The Creation of Community? Citizen Action, Social Movements, and the Portmore Toll Controversy

The building of a multi‐lane tolled highway linking the suburban communities of Portmore to the capital city of Kingston in Jamaica has become the focus of citizen action from residents who are concerned about the nature of the toll and the inadequacy of alternative routes. This article assesses the extent to which this activity represents a genuine social movement; analyses the complex and ongoing negotiations between citizens, the state and global capital over the transformation of the urban environment; and discusses the relevance of this issue for a broader understanding of development.