Urban Trinidad

The purpose of this blog was to give a different perspective on urban processes and what makes Trinidad's urban area unique and in most cases similar to other global urban areas. Along with urbanization being our new dietitian, other processes have contributed to our urban lifestyle. It also highlights the fact the cities are places of unequal spaces greatly affecting the discourses of urban life.

Urban Likelihood

http://urbanlivelihood.blogspot.com

The concept of urban livelihood embodied the different ways in which urban dwellers earn a day to day living. Some of the areas looked at were entertainment, street vending, crime and pollution.  In my opinion this blog was very relevant to many of the current situations and provided good links and videos to supplement the material. However, one aspect whichin my opinion could have been included is carnival. Trinidad, the home of soca and pan has created a livelihood for many persons on a local, regional and international scale. In addition, with urban neighbourhoods such as Belmont being the birth place to many steel bands and mass camps, urban communities have grown and survived from carnival. With reference to an urban diet, street food sold by street vendors provides an important source of income to many urban dwellers in Trinidad. In addition the concept of entertainment along the famous Ariapeta Avenue also offers to the creation of third spaces and conviviality among many urbanites.

Illusions of an Urban Paradise

http://theurbanparadise.blogspot.com/2014/04/land-reclaimation-and-ecosystem.html

This blog unveils the ills of urban areas admits the seemingly positive values. The author takes an interesting view about how other side to the things many urbanites enjoy. The post that stood out to me was Land Reclamation and Ecosystem destruction. This post indicates how areas such as City Gate and Movie Town were constructed on environmentally sensitive areas all in the name of development. This can be compared to the fact that sustainability of urban areas in Trinidad is not being taken seriously. Along with ecosystem degradation but also the increased use of foreign produce with the combined degradation of the environment paints a picture of gloom for this country. These processes also extends our ecological footprint. However, the author could have included some videos on some areas of the blog to better enhance her point of views.

Constituents of Caribbean Spaces: Trinidad

http://caribbeancitydynamics.blogspot.com/

This blog has taken an intricate look at the different pieces to the puzzle of what makes Port of Spain “the aged city.” The pictures from this blog were very striking and vivid. The post that was most outstanding to me consisted was about the port. Firstly, the pictures were enthralling. In addition, it looked at the port as being the main area for trade and the importation of Japanese products. This constituent “the port” facilitates the increasing ecological footprint of Trinidad. It is the main hub for the importation of products from other countries. In a sense it does operate as a developed country drawing resources from other countries, for instance ground provision from other Caribbean countries such as St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Sustainability

Apples, not grown locally but are readily sold in this supermarket. No sign of mangoes, sapodillas or paw paw. This photo shows the oppression of local farmers and local produce on the local markets. This photo highlights the abandonment of farmer from his profession due to his/her inability to make any profit due to the unfair competition with foreign produce. This photo points to the one of the first initiatives that urbanites and relevant stakeholders must do in order to promote sustainability in urban areas through food consumption

Our increased food demand, high imports and the increased preference towards fast foods are leading Trinidad on the road to unsustainability, as the majority of foods that we consume are not produced within the country. This is a cause for a deeper look by urban planners, the government and other stakeholders as sustainability is often linked to the effects of the environment on the city or the effects of the city on the environment. However, there is little concern about the effects of urban processes and activities on sustainability (Hall and Barrett 2012).

Over the course of this blog we have looked at how our changes in food consumption as a result of urbanization have affected our lives and also our near and far environs. Therefore, we see that our urban lifestyles do not just affect us as individuals, but also the lives of other people. Thus, urbanization and food consumption need to be connected in a sustainable manner. This allows for use of resources in such a way that it meets current needs without diminishing the benefits of future generations (Hall and Barrett 2012).  The need for sustainability is vital as further widens the socio-economic gap between urban dwellers.  This will lead an increase in the vulnerability of the urban poor to food security. In addition it allows for the negative effects in food systems which heavily influence rural persons. It also intensifies the trends in our urban diets as described in this blog. What would be the consequences it we continue on such a path? Or a more relevant question would be what can be done to promote urban sustainability through food?

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business-magazine/We-eat-what-we-dont-produce-247181611.html?m=y&smobile=y

However, sustainability is difficult to achieve as it is not an absolute term. In my opinion, here in Trinidad one of the main things that we can do to curb our urban diets in order to promote sustainability is through the use of more local foods. Now, this cannot be simply done in isolation, there must be government interventions to ensure that local producers obtain advantages within the local markets.

References

Hall, Tim and Heather Barrett. 2012. Urban Geography. USA: Routledge.

