THE END OF THE BLOGS, THE START OF THE URBAN JOURNEY

WELCOME TO THE URBAN LIFE, WHERE FEELINGS ABOUT THE URBAN IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE BUILDINGS

This is my 12th post and it sadly culminates the end of my blogging adventure for Geog 2007.
I was called to analyse the urban area in which I reside and those that surround me. Everyday I travel these streets, admire these buildings and go on. I never take the time out to examine the mechanics of the urban life. I never took a deeper look at what happens behind the scenes...the motives for the form of structures we have, the reasons why "urban wear" is the popular way of dress, the way urban youth behave the way they do, the role of popular institutions in shaping the urban landscape.
This assignment forced me to look closer and I was shocked by what I saw.

I entitled my blog, "The Hustle and Bustle of Urban Life" because the first thing I noticed on examination is that we do everything too fast. We build quickly, we accept but also refuse quickly, we are quick to forget...and nobody takes the time to slow down...admire...enjoy...
I focused on non-traditional elements of things that convey speed, like how fast our urban youth adapt to foreign cultures, and not only on cars and their role in the urban setting.

But, my other course colleagues took several spins on the urban that contrasted and complemented mine. Most of them focused on the actual form of the city as in the buildings, some on the inhabitants within and a few, like me, on the personal, behind-the-scenes activities.

I'd like to draw attention to the following three blogs:

1.Hannah Sammy's Facets of Urban Life
She broke down the city to its roots. She forced us to pay attention to not only the city itself but to why things are the way they are. Her use of poetry, sometimes from the point of view of a building!, was both intriguing and encompassing, personifying the urban.

2. Sayyida Ali's A Journey Into The Urban
And what a journey it was! She took us through the streets of the urban, mainly San Fernando. She urged us to focus on alternative transport in an effort to reduce vehicular traffic. Throughout her blog, she forced self-examination, making us analyze the principles by which we live and reconsidering for a greener, better urban.

3. Tamara Atwaroo's I am not HOMELESS!
Unlike the city's form, Tamara focused on the city's people. The persons we pass asleep on the sidewalks, those we cross the roads to avoid. The city to us is places of work, school and recreation. To these people, she reminded us that it was home. As much as we may not like to see it, "houselessness" is present in the city but does houseless mean homeless?


We live in the urban, but do we really LIVE in the urban?
Be aware of where you live and what happens in it always! Maybe, you may just be part of a positive change within it.


A.Maynard :)

WHAT DO I SAY TO YOU?

WELCOME TO THE URBAN LIFE, WHERE ALL THE BUILDINGS HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY

The twin towers in Port-of-Spain used to dominate our city’s capital landscape. It was the building that represented the wealth of PoS and the landmark that mothers pointed out to children. Now, it is just a pair of buildings hidden among other grander skyscrapers.

In Chaguanas, such a building was being replicated. It was supposed to be tall and domineering. It would have acted as a hub for commercial activity. The structure had grand plans in its future. Today, it is an empty, incomplete shell. Whenever I pass nearby, I see the elusive power of the structure.  I see the plan behind the unrealized dream.

("Twin Towers, Chaguanas")

This draws me to the point that one of my colleagues made during a discussion. He said that Mr. Patrick Manning built buildings for himself, to somewhat use those to show his reach of power. The case study used was NAPA, PoS. Whether the statement is true or not, it does provoke a thought. It reminds us that firstly, buildings are built with a purpose in mind that is usually exemplified in its architectural style. But, hidden behind the façade is the provocative thought that buildings are built by and for man, most times with an agenda. And this agenda is manifested also in the form of the final product.

Source: wurliboy.wordpress.com

I will use two examples to exemplify this point.

The following picture is one of a building we all know well. It bombards us as we enter or leave UWI, St. Augustine campus through the North Gate. From the first day I saw it, I was enraptured by its beauty. I personally believe that it is the prettiest building on campus. But, quietly it exudes power.

