Conclusion and Reflection

        Urban congestion takes form in cities in various ways and contributes to many problems to people and the environment. The aim of this blog was to shed light on the different aspects of urban congestion, its contributors, the impacts which result from this congestion and suggestion possible futures for the city and suggestions to alleviate these problems. The picture blog has allowed me to better understand the many issues of urban life with respect to urbanization, growth and development. 

        Some of my colleagues blogs are able to further expand and touch on 3 of my major topics which generate a significant amount of urban congest and one of the major loses due to this congestion:

The Informal Economy  (Stephanie Lalla) : street vendors crowd the road ways, streets, pavements and walk ways in cities, this tends to lead to increased traffic congestion as well as Pollution (Vanessa Boodoo) as they leave garbage and waste along the roads and drains.
With increasing urbanization and expansion of cities we see a loss of green space to accommodate new building and infrastructure and we neglect The Importance of Green Spaces/Parks (Terry-Ann Arjoo)

Increasing Urban Congestion

            The issue of urban congestion is one that is continuously on the rise within cities. Urbanization first led to more growth and development which contributed to the initial congestion in the city. Urban growth attract people, business and companies/industries to its CBD, therefore initial congestion has been exacerbated over the years as urban cities grow and expand outward, creating urban sprawl and large urban cities. Cities have become extremely congested with high rise buildings, clustered streets, pollution and a high population density. Urbanization will continue to occur but there needs to be management of this urban growth and development. 
            Pollution (air, land, water), traffic, loss of green space, crime and violence, rise in cost of living will all continue to increase in cities. The pictures show construction of high rise infrastructure and housing that will eventually attract more people and business into urban areas. We also see the preservation and restoration of building to maintain some history of the urban cities.  

Todd Litman executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute proposed Smart Congestion Solutions in 2014

   With growing cities much consideration needs to go into the people of the city and the way their lifestyle will also change. The trailer for the inspiring new documentary about urban agriculture in America, GROWING CITIES follows innovators, activists, and everyday city-dwellers who are transforming communities one vacant lot, beehive, and rooftop farm at a time. Along the way, viewers discover urban agriculture is about a whole lot more than simply good food.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlSlkAB8cBo

Homelessness... More and more Vagrants

   

 

      Homelessness in urban areas is increasing due to the rise in cost of living and unemployment and these people are seen as outcasts in society. The number of vagrants are on the rise as urban congestion increases due to urbanization and economic growth and lack of resources It is more conducive for them to "live" in urban areas as they find shelter easier, many food outlets are around therefore they can search through garbage for food and drinks and are able to "beg" pedestrians for money.
      The rise in cost of living, land areas, housing and rent, economic down turn, recession and job lay offs, this leave many people bankrupt, unemployed and homeless. In some case street dwellers maybe mentally unstable, handicapped or substance abusers and are unable to receive medical treatment.
     In congested urban areas with heavy economic activities vagrants are seen as a threat as some commit theft and vandalism. They are also a nuisance to pedestrians as vagrants will pester people for money.

     In the Article Actions Against Vagrancy Trinidad puts measures in place to deal with and mitigate the issue of homelessness in urban areas.  

     Vagrancy is prominent in Trinidad, as well as the Caribbean and around the world. The following video gives some statistics on Homelessness in America 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TelyWI6oko

Low Income Housing... Squatter Settlement

           As seen in previous post, urban congestion is a direct result of urbanization causing decentralization and urban sprawl leading to the development of rich suburbs (gated communities and high rise apartments). Urban congestion also lead to the formation of Squatter Settlement  and low income residential housing on the fringes of the city. As growth and development continues the cost of living rises, people lose their jobs, rent and cost of land and houses increase drastically and some are unable to keep up with the increase in the cost of living and are push out of the city. The result is low quality settlement as seen in the following pictures. 

         
         These residential housing can be planned, low income, high density, small housing designs eg Beetham or squatter settlement, unplanned and illegal as seen in Sea Lots. Characterized by poor housing infrastructure and lack of basic amenities, these houses are found crammed together with little or no space between them. There are high levels of unemployment and poverty in these areas due to lack of governmental assistance.