Urbanization, Food and Ecological Footprint

Do you ever stop to think where the food which you consume come from? What are all the different materials which has been used to produce the products which you use? This photo gives us a hint as to where some of or food may be coming from. This photo also indicates that Trinidad alone is not responsible for feeding its large population. I it is imortant to note that there were no signs in Hi-Lo saying "Today's choice, succulent local cuts." In my opinion this photo also illustrates our increased consumption of imported foods, due to our increased demand.It also displays the land, labour, feed, water ,capital and the many other resources which was gathered to create these packages of meat.

With the change in consumption patterns of urbanites, one cannot stop and ponder what are the spin off effects on our surrounding environment, and also our environment that is not in immediate reach? 

As we progressed along this blog, we have seen that there is an increase in taste for foreign products within urban areas of Trinidad. Food imports have increased to approximately 90% with cereals being the single largest commodity followed by vegetables. In addition there is an increase in food consumption on a whole which has result in a food import bill of $4.0 billion in 2009. Thus, the gap between what we are importing and what is being locally produced is becoming wider.

As our trini urban diets continue to grow, and in preference for foreign items, primary consumption would be greater than the political boundaries by urban inhabitants of Trinidad. One must ask then, if we are importing more food than we produce, where are these products coming from? Rees 1992, states that urban areas act as wormholes drawing resources from “elsewhere”. It is important to remember that when food is imported we not only take those products but we also take nutrients from within their soils, virtual water, capital and human labour, we are importing the carrying capacities of these exporting countries. Carrying capacity may be defined as the resources which can sustainably support a given population. From this, with our increasing consumption due to our urban diets there is an increase in the land which is needed to support our growing demands thus, increasing our demand on the ecosphere or our ecological footprint. The video gives a better understanding of what this whole idea of what the concept of ecological foot print is and its importance.

This importing of carrying capacity is facilitated by this world free trade, which is also very much evident on a local scale (Rees 1992). Many Thursdays since I have been here in Trinidad, I have journeyed to the port in Port of Spain to collect those goodies that I just can’t get here in Trinidad. On many  occasions have noticed sacks upon sacks of ground provision that were being off loaded from boats traveling from St Vincent and the Grenadines (home). So here we see Trinidad consuming more than it is providing for its people. Although money is being made through such trade, is it sustainable for Trinidad? Has our urbanized diet with increased consumption and less production steering us down a path void of self-sufficiency?

References

Rees, E. William. 1992.” Ecological Footprints and appropriated Carrying Capacity: What Urban Economics Leaves Out.” Environment and Urbanization 4, 2. 

Rural-Urban Disparities

Hi-Lo supermarket offers  a wide range of food items to its customers. Therefore, persons are not restricted to certain food groups as there is diversity at their disposal. Many urban areas in Trinidad are dotted with supermarkets such as these catering to the increased demand and change in taste for many urban dwellers. In addition, the prices of these items displayed here in this photo are often influences by the socio-economic development of urbanites. Now what effect does this fluctuation in prices has on those that do not fall within the  category of being capable in acquiring such food items? This photo therefore gives a slight insight into the disparities between urban ad rural areas as a result of our urban diets.

We cannot take a look at urbanization without examining the relationships between rural and urban areas. As we know cities are places of unequal spaces, this inequality also spreads beyond the political boundaries of cities. This disparity may be seen between the quality and quantity of food consumption between rural and urban areas which me be brought on by income levels, time constraint and exposure to commercial products (Delishe 1990).

It has been shown that urban dwellers consume fewer staples than rural dwellers. This difference may due to the fact that staples are cheap and affordable for rural persons. On the other hand, persons within urban areas generally have a higher income and are able to purchase a wider variety of foods. Another reason for this disparity can be as a result of lower energy requirements of urbanites. The urban lifestyle is very sedentary, with many persons working from home or offices in service industries, while persons in rural are still heavily employed in primary sectors such as agriculture and fisheries. With respect to such disparities more urban dwellers are developing a greater taste for meat products and less of vegetables and fruits when compared to urban areas. These disparities are also present in Trinidad. From a survey conducted, it was fund that urban dwellers consumed more animal products, sweeteners and oils, while rural persons consumed staples and legumes (FAO 2003).  These interactions are not occurring in isolation but these differences in consumption and socio-economic status may affect the supply of products between rural and urban areas. As the economic status of many urban areas increase, there is often an associated increase in the prices of commodities. As this happens the poorer rural populations cannot afford these products which can lead to a whole list of associated problems such as malnutrition of in some extreme cases such as the Bengal Famine in 1943.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8eTJr5n6P4

With this disconnect between the consumption patterns of rural verses urban, what are the possible future consequences? I believe that there must be some good relations between rural and urban areas t ensure food security and sustainability in spite of our changing urban diets.

References

FAO 2003. FAO Nutrition Country Profiles- Trinidad and Tobago. Accessed April 5, 2014. ftp://ftp.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/ncp/ttomap.pdf.