("Old Admin, UWI)

This was the old Administration Building. It was where the most important, non-teaching activities took place. Here, futures were dictated through acceptances and denials. Here, tuitions were paid and scholarship letters received. This is the building that produced the glue that held the University together. Today, its role may not be as prominent, but its architectural design leaks a sense of power more potent than the current Administration building. The “new Admin” blends in instead of standing out. It could be a mimic of any modern design building.

The edgy Victorian style of the “old Admin” reminds us of the past when the homes of the elite were of this design. The people wielding the most influence lived in homes of this style. Even today, around the QPS, these older homes maintain their sense of authority despite degrading conditions.

This was the message behind the design of the “old Admin”. It was the powerhouse of the University and so it had to look its part.

Secondly, along the McBean Stretch, between St. Mary’s and Couva, one can find a castle. It seems most out of place nestled between two smaller, simple styled homes. 

(The Castle, close up)

(The Castle, full house)

This is the home of the Rev. Dr. Winston Cuffie, founding pastor of Miracle Ministries. He was quoted as saying, “My flock built my castle.” Some may ask if such extravagance is necessary. Everybody wants and desires a beautiful home, but how far is too far? Pastor Cuffie is a prominent man in Trinidad and Tobago. He pastors one of the most successful churches, is the father of Winsie-ann Cuffie who is making waves throughout the world and is even the Recipient of the Chaconia Medal (Gold), one of the Nation’s most prestigious awards, for Religion.

This is a powerful man. And, by default, all this associated with him carries that image of power and superiority. My PERSONAL OPINION is that sometimes it might seem slightly overdone, little “show-offy” but others may beg to differ. His home, his church, his radio program, his billboards along the highway (near the Chase Village Flyover) all show that this is a man with influence and power. The idea that is conjured up in one’s mind when one thinks of a castle, is royalty. He has never hidden the fact that he considers himself and family (and flock) no less than this. This is why he also associates with the colour purple which represents royalty. The provoking thought of ‘built by man, for man usually with a hidden agenda’ comes to mind again.

So, buildings are not just erected for use. Buildings and their forms are ideas of a man who has specific plans for the use of his structure.

Men are not just empty shells. They are creature with dreams and ideals and more likely than not, images of grandeur for themselves.

Some men have the means by which they can commission, sanction and erect buildings.

When all these factors come into play, we have the form of the building being molded to all these variables. A building of a certain style with a certain purpose will have a specific look. If this look is appealing and functions well, we may have imitator buildings emerging near-by or in similar type settings. And before long, we have our urban form taking shape.

Chapter 5 of Urban Geography deals with urban form and how it is influenced.

Port-of-Spain transformed before our eyes under the stewardship of Mr. Patrick Manning. The change came from above, the then Prime Minister of our country.

The homes along the McBean stretch are becoming increasingly larger and more elegant. The change came from below, a citizen just like you and I.

The “twin towers of Chaguanas”, empty and deserted now, was once envisioned to engage in activities similar to our “real” twin towers on Edward St. PoS. The change was due to the influence of booming economic activity.

Our urban form is changing slowly but surely. Sit up and pay attention to what the new buildings are trying to tell us.  

(Wrightson Road from Hyatt)

Sources:
The Structure and Form of Urban Settlements

Urban Geography by Tim Hall and Heather Barrett (2012)

I DO WHAT I WANT ‘CUZ IT’S MINE

WELCOME TO THE URBAN LIFE, WHERE PLANNING SEEMS LIKE A FAR FETCHED DREAM

On my way home on afternoon, I fell asleep on the bus. I was also enjoying the traffic (!) which delayed my journey home allowing me to sleep longer. However, I was rudely awakened by this loud pounding noise. Awake and disoriented, I looked for the source of the noise. It was loud and annoying and quite disturbing. I looked out my window and saw a man pounding a truck tire rim in place with what appeared to be a sledge hammer. (I have no idea how mechanics work!) I was angry because whenever I am startled by loud noises, I awake with a headache. But then, I was amazed because one building down was the Chaguanas Health Facility. And my heart went out to all those people there who are ill and have to listen to this noise produced by the mechanic shop (which is large and highly serviced). On the rest of my journey and subsequent ones, I really looked and analyzed the layout of the borough of Chaguanas. I had to come to the conclusion that urban planning is the plague in Chaguanas. The people run from it.

