1. Compiled and Presented by:
Dexter R. Williams

2. Urbanization is defined by the United Nations as
movement of people from rural to urban areas with
population growth equating to urban migration.
(www.wikipedia.org )

3.  Availability of White Collar Jobs
 Proper Infrastructure – roads, water, electricity,
etc.
 Availability of social facilities – health,
education, recreation, postal services and police
stations
 A wide Variety of Entertainment and Nightlife
facilities. (Modules in Social Studies 4th Ed., Rampersad Ramsawak &
Ralf Umraw, 2005, Printed in Trinidad)

4.  Scarcity of jobs except in agriculture which
most people consider to be low paying,
laborious, risky and menial.
 Lack of (or poor) infrastructure
 Poor social facilities – education, health and
security.
 Lack of Entertainment and Recreational
Facilities.

6. An examination of the Caribbean region will
reveal that there are high densities of
population in the cities and their suburbs such
as Port of Spain in Trinidad, Bridgetown in
Barbados, Kingstown in St. Vincent, Castries in
St. Lucia and New Kingston in Jamaica. (Modules in
Social Studies 4th Ed., Rampersad Ramsawak & Ralf Umraw, 2005, Printed
in Trinidad)

7. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1970 2005 2030
(projected)
Percentage
of the Total
Population
In Jamaica
Urban Population
Rural Population
By UN Human Settlement Programme

8. 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
1921 1943 1960 1970 1982 1991 2001
PercentageoftheTotal
Population
Kingston, St. Andrew,
(since 1970)Portmore
Data obtained from the Caribbean Environment, Mark
Wilson Page 116

9.  Shortage of housing facilities and development of
slums.
 Rising unemployment levels leading to poverty.
 Rising pollution levels – Land, Air, Water.
 Natural environment cleared for housing development.
 Pressure on social facilities due to overcrowding.
 Rise in crime rate, and deviant and criminal behaviours
 Traffic congestion
 Increase in pests and diseases due to unsanitary
conditions

10. Squatter
settlements in
Kingston, Jamaica
Civil
conflict
in
Kingston

11.  Skilled labourers leaving the area – teachers,
doctors, engineers.
 Government and private sector pays less attention
to the development of rural areas – infrastructure,
health, education, businesses and industries.
 Rural areas remain undeveloped.

12. FIX UP THE SLUMS
 Restructure the slums & ghettoes into
organized, low income housing schemes.
Linear settlement; frequent garbage collection
and frequent street and drain cleaning
 Build high rise buildings, which accommodates
more residents using less land space.
 Attract new industries to these suburbs by
marketing them as ‘brown field sites’.

13. ENGAGE THE COMMUNITIES
 On going social work: sensitizing about
environmentally friendly practices, family life,
education, work ethics, etc.
 Increase community policing.
 Skills and Entrepreneurship training.

14. FIX UP THE TOWN
 Enlarge schools, hospitals, post offices, police
stations.
 Build high rise car park buildings to accommodate
plenty vehicles, while using less land space.
 The improvement of public transportation –
decreasing the high volumes of traffic on the
roads.

15. [An integrated approach must be taken in
encouraging persons to reside in rural Jamaica.]
 Solving Rural Problems
 Educating the citizens about the issue of
urbanization and the benefits of living in the rural
area.

16.  Improvement of rural infrastructure – roads, water
supply, telecommunications, electricity, internet.
 Providing new and improving the social facilities
in rural areas – health, entertainment .
 Assisting farmers to improve production by
providing loans, fertilizers, seeds etc.
 Promote rural areas as ‘green field sites’ thus
attracting industries, recreation and town
development.

17.  Educate rural residents that there are many similar
problems in the urban areas just the same.
For example:
Urban-Rural Differences in St. Lucia
Urban Rural
Unemployment 19% 19%
Has been crime
victim
8% 4%
Percentage of population in each area, 2004
Data obtained from the Caribbean Environment, Mark
Wilson Page 114

18. Advantages of rural life:
 More peaceful
 Less risk of crime and disorder
 More spacious living conditions
 Rental and living costs lower
 Familiar surroundings, with family and old friends
 Less pollution
 Even without a job, food and shelter are available
( the Caribbean Environment, Mark Wilson Page 115)

19. Any Questions?
THANK YOU