        Urbanization, poverty and socio-cultural factors are the drivers of this type of informal settlement. Some people are quite satisfied with their living conditions as one can find a sense of community and kinship among residents. Many have labelled a negative stereotype to these places being associated with crime, violence, drugs, gangs and illegal activity. This type of negative connotation has led to further segregation, fragmentation and social exclusion.
        The congestion and high population density of these informal settlement causes pollution of the land and water, clearing of trees and lack of green space or personal space and poor road ways, limiting accessibility.  

        Report produced by Dr.Kevon Rhiney of the Department of Geology and Geography in the University of the West Indies, Mona, its titled

Housing Challenges in Third World Cities looks at the following issues in urban areas with respect to housing settlements:

• Housing Problems in Third World Countries
• Global Housing Challenges 
• Housing the Urban Poor
• Housing Policies and Urban Planning 
• Water and Sanitation for Urban Poor
• Types of Low-Income Housing 
• Evolution of Squatter Settlement
• Major Sources of Third World Housing
• Solutions
• Housing in the Caribbean
• Government Approaches
• Housing in Trinidad/Jamaica/Programs
• Current Situation

The Rich Suburbs... High Income Housing

               

                A result of urban congestion is the development of gated communities and high rise living apartments and condominiums in the rich suburbs. Residents of these areas are a result of urban sprawl and decentralization in an attempt to seek living accommodations away from the problems of city life example: high population density, traffic, pollution, crime, construction, noise, lack of green space. Those who reside in these gated communities are the more wealthy persons in society living on a high income and able to afford this lifestyle "pay to stay". 
      Over the years many have developed models to explain the way in which urban areas are designed and land use patterns. The way cities are developed in the 21st century is much different to how it was in the pre-industrial days. Sjoberg, developed a model showing the lay out of pre-industrial cities where the elites ie the most rich and well off in society were found at the heart of the city, the CBD, and the least wealth were found on the suburbs and periphery of the city with clear segregation of classes and ethnicity. However, within the 20th and 21st century new model were proposed that show the change in the city's make up with respect to who belongs where.
      Models by Burgess and Hoytt of post industrial cities show the rich now moving away from the city center to the periphery in high income housing areas due to urban sprawl. The poorest of society live closest to the Central Business District (CBD) as they are unable to afford the expensive property and high cost of commuting. 
      With the increasing numbers moving to gated communities in the suburbs this leads to fragmentation and segregation of society between gated community residents and the public and increased social exclusion. There is also the increase in congestion in the suburbs, these housing areas very expensive and cause a rise in property value of non gated neighbourhood as these residents are forced to become gated to maintain the value of their property eventually leading to a clustered distribution pattern of gated communities. 
      Gated communities result in the loss of the concept of traditional neigbourhoods, its importance and architecture and is now associated high status and with the connotation of being the modern way of life and living. 

ADVANTAGES OF GATED COMMUNITIES:

• Gated communities can be safer from crime.
• There is no through traffic. The neighbourhood is safer for children.
• Homeowners have private and exclusive access to sites.
• Provides the public authorities with wealthy taxpayers, at no cost.
• Property values in large gated communities show a better resistance to market fluctuations.
• The development can assist the social, environmental and economic regeneration of a neglected and run-down inner city district of abandoned factories and decaying homes.

The following animated video explains the pro in a traditional neigbourhood and cons of living in a gated community.

Gated Community vs Traditional Neighborhood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LbDX4CC4lo

Urban Sprawl... Moving away from the CBD

          As further development takes place in urban cities, the Central Business District (CBD) becomes more and more congested and can be seen in Trinidad, the Caribbean and around the world. As more people reside in urban areas and migrate to the cities coupled with more infrastructural development there is decreasing available space. Rapid population and urban growth has led to urban sprawl.

   
        
           Urban sprawl is defined as the unplanned, uncontrolled growth and outward expansion of urban development to the edges of a city. Urban sprawl is linked to decentralization where residents and some industries prefer a low density living area. This sprawl can be associated with negative connotations of slums and squatters on the city's edges.
          These pictures show of Port-of-Spain and the CBD and the direction of movement away from the CBD to areas of slum/squatter residents, low residential planned housing and high rise/high end living accommodations.
            