(Used Car Parts Place)

I had the pleasure to be taught about the Trincity Millennium Vision Plan from one of the planners heavily involved. Subsequent to that, I had the honor to attend the Caribbean Urban Forum 2013 held in Trinidad this year. The thought process behind urban planning is enthralling. It’s a beautiful concept, seeing a city on paper and having it transform into a livable, real space. A place controlled and regulated. A place where everyone is allowed an avenue for expression, without over-shadowing a fellow neighbour. A place where everyone who resides within are comfortable, peaceful and happy.

Source: hclhomes.com

Chaguanas, and central Trinidad by extension, is a lovely place. But it is also a chaotic space with too many things vying for too little viable space. The Trincity Millennium Vision Plan had mentioned that “everything will have its place.” Small business will be together; residential will be separate and apart etc. I initially thought that was plain, bland and will lack originality. But, I reconsidered. It’s a logical solution to some of our urban problems. Discord and disharmony arises from little problems that build over time that can be prevented with a little planning.

In Calcutta along the main road I noticed a few contrasting things. There were at least 7 tire shops along a 15 minute drive; there is a mas camp located next to a temple; there is a bar next to a pre-school; there is a concrete block and cement wholesale business next to a residential area. The dust raised from that venture is impressive! I started to look for TCL nearby. So many clashing businesses along this one stretch. This pattern is repeated throughout our urban areas.

 

 

(Trucking Company in Residential Area)

What is most amazing about how and where people build in T&T however, is the fact that persons seem ignorant of the Town and Country Planning Act. It is “an Act to make provision for the orderly and progressive development of land in both urban and rural areas and to preserve and improve the amenities thereof; for the grant of permission to develop land and for other powers of control over the use of land; to confer additional powers in respect of the acquisition and development of land for planning; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid.” (Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 35:01; August 1969).

It is law to pass through Town and Country Planning before erecting any structure yet most people don’t. It is about time that the authorities start to crack down on this; because, in the lapse time, we are ruining the livability of our urban areas. We are creating spaces that contain too many contrasting elements. They do indeed contribute to the character of the place but too much of anything is never a good thing. I will always refer to the statement that the quality of urban space is just as important as the buildings comprising it.

Urban areas are the places that are drawing people in expecting to give them a better quality of life. In turn, we are ruining the appeal of the urban by excessive, unregulated growth. We are sprawling instead of growing in a planned manner. This must stop before we ruin our urban. A small measure of control and by assigning space can and will do wonders for the value of the urban we produce. 

Conflicting Use of Space?

Source: skyscrapercity.com

Sources:

Urban Planning in Theory and Practice: A Reappraisal by AJ Scott & ST Roweis

Caribbean Urban Forum 2013 - Speakers Notes

HORROR OF HOSPITALIZATION

WELCOME TO THE URBAN LIFE, WHERE DOCTORS DEAL LESS WITH HOSPITALIZATION OF PATIENTS AND MORE WITH HOSPITALITY BETWEEN THEMSELVES

I had always heard about the decaying health care system in Trinidad and Tobago but was fortunate enough to never experience it. That is, until Wednesday 3^rd April 2013. Long story short, I became severely ill and had to be carded to the Couva District Health Facility. I arrived shortly after 8 pm… to an empty health centre. I thought, “The Gods must be smiling upon me! No patients! I will breeze through here J!” It didn’t last long. I had arrived during shift change. I sat, twiddled my thumbs, trying my hardest to stay alive. Finally I was called to the nurse. It was now about twenty to nine. I saw the nurse and then had to wait for the doctor…again. I assumed that he was with a patient. After a few minutes waiting, I heard boisterous talking and laughing and joking. “Maco-ing slightly”, I saw a few nurses, two security guards and the doctor, engaged in joyous celebrations. While I sat dying. Alone. Some ten minutes later the crowd of workers dispersed and again hope filled my heart. I must be next! I smiled at the lady next to me, pitying the wait she now had. If my illness didn’t kill me, I was sure a heart attack would. The doctor came and called the lady by name, hugged her and asked, “What’s the issue tonight?” My wait was far from over. Later I learnt that that was one of his patients from his private practice. When I was finally called at about ten past ten, I was half asleep, half dead.

