 2013, the Trinidad Newsday reported that persons 'liming' on the Brian Lara Promenade scattered in fear when two men were shot dead in a drive by shooting. This took place at 11:00 am on October 12th, 2014.


Furthermore, many persons do not use public spaces as they are seen by many as unsanitary places. Such places are often littered by the public as well as they are the homes of many vagrants. This has a significant effect on the health and livability of these places. This is an issue not only in Port of Spain but in other cities in the Caribbean. In an article entitled "Simply Beautiful..or Paradise Gone Down the Toilet?" in the St. Lucian Star newspaper, Toni Nicholas lamented at the way in wish the Derek Walcott Square, a public space in St. Lucia was kept. He stated, "in the middle of the kiosk inside the square lay a vagrant fast asleep, oblivious of the curious visitors desperately trying to photograph the venue...There was litter under the park benches and empty bottles everywhere. "

Photograph of A Vagrant Sleeping in the Derek Walcot Square ( Nicholas  2014)

Lastly, some persons are excluded from certain spaces because of their financial status. Places such as the Shakers restaurant on the avenue clearly cater for persons of a high social status. Many of the working class poor cannot afford the expensive delicacies on these menus and so do not frequent such places. On the contrary many of the middle class enjoy such places which are often well secured and which helps to reinforce the reality that they have high positions on the social ladder.

References

"Two Men Shot". 2014. Newsday, October 14. Accessed March 30.                                   2015. http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,184998.html

Nicholas, Toni. "Simply Beautiful..or Paradise Gone Down the Toilet?" The Star Newspaper,  November,22.  Accessed march 30. http://stluciastar.com/simply-beautiful-or-paradise-gone-down-the-toilet/

http://myelearning.sta.uwi.edu/file.php/25346/mycoo_2006_Trinidad_gated_communities.pdf

Creative Employment

Video 1: Showing Musician Entertaining Passersby on guitar at City Gate, Port of Spain
 (Video taken by Sybastian Manners, February 20, 2015)

“Global economic shocks coupled with natural disasters [have] left most Caribbean countries with zero to negative growth and high unemployment rates” (World Bank 2014). In such austere economic situations many persons struggle to support themselves and their families. While many resort to full dependence on governmental social services others evince the common quote, “necessity is the mother of invention”.

Figure 2: Showing Musician Entertaining Passersby 

At City Gate, Port of Spain (Photograph taken by Sybastian Manners, February 20, 2015).

In Port-of –Spain we have seen many creative forms of employment as shown in the photo above. These informal businesses thrive off of the transient population of Port of Spain. Moreover,   these entrepreneurs usually situate themselves in high traffic areas (along sidewalks, squares and passages through major shopping plazas) where their products could potentially engage a wider customer base. Apart from their strategies in selecting key locations; we believe that these business persons are successful due to the cultures of cities. In his book entitled The Culture of Cities, Lewis Mumford stated that, “Cities arise out of man’s social needs and multiply both their modes and methods of expression.” (Mumford 1938, 4) . Urban spaces are places where persons are given freedom to express their talents. Moreover, such persons often seek to appeal to human emotion; the happiness we experience from listening to music or viewing and wearing art. When successful these persons are given financial rewards.

In our exploration of creative forms of employment in Port-of-Spain we found that there was a major difference between the location of these industries in this city and the city of Charlestown, Nevis.

Figure 3: Showing craft shops at the Nevisian Artisan Village (Explore Nevis 2010)

As a twin island state driven primarily by tourism, St. Kitts and Nevis has taken a different approach as it relates to the space that artisans occupy in the urban area. In Nevis an Artisan Village was officially opened in March 2010 on the northern end of the Samuel Hunkins drive, Charlestown on the out skirts of the islands urban area (The St. Kitts and Nevis Observer 2010). It is strategically located in an area that is very accessible to tourists visiting the island and serves as a central point for the artisans to practise their trade. Its location on the tropical coast enhances aesthetics and creates a cool and welcoming environment for visitors and locals alike. It is not unusual for families to enjoy the sunset from this vantage point. The traders thrive on the consumer base that this environment attracts. This development also incorporates green space and public seating which serves as a “lunch break get away” to those employed in the island’s capital and thus reflects an element of the post-modern city (Byers 1998).

