By Donald Morgan, ContributorTHE COMMERCIAL and industrial invasion of residential communities by individuals with different commercial interests is a major social, health and environmental problem throughout many areas of Jamaica. There are too many families who have been forced out of their homes or forced to live under unhealthy, social and environmental conditions by individuals who ignore zoning laws and building codes for their own selfish commercial and business interests.
The problem is much worse in Kingston and lower St. Andrew where it has become increasingly difficult to find adequate housing accommodation that is free from industrial and commercial pollution, noise, crime and violence which follows the social disorganisation of these residential communities.
CLEAR BOUNDARIES
There was a time when there were clear boundaries between residential and commercial properties which were enforced by zoning laws. For some time now, the KSAC has either been impotent or reluctant to enforce the laws. In some areas the entire residential communities are integrated and surrounded with junk yards; marl, sand, oil and cement mixture with heavy-duty equipment buzzing with loud noise; used car marts; hardware and lumber yards; car repair garages; mom-and-pop shops and other sundry types of commercial businesses some of which are protected by unsightly cinder block walls, topped with razor-sharp prison-type barbed wire and unsightly billboards dotting the landscape.
As these communities become disorganised and anomic, they become the mecca for criminal gangs and other unlawful activities. While some of the middle upper class people have been able to escape to the hills of St. Andrew, lower middle class, poor people and retirees on fixed income have been trapped and forced to live with the daily noise pollution, social disorganisation, crime and violence. In one particular community, residents complain that they are unable to use their phones or listen to their radio/TV because of the heavy-duty commercial vehicles traversing up and down the streets, and the noise from the industrial machines which have invaded their communities.
Some concrete examples of these communities that have experienced this commercial and industrial invasion are Eastwood Park which was one of the finest in lower St. Andrew, the communities on either side of Dunrobin Avenue-Lindsay Ter-race/Crescent; Washington Boulevard, upper Constant Spring Road, lower Red Hills Road, Vineyard Town, upper Mountain View Avenue and Old Hope Road. Not far from Jamaica House many of the lovely residences have been converted into offices, and commercial enterprises.
PRIME RESIDENTIAL AREAS
All these were once prime residential areas and were beautifully maintained by their owners. No one knows when or where this commercial and industrial madness will end, but we know that the health, social, and environmental consequences are enormous. Already some of these areas are experiencing an alarming rate of lead poisoning.
The residents of some of these communities have been complaining to the KSAC and their MPs for a long time without any redress. It is time for the KSAC and the Central Government to reclaim some of these lands for strictly residential purposes and regulate and enforce the zoning laws. Steps should be taken to regulate and create commercial and industrial parks where certain businesses with potential health hazards are not located close to residential areas. There should be laws against residential 'blockbusting' whereby a person with commercial interest buys a house in a residential area, converts it into a commercial business. The neighbours become upset because of the nature of the business and the type of clientele it attracts. Some residents become disgusted and relocate while other business interest move in.
PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
If immediate corrective actions are not taken by the KSAC and the Central Government, the capital city of Kingston and lower St. Andrew will give the appearance of a decaying urban megalopolis where there is no regard for societal norms. The KSAC needs to monitor more closely the changes and developments which are taking place in these designated residential areas.
A greater level of interest and protest is needed to persuade government to enact, regulate and strictly enforce the laws. This subject should encourage and invite other concerned citizens to express their views on what is now a serious social problem.
Donald G. Morgan is a retired Professor of Sociology.