My diagnosis was, “I’m not sure. I’d have to refer you to San Fernando. Carry this letter with you. And I’d give you some antibiotics and painkillers. Go Sando as soon as possible.”

Skip to Friday 5^th April 2013. After much prodding from my mother to go, I arrived at the hospital at 10 am. I was registered at 10.50 am. Called to Accident and Emergency at 11am. Saw a doctor at 4.30 pm.  Had the IV tube inserted into my hand (sans IV!) at 4.45pm. Warded at 7.15pm. Saw another doctor at 11.25pm. Discharged at 12.03am! I looked at the doctor. My parents were long gone and I definitely could not have travelled home. I was given a bed at 12.37am, had the IV tube removed at about 7.15am after begging for about ten minutes and finally left the next morning at about 8am.

And I must stress that, I WAS GIVEN NO TREATMENT FOR MY AILMENT. I must thank God for being alive today to blog this.

(My hospital cards)

The state of disrepair in the health system is unbelievable. The physical building is dirty and very unsanitary especially considering that there are people there trying to heal. The doctors and nurses seem too complacent in their positions. The saw more fraternization between nurses and doctors than I ever saw between friends at UWI. Their camaraderie is commendable, but at the expense of what…of whom? The chatting may build work relations but slow down the system. Instead of treating the sick as soon as possible, they leave people there suffering only to ward them later on when hospitalization may not have even been necessary.

Why is this important to urban life? Good urban cities are defined by many things, one of them being excellent services, especially health care, for the citizens. San Fernando one of two cities in Trinidad and boasts of many achievements. Health care, is not, CANNOT, be one of them. Trinidad and Tobago as a whole is trying to achieve first world status. If we must satisfy certain requirements of the Human Development Index (HDI), then we have a long way to go in term of health care.

The newspapers, the reporters, they always have something to say about the health care system in T&T. It’s time for the persons in charge to look up and shape up. The problems that plague the system are not limited to only a lack of beds. It’s also a lack of medication in the hospitals and health centres. That makes the CDAP programme useless. It’s the lack of proper diagnoses for patients or the lack of treatment for the issues at hand. It’s the lack of respect the doctors and nurses have toward patients. It’s the lack of proper sanitation within the hospital walls.

(San Fernando General Hospital)

Each administration that comes into government and fails to acknowledge these issues, fails the people. Every time a patient dies due to negligence, the government should be catapulted into action.

A healthy population is a productive population and this productivity will manifest in every other sphere in Trinidad. In urban centres, where population density is high, the chances for medical calamity are also high. If a contagious disease breaks out, the percentage of people that may contract it may skyrocket if preventative measures are not rapidly put into place. And what would be our position then? The health care system may very well collapse due to the volume of people. Do we need to wait for calamity to fix a problem that should not even exist? 

My story is only one of many experienced by the people of this country.  There are problems that need to be addressed, and quickly.

The San Fernando Teaching Hospital is meant to train doctors and absorb some of the excess from the San Fernando General Hospital. It is expected to open its doors in the coming months and help thousands of people. But, if we don’t pay attention, we’d end up in the same position that we are in right now. We need to take the opportunity to teach the doctors how to doctor while we have the chance. It’s not only about the number of medical terms you know and the number of patients that don’t die under your care. It’s about treating people in the right way at the right times to lessen pain and reduce undue stress on both parties. And from there, the health care system may start to turn right around and once again people will have faith in the system. 

Source: www.news.gov.tt

SAGA BWOY! SAGGY PANTS: STYLE OR STUPIDITY?