Figure 4: Showing the Green Space and Public Seating at the Nevisian Artisan

Village (Explore Nevis 2015)

There is often great debate as to the most lucrative location for sole traders such as those discussed in this post. Should they choose key locations where there is great human traffic or should they be located in central places? It is often argued that central locations will result in greater competition and less revenue. However, we believe that the location of artisans and other creative entrepreneurs in a central area will allow for greater marketability and better access to their goods. As such persons will frequent such locations, thus leading to greater revenue for these entrepreneurs.

Figure 5: Showing leather craft being sold on Fredrick Street. (Photograph taken by Sybastian Manners, April 9, 2015))

In Port-of-Spain, there is a great focus on retail industries targeted at the transient population.  However in Nevis, because of the greater focus on tourism many of the retail services are tailored to meet the needs of the visitors. Accordingly, the government has placed emphasis on making the products of artisans marketable and available. In Trinidad informal sales persons and the city council have often faced come into conflict because plans to find a central location for some of the informal sole traders have not yet materialized. This issue is further discussed in the article below. http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/print,0,205081.html 

Video 2: Showing Musician Entertaining Passersby on violin at City Gate, Port of Spain (Video Taken by Christal Benjamin, April 9, 2015)

References:

Byers. J. 1998. “Privatization of Downtown Public Space: The Emerging Grade-Separated City          in North America”. Accessed March 16, 2015.

Mumford, Lewis. 1938. The Culture of Cities. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company.                 Accessed March 28, 2015.                                http://myelearning.sta.uwi.edu/file.php/25346/Lewis_Mumford_Introduction_The_Culture_of_Cities_1938_xid-3429222_2.PDF

 “No Plans Yet For Salvatori.” 2015. Trinidad Express, January 4. Accessed March 26, 2015.                http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/print,0,205081.html

Nevis Explorer. 2010. “Nevisian Artisan Village”. Accessed March 16, 2015.                     http://www.explorenevis.com/artisan-village/

Patrice Pemberton. 2010. “Premier Parry Opens Nevisian Artisan Village.” The St. Kitts and             Nevis Observer, April 2. Accessed March 16, 2015.                                 http://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com/2010/04/02/artisan-village.html

World Bank. 2014. “Youth unemployment in the Caribbean.” Accessed March 25,                             2015.http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2014/04/19586512/youth-unemployment-         caribbean

High Profits........At What Cost?

"A snack pack with a Pepsi please!" This may sound very familiar to frequent customers of KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). Since it is a very popular order, one cashier at  KFC  may hear this sentence over a hundred times during his/her monotonous eight hour shift. During this shift, this cashier may sell up to about ten snack packs at $28.00 each generating $280.00 for the company. However, he or she would have only generated $15.00 for his/ her self. This is notwithstanding the more expensive orders that this cashier would have taken.

We have often heard our Trinidadian friends boast that the KFC outlet on independence Square is the oultet with one of the highest grossing markets per capita outside of the United States of America. In fact in a 2005 Newsday article entitled "KFC Lovers Escape Unhurt", Nalinee Seelal reported that, "the Independence Square outlet of KFC is considered to be one of the busiest in the country and also one of the most profitable KFC outlets in the world."

Photograph of the Kentucy Fried Chicken (KFC) Outlet on

 Independence Square, Port-of-Spain
 (Photo taken by Sybastian Manners, February 4, 2015 )

After reading hearing from our friends and reading the Newsday report; we were not surprised when we found the Independence Square KFC outlet filled during the lunch hour of a weekday. In fact this is a sight which is also common in KFC outlets in small Caribbean islands like Dominica and St. Kitts.  It is also not surprising that Prestige Holdings, operator of KFC, Subway and TGIF restaurants, recorded an after tax  of $50.3 million for its financial year ended November 30, 2014 (Trinidad Express 2015).

Patrons In the Line at KFC, Independence Square During the Lunch Hour
 (Photo taken by Sybastian Manners, February 4, 2015 )

However, this business has complained that two of it's major problems are labour shortages and absenteeism. We believe that this occurs as the marginalised workers are paid very low wages. Furthermore, after speaking with friends who onced worked at this establishment; we gathered that apart from the Employee of the Month photographs, these fast food chains provide little opportunity for promotion and development for their workers. 