Delishe, Helene. 1990. Patterns of Urban Food Consumption in Developing Countries: Perspective From the 1980’s. Accessed March 15, 2014. ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/nutrition/urban/delisle_paper.pdf.

Power and Food Security

Both pictures convey one message, which is  that certain persons are not allowed in and around this compound. This is illustrated through the sign on the wall of the building and also the fences with pointed edges, both forms of policing within urban this area. This photo displays one of the ways in which the disparities of power within urban areas has affected the food security of urban dwellers. The restriction of those on the lower end of the socio-economic ladder from food places by prices or infrastructural adjustments. This photo also reminds us that cities are places of unequal spaces.

Within many urban cities including those in Trinidad, there are clear disparities in socio-economic status and power. This difference in power influences the privileges that one may receive. It has often been taught that urban areas often obtain more benefits in comparison to rural areas when it comes to the purchasing of food items due to taxes and a number of other factors. However, the question one must ask is who exactly receives these benefits?  Power and authority can also influence the ease of accessibility to safe, healthy and affordable food. Often times these benefits are only affordable and received by the powerful and healthier urbanites (Delishe 1980).

Many poor persons are often robbed or in other words experience reduced accessibility to food due to power controls. For instance, we see in many urban restaurants there are increased evidence of silent policing of the areas through fences and awkwardly shaped benches. Or this can be obvious policing by having a security guard present. This is clearly to exclude those who are often poor and not of a certain social status to enter these place to have meals or to even ask for the left overs in their kitchens. Another means in which power has minimized the accessibility of poor persons to food is through the defining of public and private space. More and more we see what may have been seen as public spaces operated and controlled as private spaces, a debate which continues today. Again this leads to the exclusion of the less fortunate from certain spaces. Because, food accessibility is so intertwined in the meager salaries of poor persons, it puts them at increasing vulnerability to food security due to the inflation of prices.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/letters/High-food-prices-as-much-a-crime-against-citizens-241028211.html

This is due to the fact that poorer persons spend most of their income on food. With the increase in demands of food and economic status of many urbanites, food prices often increase. Poorer persons are then unable to purchase these food items and often left with the choice of consuming unhealthy foods or no food at all (Delishe 1980).

References

Delishe, Helene. 1990. Patterns of Urban Food Consumption in Developing Countries: Perspective From the 1980’s. Accessed March 15, 2014. ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/nutrition/urban/delisle_paper.pdf.

Urban Diet and the Urban Poor

This photo was take at the Tunpuna market. A display of vegetables from a local farmer. Within our urban areas there not only exist the affluent but, also the very urban poor. This pictures shows some of the healthy choices that many urban poor are unable to acquire due to their socio-sconomic status. It shows the choices that are often neglected eve though poorer persons have obtained enough purchasing power. It shows us the choices poor urbanites may neglect, not escaping the ever reaching effects of globalization. In addition, the abundance of minerals and vitamins provided by these items in the photo are often absent from the many diets or poor urban dwellers. Increasing their vulnerability to nutrient deficiencies and dietary problems. 

In previous posts I have talked about urbanites using their disposable incomes to purchase fast food or street food. What about those that do not have the luxury of doing so? What about the urban poor?  Disparities in food consumption are as a result of high socio- economic differences among urban dwellers. The urban poor are often targets of food insecurity often due to the fluctuations of their meager salaries and are also located in squatter settlements or slums which harbor poor environmental conditions. The urban poor are also vulnerable to food security as food and other needs compete for their small salaries and there is often lack of family and neigbourhood ties within urban areas (Delishe 1990).

The choice of food among persons is often determined by culture, ecology admits other factors. However, among the urban poor this choice is constrained by socio-economic factors such as income. Nutrient deficiencies are often associated with the urban poor as they are unable to afford high nutrient or high energy foods. However, even though poor urbanites are constrained their choices in foods are often those which are inferior (Delishe 1990). The urban poor are not hidden away from the effects of globalization and commercial advertisements, and often purchase the foods which are nutrient poor adding to their nutritional vulnerability. In East Port of Spain such as Beetham and Sea Lots, where the less powerful and least privilege reside, their lack of opportunities to employment, stigma and dilapidated surroundings increases their vulnerability to food security.

 However, in St Clair where the socio-economic status is quite the opposite, persons obtain food security easily.  Due to the lack of specific data it is difficult to declare that persons in east Port of Spain are highly under nourished due to their socio-economic status.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/Some-causes-of-poverty-in-East-Port-of-Spain-209435071.html

References

Delishe, Helene. 1990. Patterns of Urban Food Consumption in Developing Countries: Perspective From the 1980’s. Accessed March 15, 2014. ftp://ftp.fao.org/es/esn/nutrition/urban/delisle_paper.pdf.

Super size Me!!