WELCOME TO THE URBAN LIFE, WHERE ZOO KEEPERS HAVE TO TELL US NOT TO BEHAVE LIKE MONKEYS

The urban space carries an identity of its own. Its dynamic form keeps us mesmerized. The various cultures trapped within its boarders stand alone and merge at at the same time, managing to retain its individual identity while engaging in hybridization. The people of the urban tend to be trend setters and invigor others to adapt, become 'up-to-date', look cool and fashionable.
From the urban powerhouses of the world we have inherited famous fashion designers who give us styles that makes us look and feel beautiful, powerful, fancy. From the urban streets, we have gained fashion that is practical in everyday uses while still remaining stylish. Then sometimes, we have a clash of fashion that makes you wonder how can anyone be comfortable and think that they look good in that. Need an example?

Source: tweentribune

Let's step into the world of "sagging".
Sagging, as defined by Wikipedia, is a manner of wearing trousers below the waist, revealing much of the underwear.
Whilst it is not a style confined to urban areas, its origins (outside the US prison system) is in the urban sphere. It is said that it is a rejection of the values of mainstream society. What values, one might ask? The value of "everyone not wanting to see your underwear"? The value of "disrespect to other persons using a public space"? And isn't it ironic that a style that was supposed to go against all that was mainstream turns out itself to be...mainstream.
Our celebrities, who exemplify what is urban in their mannerisms, way of dress and general lifestyles, seem to endorse such style, making it even more popular within wider society. They have to be careful of the examples they set.

 

Source: ew.com

Freedom of expression is welcome in any sphere of life. It's what makes a plural society. It gives definition to the urban city. It keeps us from being bland photocopies of each other. But, like everything else, there are limits. Not limits on creativity, but on the way this creativity is expressed in public places.

Urban spaces are a conglomeration of people from all walks of life, of all ages and from many different backgrounds. We must be ever conscious of this fact. 

Many things have been said about Trinidad and Tobago, a lot of them things which we should not be proud of. A common one is, "If America catches a cold, T&T sneezes." We imitate too many things here in our small island state. We are a melting pot of cultural ingenuity. We are a highly creative people. We have a style of our own. Yet, we choose to soak up, like a Sham-wow in a pool of water, the styles of urban America that they themselves are trying to rid. 

We have reach the point where this sagging pants style is a pandemic. Where the headline on a daily newspaper is the banning of the style.

Our boys and men seem to put all logic aside when they don their pants. The crotch rides so low that they must walk with their legs far apart. Every three steps are followed by a pull up by the waist band so that the pants don't slip right off. Other road, parks, sidewalks, buildings users are privy to the colour and style of men underwear. I have come to the conclusion that plaid is most popular and WearWolf is an up and coming brand in Trinidad among the male population. 

During the Carnival season, my eyes were accosted by as many underwear and bare bottoms as costumes. 

(Trinidad Carnival "Style"?)
[Disclaimer: NOT KEES!]

The urban place is the home of new and emerging cultural trends. The clothes we wear are an expression of our culture and what we represent. It can show a particular stance we take or something we believe in. I am all for expression through what is worn. What I cannot condone is clothes that do not only disrespect yourself but those around you too. I believe this is exactly what saggy pants do. Be mindful of those around you. Let's not change the meaning of a "SAGA BOY." 

The urban is the leaders of clothing trends. Let's lead in the right direction. 

"Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live."

-Gianni Versace

Sources:
http://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=7375&cpage=1
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-urban-clothing.htm
http://kevinbrown55.hubpages.com/hub/turn-my-swag-on
http://www.open.uwi.edu/sites/default/files/UWIOC%20Practicum%20Guidelines-%20Students.pdf
www.ew.com

PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL PROTECTION

WELCOME TO THE URBAN LIFE, WHERE YOU NEED A MAN'S PROTECTION IN GOD'S HOUSE

When we pray, I believe that we all ask God for two main things: forgiveness and protection. In these dark times we are living in, protection is most definitely at the top of our lists. No longer can we take strolls on afternoons alone to gather our thoughts. No longer can we walk with our purses strewn care-freely over our shoulders. No longer can we wear our jewelry on whim and fancy and travel to our destinations. No longer can we hop into any vehicle, PH especially, and pay no mind to the other passengers knowing with certainty that we are going to arrive home safely.
With the murder toll being 99 in 84 days in Trinidad and Tobago, we try our hardest to keep ourselves from being the next tragic statistic. The simple pleasures we once took for granted are now like rare, precious jewels.

