Port of Spain Food Culture. Is it creating a 'sick' society?

           According to many of the readings on Urban development, the end result of the city is a concentration of the economic sectors. With this concentration we get high population densities, mainly of working class.Urban development has evolved the working class of today’s society. More women are participating in the workforce. Women in turn spend less time cooking and more time on the job. As a result there is an increase in the consumption of fast food throughout the population. It has become a part of urban culture to engage in consumption of fast foods such as KFC and other restaurant chains within the city. Fast food has become so important to urban areas that we see a food outlet on every corner. The KFC on independence square Iv'e heard has the largest gross sales within Trinidad and almost has the highest gross sales in the world, when compared to other KFC branches. If you don’t take my word for it, check this out: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,72375.html. KFC independence square has a line-up for almost the entire day; from the early morning hours to late night. 
            Fast food has become an integral part of urban space over the years. Over the years we have also seen an increase in obesity and problems related to obesity, such as diabetes and hypertension. Urban development is usually accompanied by a busier lifestyle and increased consumption of fast food.Is the city to blame for our 'sickness' or are we to blame. I believe that the City of Port-of-Spain does not have the sufficient facilities to allow for exercise and other fitness activities, apart from expensive gym memberships. I think our city is inefficient in providing open space for fun and games. 

POS Reflection

          Port-of Spain (POS)......what I saw with a simple place-check. The streets are home to the homeless/vagrants, rubbish and stray animals. Pollution is at every corner, along every road; be it air pollution, water pollution or land pollution.

         What needs to be fixed: With the heavy traffic on the roads within the city (due to poor traffic planning and no real provision for secure, convenient parking) the vehicular exhausts pollute the air. There is the smell of stagnant polluted water in the drains. Also, I think someone opened an illegal warehouse on the sidewalk. These things should be addressed with urgency.
          What could be improved: Upon interviewing one woman, she had nothing good to say about the city. On the other hand she gave some in-site into what see believed would enhance the city. These were: building refurbishment, street and sidewalk cleanup, planting of trees and reduction in private cars operating as taxis.
         What was good: It is hard to identify something good about the city, other than it's concentration of trade and business. I would have to say that there is still a sense of tradition held by the citizens when they talk about the city which could be considered good. This means that there is still hope for a better city.
         After touring the Central Business District, our class went over to Belmont, which is an urban settlement east of POS. In Belmont we looked at several landmarks including Shine Terrace, Mas Camps, Child Welfare league and the Rada Community Cemetery.
          Shine Terrace is a settlement of low cost housing,developed by Arthur Mc Shine. There was no urban planning when the settlement was established. First there was houses, which led to roads, then drains and finally the pavement.This type of housing is typical of urbanization as the population tends to move closer to the city. The Glendon Morris Copper Works and Mas Camp is an establishment that produces traditional mas. I must give credit to the owner and employees who dedicate their life to preserving our culture in light of what mas is 'today'.
          The Child Welfare League was established as a home for children, who, for various reasons were not afforded a home and family of their own. Finally we went to the Rada Community Cemetery. The Rada community developed from free Africans that came to Trinidad. these Africans had their own religious beliefs and developed their own cemetery. Only members of their community were buried in the cemetery.
         Although I have listed some good aspects of the community, a resident suggested to us that there is a spill over of crime from Laventille into there community. They would also like to see more community recreational facilities.
        It was 'eye opening' to realize how time had it's effect on the development of an urban community and how the city influences the growth of communities.