BACKGROUND TO THE PROBEM

Urbanization is the process by which large numbers of people become permanently

concentrated in relatively small areas, forming cities. Internal rural to urban migration means that
people move from rural areas to urban areas. In this process the number of people living in cities
increases compared with the number of people living in rural areas. Natural increase of
urbanization can occur if the natural population growth in the cities is higher than in the rural
areas. This scenario, however, rarely occurs. A country is considered to urbanized when over 50
per cent of its population live in the urban areas (Long 1998).
Urbaization can also present itself in the form of rural areas becoming more modern with
the introduction of large businesses into these rural areas. This phenomena is known as urban
sprawl which is basically another word for urbanization. It refers to the migration of a
population from populated towns and cities to low density residential development over more
and more rural land. The end result is the spreading of a city and its suburbs over more and more
rural land. In other words, urban sprawl is defined as low density residential and commercial
development on undeveloped land. Most of the time, people will move from these areas to try to
find better areas to live.
As of 2014 statistics show that 13.7 percent of the population in Trinidad and Tobago are
urbanized and the rate of urbanization 2.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
(Indexmundi.com 2015). These figures provides two measures of the degree of urbanization of a
population. The first, urban population, describes the percentage of the total population living in
urban areas, as defined by the country. The second, rate of urbanization, describes the projected
average rate of change of the size of the urban population over the given period of time.
Additionally, the World entry includes a list of the ten largest urban agglomerations. An urban
agglomeration is defined as comprising the city or town proper and also the suburban fringe or
thickly settled territory lying outside of, but adjacent to, the boundaries of the city
(Indexmundi.com 2015).

SETTING
As I enter the neighborhood or Tableland my attention is immediately caught by the sight of
a large four story glass building as the sunlight reflects off its surface. This is surprising to me as
I was under the impression that Tableland was a small countryside village. Upon my continued
surveying of the area I see a large Chinese restaurant across from a large grocery. Upon entering
the grocery I can see that the shelves are neatly packed with most of the products that can be
found in larger chain groceries such as massy stores. The lanes are spacious and visibly labelled,
as customers make their way around the grocery in comfort. There are two cashiers manning the
counters while there are multiple workers around the store either packing shelves or assisting
customers.
Leaving the grocery there is a steady stream of both vehicular and human traffic with many
people on their work or parents dropping children to the local primary school. Next to the
primary school where the police station is located activity can be observed as cars pull out to
regulate traffic and patrol the area. In this area there is another medium sized grocery and next to
it under a residents house is a parlor/mini-mart. The mini-mart is a sharp contrast to the
surrounding businesses as I very small and a bit worse for wear. As I enter I can see that the
business only carries the basic goods stacked haphazardly on the shelves. However there is a
steady stream of locals patronizing the business and stopping to socialize so the mini-mart seems
to be doing well even though there is completion from the larger businesses.
Upon enter the Local road trace in Tableland I see one house surrounded by lots of
undeveloped land. As I go further I see a large area of land that is neatly planted with a variety of
fruit trees, corn, peas and other crops. At the front of the land is a sign advertising the sale of
Tilapia and upon closer observation I spy a large pond nestled in the valley surrounded by a
fence.
After I pass the land there are many houses, most built in typical Caribbean style some two
stories and some flat. The houses are either wooden or concrete or a mixture of both. Many of
the houses are modest in nature and have reasonably sized yards. However among the modest
houses are few severely dilapidated houses and on the opposite end of the spectrum, large houses
with tall gates and guard dogs. At the next junction is the local Tableland cemetery with its rusted

fence and slightly overgrown surroundings. The graves do not seem to be placed in any
particular order.
Turning left at the junction there is a modest sized catholic church with a sign stating that it
was established in 1970. Around the church is a very well kept flower garden that seems to be
taken care of by an elderly woman. Continuing on I came upon the recreation grounds and
community center along with a few houses and a parlor then there is more undeveloped land.
Within the community itself it can be seen that there are no large businesses so there is a sharp
contrast between the development taking place at the main road and in the trace.

STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION

The Minister of Parliament for the area of Moruga/Tableland is The Honourable Clifton De
Coteau who is the Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development and affiliated with

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Long R. ( 1998 ). Urbanization Sociology. Encyclopedia Britannica Article.
2. http://www.csbs.utsa.edu/users/rlong/intro/urb.htm (25.10.2001)