Crime is a problem that plagues most urban populations. Anytime there is a high density of people in one area, especially living in poverty and places that lack urban planning and regulation and can be classified as sprawl, crime levels are high relative to the rest of the country.
In Trinidad, our most dense areas are also those classified as 'crime hot-spots'.

Masih and Masih (1996) rationalized that apart from socio-economic reasons, “increase in urbanization [initially] may lead to decrease in crime because of closer proximity of residents; [but] finally, with even further increase in urbanization, crime may rise because individuals may not identify whether they are engaged in a legal or illegal activity”.
This link is a short table giving explanations for patterns of crime in urban areas.

But, where is one place a person can go to feel safe and secure from a violent world? A place of worship, perhaps. Churches, temples, mosques are those places where we can join together with our fellowmen to rejoice in our respective Gods and forget the frightful situations that we live in everyday. These are places where we can say God resides and we feel protected and wrapped up in His arms. We pray for guidance and mercy for our bullet-riddled country. God is the supreme protector and in our worship places we are supposed to be safe.
We jump in our cars on a Sunday and drive through tall, concrete walls. We wave to the security guard manning the car-park. We push through big doors doubly protected by re-enforced  glass and burglar-proof. We put our phones on silent and put it with our wallets to the bottom of our purses, protected by the Bible, Koran, Bhagavad-Gita.
Welcome to church/mosque/temple!

(St. Peter's RC Parish, Pointe-a-Pierre)

At no point in time does it cross our minds that the same criminal elements that we pray against, we are expecting and preparing for.
Psalm 18:2 says "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety." Nowadays, we are building our own fortresses. We are fashioning our own shields. We are constructing our own places of safety.
We are building walls up instead of breaking down barriers. We are excluding those that most need the power of religion and the belief in an Almighty God. We are diving wholesale into an "Us vs Them" lifestyle.

But can we blame anybody for taking such drastic measures? Do we say that we have a faithless church? Or do we say that we have too many ruthless criminals to handle?
We have reached the point in our society where murders are happening in churches. Our traditional places of prayer and protection are being defiled by criminal elements. We need our places of worship to help fight the fight against crime but now the fights are happening within their very walls.
Some older folks argue that the religious culture that once permeated every nook and cranny of Trinidad and Tobago is now but a thin thread, fighting to remain intact. Churches are emptying faster than Government buildings at 4 pm. Evening sessions at mosques are seeing declines in attendance. Pundits are singing to empty seats. Crime is reaching it cold fingers into every sector of the society, shriveling it on touch.
This may be a general trend in all areas of the country but by far is most evident in our urban areas. Count the number of churches/temples/mosques in PoS and environs that are not there for history sake or not concerned with making a show in T&T. Ask your friends how many of them feel secure going to worship at late night meetings or open air crusades.
Who knows, maybe there is some sort of correlation between crime and religious exposure. Maybe if our churches don't close because of crime, crime will slow because of our churches. We can only wonder.

(Faith Centre, located in San Fernando)

If persons can no longer feel safe and secure to worship freely and without worry outside of their homes, the churches and mosques and temples will die with the many whose blood are being shed everyday.

