Kingston, Jamaica

Kingston Jamaica: Urban Development and Social Change 1692-2002, presents a cross –sectional approach to the social and economic development of one of the most vibrant cities in the Caribbean. This new edition of Colin Clarke’s path-breaking book extends the examination and analysis of Kingston’s social and economic development from the end of the colonial period, thus making it one of the few studies of any British Caribbean city for the entire colonial period and beyond. Professor Clarke not only reflects on his original field work of forty-five years earlier and evaluates the existing text in relation to changing social theory in the intervening years, but also introduces the reader to the process of decolonization and its implications for urbanization, economic development and social change. Particular attention is given to the development of Portmore and to the incorporation of Spanish Town into the Kingston Metropolitan Region. He also examines the social and spatial structure of Kingston since 1962, focusing on urban decentralization, the development of uptown and downtown and the shift towards greater class entrenchment under the impact of structural adjustment. An outstanding feature of the book is the extensive use of cartography to express both the social and spatial development changing land use; changing land use; changing distribution and density of population; migration; employment; house tenure; the uptown/downtown division and the relationship between class, family structure, religion, education and race/colour are only some of the features that are graphically illustrated and anaylsed with the aid of over 100 maps, 50 photographs and some 40 tables. In its treatment of the social spatial structure over time, Kingston Jamaica: Urban Development and Social Change 1692-2002, is unparalleled among studies of cities in non-advanced capitalist countries.