Housing and residential segregation from the "Hill"

Anaparima- the Amerindian name given to San Fernando Hill by the Warao Indians said to have mystical powers and was used as a place of worship.  Don Jose Maria Chacon called the town surrounding the hill San Fernando de Naparima. Over the years San Fernando was developed from a simple town to the second   city of our twin island nation.  In this blog, i would like to highlight the residential patterns found in the area.

Michael  Pacione (2005) in Urban Geography a Global Perspective 2nd Ed. identifies housing as the largest user of space within the city which "exerts a profound influence of the structure of metropolitian regions...." (pg 274)  The development of the city started off historically along the water front and consisted of segregated residential areas for residents of the area.  As the town evolved and oil was found, housing was created for those of the higher echelon of TEXACO (St Joseph Village) as well as some of its workers - the housing areas of Mon Repos and Pleasantvile (old area) was developed.  Squatting was not a new phenomena and people migrated to Pleasantville, Cocoyea and Mon Repos clearing away wild guava and brush to develop little squatting settlements (History of Pleasantville by Cynthia Valerie Patrick submitted to UTT for partial fulfillment of BEd. Programme in Social Sciences).  To regularize this problem while  providing much needed housing NHA (National Housing Authority now HDC) homes were built and distributed.  However the enclaves of St Joseph Village, Sumad Gardens and Circular Road (to the yatch club) became known for a particular niche household - the affluent white class.

St Joseph Village from the Hill

Sumad Gardens from the Hill

To St Jospeh Village and the outskirts of Mon Repos/ Royal Road from the Hill

Olera Hights and Vistabella from the Hill

It would be great o further study the pattern of residential spaces around the City and San Fernando and be able to create a model specific to the city.  Maybe this will be my GEOG3001 project!