Urbanisation
By Marjorie Henry, Contributor

Mona High School students moan the death of a student, on March 6, 2006. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

I prepared some multiple-choice items for you in the last lesson. These were intended to provide a quick review on population growth, the topic I have been focusing on for the past few weeks. Did you attempt all the questions? I trust you did. Now, check your answers.

1. C;
2. A;
3. A;
4. D;
5. B;
6. D;
7. C;
8. B;
9. D;
10. A;
11. B;
12. C;
13. A;
14. D.

As I continue to share with you on population and settlement, I would like to turn your attention now to specific objectives 3 and 4 under this topic in the syllabus. These are as follows:

3. Define urbanisation

4. Give reasons for urbanisation in the Caribbean.

In reference to the text, Geography - An Integrated Approach, by David Waugh, we are told that urbanisation is 'the process whereby an increasing proportion of the world's, a nation's or a region's population lives in urban areas.' In short, it is the continuing increase in the proportion of city dwellers.

From the objective stated above, we must now reflect on this process in the Caribbean. In an earlier lesson in which I had discussed migration, defining it and identifying the different types, I made mention of the different forms of internal migration. These, I stated, included rural to urban, urban to rural, urban to suburban and so on. I stated further, that the most dominant was rural to urban and that this type greatly influences the process of urbanisation.

Reference

In reference to the text, The Contemporary Caribbean, written by Robert B. Potter et al, we are informed that 'virtually every Caribbean country or territory has experienced migration of its rural population to urban centres, particularly its capital city. In 1960, for example, only 38 per cent of all West Indians lived in cities. By 1987, this proportion had increased to 54 per cent, and by the year 2000 had grown to 65 per cent.'

The text also highlights the fact that this increased movement of people into urban areas has led to rapid population growth, area expansion and uncontrolled sprawl in places like Kingston, in Jamaica; San Juan, in Puerto Rico; Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic; and Port of Spain, in Trinidad. We will discuss the benefits and problems of urbanisation later. For today, the focus is on the reasons for urbanisation.

The recommended texts inform us on the push-and-pull factors for the movement of people into the towns and cities. Often, in the Caribbean, there are problems that cause people to leave the rural areas. These are the push factors. On the other hand, people from the rural areas are attracted to the urban areas for several reasons. These are the pull factors. Let's first refer to the push factors.

Not enough jobs: In some rural areas in the Caribbean the rapid growth of population in recent decades has meant that there is a surplus work force in the countryside. The situation, therefore, arises where there are not enough jobs.

Landless peasants: Large families may outgrow the small plot of land that their parents and grandparents farmed and so be unable to continue their livelihood as farmers. Many farming families in the hills of Jamaica, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica have lost a large number of family members to the cities as they leave in search of jobs.

Failure in the agricultural sector: The removal of subsidies by the European Union from banana and other local crops has dealt a devastating blow to many banana farms, especially those of the Windward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. Farming was the main economic activity for many rural folk and they have been forced to leave their farms in search of opportunities in the city.

Mechanisation of farms: In Barbados and Jamaica, farmers now use combine harvesters on the sugar plantations. This reduces the number of cane cutters needed during harvest time. Sugar cane workers, both old and young, have had to look for an alternative livelihood in nearby towns.

Lack of services: People may also be pushed out of rural areas because of the lack of social services such as schools, hospitals and recreational facilities. Young people in particular tend to leave rural areas in search of a better life in the city.

Restricted social life: Young people in particular tend to miss the opportunities for entertainment if they live in the countryside.

In the next lesson, I will share with you information on the pull factors.

References: Principles of Geography For CXC by Norrel London et al
The Caribbean Environment for CXC Geography by Mark Wilson
Geography For CSEC by Jeanette Ottley et al

Marjorie Henry is a vice-principal at Glenmuir High School and is head of the Geography Department. She teaches the subject at the CSEC Level.