In this picture we see a possible norm within our near future. A future of overweight and obsessed individuals. This is the result of our urban diet, a diet which is filled with sweeteners, fats and oils. A diet which is slowly taking us to our grave. This picture was taken in Airapeta Avenue carnival Monday in Trinidad. During my observations i realized that these "love handles" were common among many of the mass men and women on that day. Is this the future image of Trinidad? Has our urbanized lifestyle dictated our diets in such a way that it is breeding a future of super sized individuals.

There is no doubt that as you look around Port of Spain or in most urban areas in Trinidad; one would notice that our waistlines are expanding. There has definitely been a nutrition transition from the more tradition diets which consisted mostly of root crops, cereal and fiber to one high in sugar, fats, animal products and highly processed foods (Rae 1999).

This shift in our diet has been as a result of the shift in socio-economic factors which have resulted due to urbanization. As the improvement in economic statuses of persons increased, so did their disposable income. Thus, persons spend this extra income on westernized type foods which are promoted through globalization, increased communication and marketing strategies. This increased intake of these high calorific foods through artificial sweeteners and edible oils with an accompanying reduction in the intake of traditional fruits, vegetables and crops, is negatively affecting the biological make-up of many urban dwellers in Trinidad. The preference of such foods, in particular fast foods is intensified through our urban lifestyles. These unhealthy foods are the ones that are convenient, cheap and in most cases delicious. One has to ask, should we blames these fast food chains for our unhealthy lifestyles or ourselves? The link below follows to a movie examining the phenomena that is happening today.

Trinidad is suffering with increasing rates of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension. In fact the FAO stats indicate that Trinidad and Tobago ranks sixth among world countries with having 30% of their adult population being obese (Whadropt-Fergosun 2014). It has also been documented that child obesity figures in Trinidad are of a higher rate than that of the United States (Ramdass 2014).

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/woman-magazine/This-Health-issue-is-critical-250429911.html

It is evident that our nutritional transition based on our urban diet is negatively affecting the health or many trini urbanites, even the younger generation. It seems as though if we continue on this path we would be breeding a nation of “rollie pollies.”

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Child-obesity-rate-in-TT-alarming-243277131.html

References

Rae, Allan. 1999. “Food Consumption Patterns in Urban Java Households: the discriminatory power of some socioeconomic variables.” The Australian Journal of Agriculture and Resource Economics 43:3, 359-383.

Ramdass, Anna. 2014. “Child Obesity Rate in T&T Alarming”. Trinidad Express. February 3, 2014. Accessed March 1, 2014. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Child-obesity-rate-in-TT-alarming-243277131.html.

Whadropt-Ferguson, Lorraine. 2014. “This Health Issue is Critical.” Trinidad Express. March 15, 2014. Accessed March 29, 2014. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/woman-magazine/This-Health-issue-is-critical-250429911.html.

How has our Urban Diet changed our Urban Form?

Many UWI students flock to the students' activity centre (SAC) everyday.  Whether it be to have lunch, study or just hang out, this central spot has become a third place for many student. It has become a spot for the sharing of so much information and experiences.

The advent of our urbanized diets has not only changed our biological component but it has also changed the make-up of the urban city. As noted previously the increase in urbanization has led to a diet which consists mainly of food purchased outside of the home. Food that is fast, convenient and cheap. It seems as though the more we purchase ‘take out,’ the less we spend time in our kitchens cooking a pot of home cooked corn soup, much less the home

Therefore, spaces within the urban centre must be transformed in order to accommodate this influx of urbanites. As a result we see fast food joints and even corner street food stands providing comfortable seating areas and amenities in order to accommodate and ensure the return of their customers. These food outlets have created many third places within urban areas. These spaces provide a home away from home, an accommodating environment, food and drink and of course the regulars.

These third spaces are abundant within urban areas of Trinidad; a perfect example is walking along the Ariapeta Avenue.

http://chamber.org.tt/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/culinary-tourism-con-feb-19-14.pdf 

We see ever more often restaurants and food stalls are visited and embraced by many urbanites in Trinidad; I have even experienced this back home. Although our night life is not as vibrant as Trinidad’s one thing is certain, everyone flocks to Hamilton on a Friday night to get some of Bradshaw’s finger licking Barbecue chicken. Here, many locals congregate on the benches and stand around on the bay-side while enjoying each other’s company. The increase in third places within urban spaces as a result of our urbanized diet has also lead to the act of conviviality. This not only involves the interaction between persons laughing and having a great time, but also interaction with their environment.

What does this say about the future for urban planners? 

Would many of our streets in Port of Spain and other urban areas be filled with side walk cafes with outdoor seating? And if so, would it foster a sense of social capital or community spirit?

References

Banerjee, Tridib. 2001. “The Future of Public Space- Beyond Invented Streets and Reinvented Places.” APA Journal 67, 1.