How Urbanization has Culturally and Historically Affected Entertainament in Port Of Spain.

In Trinidad and Tobago, entertainment has always been an area of interest. The talent of the people expressed through entertainment can be seen through the invention of the steel pan in the 1930s to what is currently known as the greatest show on earth, Carnival. A combination of rich culture and historical diversity has contributed to a range of entertainment hubs in the country’s Central Business District (CBD), Port- Of- Spain. The city has evolved into one which promotes a contemporary urban lifestyle. At the core of contemporary urban life, is entertainment.

List of entertainment hubs in Port-Of-Spain

• Mas Camp Pub
• Smokey and Bunty
• Movie Towne
• Zen
• Shakers
• Drink
• Fifty One Degrees
• Phase 11 Pan Groove
• The Avenue

Photograph showing Stumbling, Coco Lounge and Aria clubs located on the avenue.

In ancient times, there was little emphasis on developing the architecture of the city to facilitate entertainment. Entertainment in historical times consisted of, activities such as stick fighting which entailed Canboulay riots. There was no need for large recreational facilities. As time progressed however, the architecture of the city changed from one that was functional and balanced, meaning built merely for the purpose of protection or providing shelter to one that incorporates science and technology as well as individuality. The design of entertainment venues has been constructed to showcase a form of uniqueness as well as attract people. An example of this is Movie Towne. The design of the building is very original and attractive.


                     Photograph showing Various acts of entertainment which can be enjoyed within the city.
                                                         Quashie2015

 Individuality being express by choice  in this case outdoor dining, bar hoping, socializing or partying contribute to a contemporary urban lifestyle in which entertainment is at the core. It also allows us to focus on what makes a true ideal city as the author challenges us to examine in (Akkerman 2010).     

The development of Port-Of – Spain into an area that has a variety of entertainment avenues  also resulted from cultural integration and the spread of information in this new milenux. These characteristics are typical of rediscovered cities (Amin and Graham 1997).   Human aspects such as democracy, creativity and social justice have been expressed in the free atmosphere that entertainment allows.

Culturally, some aspects of entertainment have remained the same. For example, in the past, the playing of chest in the Woodford square area was common. Today, this is still seen throughout the day. The elderly population especially is observed engaging in a serious but friendly game of chest. Carnival traditions from the past remain the same today. People parade through the streets and express themselves by dancing and singing soca music. This was the tradition of the slaves. Although, the architecture of city has changed, the way of doing things remain constant. The houses from the past have been converted to ‘liming spots.’ This is seen along Ariapita Avenue Port- Of- Spain.

Over time, urbanization has led to a change in the cultural aspect of the city. There is a new urban way in which people entertain and like to be entertained. Some historical traditions have remained constant and old architecture modified to show a contemporary twist. However, as discussed in Mycoo 2006  there would always be constants of a city. 


References:

Akkerman, Abraham. 2010."Harmonies of Urban Design and Discords of City-form: Urban Aesthetics in the Rise of Western Civilization." Journal of Urban Design, 5:3, 267-290.

Amin and Stephen  Graham. 1997 . “ The Ordinary City. “  Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, New Series, Vol. 22, No. 4 (1997), pp. 411-429