Author Richard Peisern explains urban sprawl the article
 Decomposing Urban Sprawl:

• explains how people have a general misconception of what is really meant by urban sprawl and tend to associate urban sprawl with negativity and problems
• due mismanagement and lack of control of urban sprawl due to a lack of knowledge on the concept of urban sprawl
• urban sprawl occurs all over the world (LDC’s & DC’s) and can have positive and negative impacts base on what type of sprawl it is

           Urban sprawl has always occurred in cities due to urbanization. The population density at the CBD would be at its highest with increasing development and growth, then a significant decrease in residential settlement as they move to the outskirts (periphery) of the city. Middle and low class more out as well as the wealthy. Some move as they are unable to afford living int he CBD as the price of land an housing and rent goes up, and other move to live in a more environmentally friendly area which cost more but have the benefit of more security, less noise, air, land pollution, more green space and better housing designs. 
           Though urban sprawl is unplanned, the housing areas are sometimes planned. Gated communities, high rise apartments and condominiums are all planned with income residents in mind and caters to their needs and wants. As many people try to get away from the congestion of the city, there is the need for housing to built sky-wards to reduce the congestion as there isn't enough land available.
           There is also low income housing built on the outskirts of the city, which is more compact and crammed with less amenities and lower living standards as high income residential areas. In some instances many are unable to afford these housing and therefore resort to squatting or slum areas. These areas are usually the poorest with dilapidated houses, all of which are cluttered together.
          Urban sprawl is a result of urban congestion, but urban sprawl can sometimes lead a new type of congestion just in a different location. In the following blogs to come I shall take a look at slum/squatter areas, low income housing and high end living which all result from urban sprawl. 

         The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean: Sustainable Development and Human Settlement Division explore the present condition of Caribbean cities and the proposed and expected future of these cities with the people in mind in the report 
                             Urban Sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean

Clustered Streets... Street Vending

         In urban cities it is very common to find streets being cluttered and crammed with street vendors, pedestrians and parked cars. Street vending has been part of ancient culture and is still part of our culture and society. Vendors sell just about anything and everything you can think about on the streets, pavements and sidewalks: fruits and vegetables, clothes, jewelry, furniture, food, drinks,CD's,  DVD's, flowers/plants, appliance, accessories etc. Many of these diversified vendors, vend illegally as they do not have vending licenses, but for many it is the only means by which they can make a living and support themselves and their family. 
      These street vendors cause many problems which are related to urban congestion:

• Pollution - garbage and waste dumped along the roadside and drains
• Encroachment onto pavements which can be a nuisance to pedestrians and hinder them from walking
• Reduce the size of the road lane - vendors on either side of the streets occupy so much space that only one car at a time can use the these 2 lane streets
• Cause traffic congestion
• Take sales away from other businesses
• Aesthetically unpleasing   

        Parallel to these vendors are business, stores, offices, shops etc an therefore these pavements are always busy with pedestrians and customers. Legal business owners usually are unhappy with the problem of street vendors as they take business away from them "steal customers" and arguments can arise between business men and vendors, sometimes even between vendors for space and the threat of competition. Streets are lined with parked cars must of which is illegal parking from vendors selling from their cars or people parking to go purchase goods. This type of urban road congestion often leads to traffic on these streets. This is known as the informal economy and is common to the Caribbean and around the world as these vendor as not able to afford buildings. Much of these problems are attributed to a lack of law enforcement as some of these are illegal activities. 
        As urban areas grow in developing countries there is a increase in urban vending and further congestion of urban streets. According the the National Street Vendors Association in India they have identified two major causes of street vending in developing countries:

1. Lack of employment and poverty in rural areas which has forced many into cities seeking better employment , but as they are not skilled to obtain formal jobs, they often join this type of informal economy.
2. Some of these vendors may have been employed into the formal sector but lost their jobs due to closure, down-sizing or mergers and therefore vending was the only option to make an honest living.

HAVE A LAUGH: Short Film VENDING RIVALRY 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JHfltlgCoU

Have a read of the following articles for more incite on street vending  

1. Street Vending in the Caribbean
   Street-side Food Vending & Food Safety
2. Understanding the dynamics of Street VendingStreet Vending: Urban Problem & Economic Potential