This we believe is evidence of globalisation and post-modern urbanisation in the city of Port-of-Spain. "Globalization involves an increase in interconnectedness across time and space where disparate lives are increasingly linked yet simultaneously disembodied" (Mohan 2000). In Port- of- Spain Globalisation has increased in tandem with post modern urbanisation. Signs of post-modernism is manifested in the shift of the city's economic focus from manufacturing to service industries. This has created avenues for the operation of borderless franchises such as KFC. Unfortunately, with the operation of these franchises we have seen social polarization whereby marginalised workers have becoming poorer and wealthy business persons have become richer. 
 

References:

    Mohan, Giles. 2000. “Dislocating Globalization: Power, Politics and Global Change” Geographical                 Association 85 (2): 121 – 133

    Nalinee, Seelal. 2005. "KFC Lovers Escape Unhurt." Newsday, September 11. Accessed                                March 2, 2015. http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,29951.html

  "Prestige Holding Reports $50.3 Million After-Tax Profit." 2015. Trinidad Express, February 10.                     Accessed March 2, 2015. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business/Prestige-Holdings-                        records--503m-after-tax-profit-291462071.html

A Unique Route To Port of Spain... Signs of a System and a Post-Industrial City

In the past, we have both enjoyed leisurely boat rides along the coasts of our beautiful Caribbean homelands Nevis (Sybastain) and Dominica (Christal). However, we have never had the pleasure of being transported to and from work in the relaxed environment of an efficient water taxi. For this reason, Christal was most surprised when she took an adventurous ride from Port of Spain to San Fernando at 3:00pm  3:00 pm one afternoon. She realized that she may have been among very few passengers who saw this ride as an adventure. Many of the passengers, dressed in suits and ties were obviously part of Port of Spain's transient population leaving the city after a day of work.

In an earlier post we stated that the transient population of Port of Spain was approximately 350,000. The transient population of a city refers to the portion of it people that exists temporarily in the urban center for business, employment, consumption or simply in transition to somewhere else. A small percentage of the labour force in Port of Spain utilises the water taxis to travel between the city of San Fernando and the capital. These taxis transport approximately 1500 persons on a daily basis (Trinidad and Tobago Water Taxi 2015).

This formal establishment serves as an alternative to the public bus route or main road which are usually very congested at peak hours (Shah 2014). Leaving San Fernando as early at 5:30 am 5:30 amon mornings (Trinidad and Tobago Water Taxi 2015); the water taxis enable employees from the south of the island to be punctual for work in the capital.

After Disembarking the Water Taxi, Many Persons Walk to Library Corner, San Fernando to Catch Taxis to Other Southern Districts (Photo Taken By Khellon Hodge on Behalf of Christal Benjamin, February 20, 214.*

In January 2014,  transport minister, Stephen Cadiz stated that development plans were in place to expand the Port of Spain Water Taxi Service to Chaguanas and Point Fortin (Trinidad Express 2014). We believe that a significant percentage of the the capital's labour force reside in the urban centers of Chaguanas and Port of Spain. Moreover, an increase in the ease and availability of transportation may lead to an increase in the volume of persons who leave these areas to seek work in the city.

This week our focus on the water taxi allowed us to come to two important conclusions. Firstly, as was stated by our Geography lecturer Dr. Priya Kissoon, Port of Spain does not exist on "the head of a pin". Rather, it is an open system where there is a continuous inflow and outflow of energy, ideas and people. It is a city within a system of cities like San Fernando and Chaguanas.

Furthermore, rather than reflecting a concentric model of development as posited by Burgess (1925); Port of Spain has the characteristics of a post industrial city. Consistent with the Keno Capitalist framework of post-modernism;a great proportion of the labour force which drives the activities of the urban center is drawn from outside of the city (Dear and Flusty 1998).

