Beyond point-in-time: an analysis of the spatial–temporal distribution of street-dwellers in Port of Spain

Abstract

ABSTRACT Street-dwelling is a common occurrence among the homeless population in Port of Spain. For street-dwellers, the city is a place where they can fulfil their basic survival needs, but it can also be a place where they experience socio-spatial injustice. Previous studies have already concluded this type of homelessness as unhealthy, unsafe, and usually attracts punitive responses aimed at restricting the presence of homeless people in public spaces. The spatial distribution of street-dwellers in the city was investigated by mapping their GPS coordinates for nine (9) non-consecutive days in a single month. The data collection period was divided into three (3) study periods and this allowed for a systematic analysis of the spatial–temporal distribution of the N=481 coordinates. Results demonstrated that their spatial distribution varied according to the study period: “Early Week”, “Late Week”, and “Sundays”. Likewise, an analysis of field observations points to selected features in the social and built environment and its combined likelihood to accommodate the basic needs of street-dwellers influenced their level of spatiality in different spaces within the study site. These findings can be used to advise on socio-spatial conflicts, highlight possible vulnerable spaces, and provide a characterization of survival spaces for street-dwellers.