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| Tunapuna Plaza one of the many commercial outlets located across Trinidad's urban centers. |
No matter
which town or city you visit shopping remains one of the most important
activity of that area. Commerce in general dictates a large chunk of urban life
since it is the means by which people fulfill their wants and needs. Places like
the Tunapuna Plaza groups a variety of stores making it convenient for
consumers to come and buy. However, there is another side to the harmonious
relationship between the urban and its commodities.
As noted in
previous entries overconsumption has lead to several environmental impacts. Commerce
provides yet another means by which this trend can continue. The products
offered in these stores and retail outlets are largely imported. Raw materials
are being harnessed at unsustainable rates to produce the goods available. This
brings back the ideas of appropriating the carrying capacity and natural
capital mentioned by Rees (1992). Since we are importing our good from areas
outside the urban space, we a drawing their resources to fulfill our commercial
needs.
In addition,
commercial outlets such as the one depicted are one of the main reasons for the
abundant amount of waste produced by urban centers. Solid wastes such as
plastics are bought and discarded by the tonnes on a daily basis. As mentioned in
a previous post, Trinidad has allocated these materials into landfill sites,
which are quickly being filled.
On a minor
note, products, which are readily sold in these places, may not be environmentally
friendly. Chemical products and packaging also have their own effects
including, ozone depletion and ecosystem degradation.
So to be
brief, commerce in Trinidad has significant importance thus places like the
Tunapuna Plaza is prevalent in the urban hubs. However, they have promoted
overconsumption in these centers. As a result, of this and other factors the
environment has been subject to adverse effects.
References
Rees, William E. 1992."Ecological footprints and appropriated
carrying capacity: what urban economics leaves out." Environment and urbanization 4, no. 2.
I do agree with the notion that commercial activities dominate what urban culture is all about as it is a means by which persons are able to satisfy their needs and wants. Interesting view on the ways in which the commercialization process leads to over consumption. In my blog I only paid notice to the negative social aspects of commercial outlets in terms of over spending and loss of local heritage with the introduction of multinational corporations. I have taken note on the negative effects it has to the environment and not just to the business transactions and people in urban city centers and commercial zones to be exact. I do see the ways in which commercial outlets encourage the producers to compensate for the increase in consumption patterns in the urban areas.
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