References:

·     Trinidad and Tobago Water Taxi. 2015. “Sailing Schedule.” Accessed February 23, 2015.                  http://www.tntisland.com/watertaxis.html

·         Shah, Raffique. 2014. “Traffic Constipation.” Trinidad Express, November 8. Accessed February 23, 2015. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/Traffic-constipation-282039331.html

·         Trinidadian Express. 2014. “Point Fortin, Waterloo to Get Water Taxi.” Trinidad Express, January 31. Accessed February 23, 2015. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Point-Fortin-Waterloo-to-get-water-taxi-terminals-243015281.html

·         Dear, M. and Flusty, S. 1998. “Association of American Geographer: Post Modernism” Contact 1 (88): 50 – 72)

* Khellon Hodge has sole rights to the photo taken by him.
*Theo Jones has sole rights to the photo taken by him.

Urban Sprawl: A Source of Informal Employment

In our last post we examined the interconnectedness of the formal and informal sectors. This week we focus our lens on the informal sector. One question we asked ourselves was, "What factors encourage the growth of this sector in the urban area?" This question was partially answered as we walked through Port of Spain and observed many taxi stands within the city. We recognised that there is a great need for transportation services within the city of Port of Spain. This need was created by urban sprawl, a phenomenon driven by spatial and temporal factors.

"The term sprawl... critically describes a pattern of low-density...automobile dependent development that has been a common form of growth outside of urban areas since at least World War II...[and] it also accompanies settlement outside of existing cities
 ( Community and Regional Development Institute. nd)

Photograph of the St. James and St. Anns Taxi Stands In
Port of Spain (Photgraph Taken By Sybastian Manners, April 9, 2015)

"Photograph of St James Taxi Stand at 5:45 am In the Morning.
Even At This Early Hour There Is A Demand For Taxi Service
 (Photo taken by Danielle Smith on Behalf
of Christal Benjamin, February 19, 2015) *

"Photograph of St James Taxi Stand at 4:30 pm. During the Rush Hour"
One Must Move Very Quickly If He/ She Is to Secure A Seat 
(Photo Taken By Theo Jones on Behalf of Christal Benjamin,March 20, 2015)*

Originally a small fishing village in 1757, the city of Port of Spain has evolved spatially over time, becoming a major hub of economic activity in the Southern Caribbean. Immigrants from various Caribbean islands can be found in this city selling and buying goods. Some persons call Port-of-Spain the New York of the Caribbean. Many factors have led to the growth of the city's population and the simultaneous expansion of it's boundaries. Some significant events included:

• The Cedula of Population invited persons to take up land in the city-1783
• The Emancipation and resettlement of slaves-1834
• The Arrival of the East Indian Immigrants-1845
• The influx of immigrants from small islands who formed illegal settlements in areas such as Sea Lots (ISOCARP 2010)

"The Historical Growth of Port of Spain in
Trinidad through the period 1760 – 2010" ISOCORP 2010).

Today, with a transient population of approximately 350, 000  (Office of Disaster Preparedness Mannagement nd) and an administrative boundary defined defined by 10km² of urbanized land; the city continues to grow physically and economically. Commuters from the north, south, east and west of the island and even from Tobago, convene in the city on a daily basis and depend on taxi drivers to transport them considerable distances to and from work.

"Belmont Taxi Stand"(Photo Taken By Theo Jones on 
Behalf of Christal Benjamin,March 20, 2015)*

"Long Circular Road/ Wrightson Road Taxi Stand.
(Photo Taken By Theo Jones on 

Behalf of Christal Benjamin,March 20, 2015)*

In fact there is such a great demand for taxi drivers that some formally employed persons work as taxi drivers on a part time basis. However, this has caused a lot of controversy as these drivers work in private cars and sometimes compete with full time taxi drivers.

This problem is further described in the following article:

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-04-03/ph-drivers-getting-out-hand%E2%80%94cadiz

While urban sprawl is seen by many as a serious problem which must be controlled, Richard Peiser (2001) posited that urban sprawl forms part of the land market function. Moreover he suggests that some aspects of urban sprawl are beneficial and are integral to urban development. 

The taxi drivers in the city of Port of Spain can attest to the fact that urban sprawl is indeed beneficial to them. For many it is the source of their livelihood.

References

Community and Regional Development Institute.nd. "Defining Sprawl and Smart Growth. Accessed February             21st, 2015. 


Office of Disaster Preparedness Management. nd. "Executive Summary." Accessed February 21,                                   2015. http://www.odpm.gov.tt/sites/default/files/Excutive%20Summary.pdf

Peiser, Richard. 2010." Decomposing Urban Sprawl". The Town Palnning Review 72(3):275-298.