Sources:
http://www.ttcrime.com/stats.php
http://www.ttcrime.com/crime-hot-spots.php
http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/42106/1/MPRA_paper_42106.pdf - Crime in Urban Areas: An Empirical Investigation by Erdal Gumus
http://www.sociology.org.uk/pblsdcr.pdf
Temporal Causality and the Dynamics of Different Categories of Crime and their Socio-Economic Determinants; Evidence from Australia - Masih and Masih (1996)
http://newsday.co.tt/news/0,172900.html

T&T's BREAKFAST: BREAD AND TRAFFIC JAM

WELCOME TO THE URBAN LIFE, WHERE THE FAST LIFE IS SURPRISINGLY...SLOW

Describe a typical commute to and from work.
Chances are it started in traffic, led you to the East-West Corridor and ended in traffic.

The E/W corridor, with the focus on the capital city PoS, is the jobs hub of the country. If you want a relatively good paying job, with not too ridiculous hours, enough places to kick back after work on a Friday and not in the Oil and Gas sector, then PoS is the place to be.
This is the wish of too many people. And too many people get their wishes coming true. So, everybody is heading into PoS and environs on a morning. And heading out in the afternoon. At the same time. Resulting in our "favorite" past-time in Trinidad.

This is not an issue isolated to Trinidad though. Even in our much slower sister isle, Tobago, the congestion problems are creeping up. Especially during peak periods like Easter, Carnival and Christmas. Let's zoom out more. The urban areas of the world, by large, are experiencing and fighting a failing battle at combating this vehicular traffic problem.

As the density of persons in and out of an area increases (place becomes more urban), the need for mobility also increases. The direction we have taken is motorization and diffusion of the automobile.
This has resulted in what we see everyday, traffic congestion coupled with parking problems. The demand for transport structures have not been met especially in PoS. This has caused space consumption problems and competition. Roadways have become parking spots, further adding to the traffic pile-up.
To add insult to injury, after you arrive in the city, your commuting time continue to escalate as the time it takes to find a parking spot and take up to 20 minutes.

But, can this pandemic be combated at all? PTSC buses run the length and breadth of Trinidad and Tobago. Most times, they enter and leave City Gate and other respective terminals half filled. Why? This is a measure implemented to discourage persons from coming into the urban areas with their personal vehicles. But it doesn't seem to be working well. Why? Some would argue that it's an uncomfortable ride during peak hours with overcrowding and noisy children. Then, during non-peak time, the schedules are most unpredictable. This adds to the growing discomfort of citizens and the use of public transport, forcing them to turn to their own cars. Therefore, the circle is completed and traffic woes grow.

Cars (and personal transport as a whole) are seen as a sign of status, besides their convenience. So, for the urban traffic problem to see any sort of resolution, the mindset of the people must change. Riding bicycles are seen as uncool and representative of the underprivileged.  The positive effects of bike sharing initiatives such as lower amounts of congestion within the urban space and improvements in air quality must be emphasizes. The "elite" must be encouraged to start to show the rest of the population that it's the "cool" thing to do. We all know we have a monkey see, monkey do culture in T&T and that seems to be the only way to start to get people to think in a certain way. 

Source: adsoftheworld.com

The traffic problem can begin to see a turn around if the population realize that cars aren't crutches and that their are alternatives. Our dependency on the automobile must decrease. Other public transport infrastructure must be upgraded however. Or possibly, the frequency and amount of buses in non-peak periods may increase if the demand for it provides the incentive. 

Signs that say to slow down have become redundant during peak times as there is no possible way to go any slower. 

Source: skyscrapercity.com

We must recognize our issue, come together and strive to make a difference. Let us put aside pride and "what people would think" mentalities and take the bus or make a bike share within urban areas a note-worthy and practical venture to undertake as a country. And possibly, our highways may look like this once again at all periods during the morning, afternoon, evening and night. 

Source: skyscrapercity.com

All in all, traffic congestion is problem alive and well in T&T and one which we must start to pay serious attention to. 

Sources:

http://www.newsday.co.tt/business/0,66452.html

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/caloi_bikes_traffic_jam

http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch6en/conc6en/ch6c4en.html - The Geography of Transport Systems - Urban Transport Problems by Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue 

http://www.ctr.kth.se/publications/ctr2000_03.pdf - The Traffic Safety Problem in Urban Areas by J. Archer & K. Vogel

skyscrapercity.com