Urban life in the Caribbean: a study of a Haitian urban community

Laguerre, Michel S.

Book

Urban life in the Caribbean: a study of a Haitian urban community

Schenkman Pub. Co. • Cambridge, Mass. • Published In 1983 • Pages:

By: Laguerre, Michel S..

Abstract
This book, by a native Haitian scholar, presents an analysis of urban life in Haiti through a study of a downtown Port-au-Prince community called Upper Belair. Home to influential Voodoo practioners and a poor majority, this slum community is known in Haiti for its rebellious reputation. The author argues that the dynamics of life in this community reflects the dependence of the poor upon the local elite. A good portion of the book is devoted to discussing the many manifestations of this dependency. The author uses these information to argue that the Upper Belair community and the City are not isolated units. They are enmeshed in a world economy which perpetuates their backwardnesses through increasing dependency. Building on this local experience, the author also attributes the underdevelopment of Haiti to its structural dependency upon the outside world.

Cities

Chief executive

Social relationships and groups

Religious and educational structures

Territorial hierarchy

Settlement patterns

Refuse disposal and sanitary facilities

Streets and traffic

Retail marketing

Labor supply and employment

Sleeping

Standard of living