           Accessed February 9, 2015.http://www.jstor.org/stable/40112455

Ragoonath, Reshma.2014. "PH Drivers Getting Out of Hand-Cadiz". Guardian December 3.                         Accessed         February 21, 2015. http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-04-03/ph-drivers-                  getting-out-hand%E2%80%94cadiz

The InformationSystem Corporation. 2010. “Sustainable City of Port-of-Spain: Myth or Reality?”                  Accessed February 9, 2015. http://www.isocarp.net/data/case_studies/1671.pdf


*  Danielle Smith and Theo Jones have sole rights to all the photographs taken by them.

The Interconnectedness of The Informal and Formal Sectors in Port of Spain

Photo Showing Aspects of the Formal and Informal Sectors: A Doubles Vendor In the Heart of the Central Business District, Port of Spain ( Photo Taken by Sybastian Manners, February 3, 2015)

 In the photo above the authors aimed to portray three main ideas. Firstly, the formal and informal sectors in a city are influenced by a region's culture as well as they influence a city's culture,  temporal and spatial factors are imperative for the success of both sectors and these sectors are interconnected.

  According to Mumford (1938), in addition to facilitating the gain and expenditure of income, cities serve as organs for the embodiment and transmission of a region's culture.  While the nature of the formal and informal sectors of an urban center is influenced by the culture of a region, as these sectors grow and diversify they impact the urban culture: food, dress, language, patterns of behavior, music. It is these complex, interacting factors which lead to the unique culture of an urban centre as seen in the city of Port of Spain.

In the picture above, a doubles vendor can be seen. Doubles is an East Indian delicacy which is appreciated by Trinidadians of all ethnic groups. This snack is part of the Trinidadian culture and so it is very easy for this business to thrive in a busy urban centre. Moreover, this particular vendor sets up his stall very early in the morning, providing many business persons and their customers with breakfast. He also provides many, especially the urban poor, with lunch. Unknown to this vendor, he may play a very important role in shaping the behavior of many persons: what time they eat, how much they spend and how often they consume a particular meal. Moreover, he has chosen a strategic location, Independence Square, the hub of formal and informal activity in Port of Spain. Due to these factors his business can thrive. This type of industry is not unique to Trinidad. In other Caribbean islands vendors set up stalls in strategic locations. Moreover many busy pedestrians are able to stop and have a meal. In Roseau, Dominica a snack which can be found at many vendor stalls in the early around the city is bake (a fried flour based snack) and codfish. This is usually available in the early mornings and at midday.

 The vendors depend on workers in surrounding government buildings and businesses for their daily income and the workers and customers of the formal sector depend on the vendors for their meals. However as posited by Daniel's (2004), persons sometimes misidentify these two sectors as separate entities and enough attention is not given to the informal sector. This has been the case in Port of Spain since the early 1990s, where authorities and vendors along Independence square have been clashing.  In recent times this has continued to be a matter of controversy.
  
This is further explained in the video below by the Trinidad Express Newspaper.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/videos/---VENDORS-UPSET-2759---229341621.html

 January 1, 2015 was the date slated for the vendors to be permanently relocated in the Port of Spain capital, however the City Corporation is yet to deliver (Trinidad express 2015).  It is the aim of the authors to further explore these and other issues related to employment in the urban center, Port of Spain.

References:

Daniels, P,W. 2004. "Urban Challenges:the Formal and Informal Economies in Mega-cities. " Elsevier 21 (6) : 501-511. doi:10.1016/j.cities.2004.08.00

Mumford, Lewis.1938. The Culture of Cities. New York:Harcourt, Brace and Company. Acessed February 3, 2015. http://myelearning.sta.uwi.edu/file.php/25346/Lewis_Mumford_Introduction_The_Culture_of_Cities_1938_xid-3429222_2.PDF

“Salvatori Vendors Get More Time,” Trinidad Express, January 1, 2015, accessed February 4, 2015,  http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business/Salvatori-vendors-get-more-time-287301291.html?m=y&smobile=y 

 “Vendors Upset,” Trinidad Express, October 25, 2013, accessed February 4, 2015, http://www.trinidadexpress.com/videos/---VENDORS-UPSET-2759---229341621.html