Decentralization: Good or Bad?

                                                               (Picture Taken in Trincity)

As stated in the pervious blog the last two posts are focused on suggestions that are being employed to lessen the environmental and social unsustainability that may be occurring. This last post in that subject area is on decentralization. To properly understand decentralization one has to consider urban size and form. There has been much debate on whether there is an optimal city size to ensure sustainability and if an increase in city size is unsustainable (Hall and Barrett 2012). In addition, it is believed that the larger a city the more energy it uses and also that larger cities have more environmental problems such as pollution. To solve all those problems listed a lot of people have turned toward decentralization. Decentralization is a social process in which population and industry moves from urban centers to outlying districts in an attempt to reduce environmental and social unsustainability occurring in cities.

                                                          (Picture of Green Spaces Along With Homes in the TMV)

Decentralization allows for some cities to become less compact and cluttered. Some businesses, government offices and even industries are moved to other areas. There are a couple of benefits of decentralization. Decentralization can shorten commuting times since people will live close to their work place thereby reducing stress and fuel emissions. In addition, traffic will be reduced because people are travelling shorter distances and they are all not heading in the same directions, to the main business district because it would be broken up into parts. Also, it is more convenient for people if they live, work, enjoy themselves and get all their necessities in one place. This will ease stress of having to go far distances.  It may also decrease environmental degradation because businesses, industries etc can be located in other areas instead of using areas that can be dedicated to green spaces. In situations like those the businesses do not loose out because there are others established in the area so it will be a commercial district and also the environment benefits with the green spaces that would be available or the ecosystems that will not be disturbed.

However, some is of the opinion that large settlements may be more sustainable than smaller ones. According to Hall and Barrett, high population densities in large cities usually have low car usage and it is at low population density where the car usage is higher. This maybe because the large cities have mass transit systems and in the areas of low population the mass transit may not be very reliable or maybe not present on the whole. Also, large cities are supposed to have the political and managerial power to deal with environment problems. In addition, these cities facilitate the formation of technology that could lead us on the path of sustainability.

In Trinidad there are a few decentralization projects occurring throughout the country but the most popular one is probably the Trincity Millennium Vision. In this project are a few housing schemes for lower, middle and high incomes respectively, areas for offices, light manufacturing, entertainment, hotels and even health care facilities. Some of these businesses could relocate from the main urban centers or could be newly established. The main goal of this project was to create and area where people could live, work and play all in the same place without having to go very far. They attempted to create a community where cars were not the main form of transportation, people would be encouraged to walk or bike and interact with one another to really create a community of family. Another goal of this vision was to reduce traffic congestion, which as stated in the previous post is unsustainable to both the environment and society. They also created green spaces within the area to add to the aesthetic and be environmentally friendly even while gaining economically and one of the major green spaces was the golf course. This plan did not quite achieve all that it wanted from the beginning so some of the pieces are in place while others are still being worked on. But when it is completed I think it will definitely be a great place that will attract a lot of people. 

Both sides have been presented so now I will let you decide.....is decentralization good or bad?

References:

Hall and Barrett. 2012. Urban Geography. 4th Edition. London and New York: Routledge Publishing.