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

  

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

Urbanisation is the movement of persons from rural to urban areas. The City of Port of Spain and environs can be considered the most densely populated comprising of 10% of the country’s total land area while accommodating 45% of the total population (Mycoo ). This creates a major problem within this developing country where there is a vast economic divide between the rich in society and the poor. 

Urbanization has changed historical aspects of housing within Port of Spain this can be seen in a comparison between past and the present urban models model. Within the Burgess or Concentric model the city could be seen as radial bands moving away from the central business district (CBD) and extending to the recidential which was placed at the outermost regions. This simple model came into great critisism as it did not take into consideration landforms such as hills. 

The city of Port of Spain however falls into the past Burgess model but in fact can be compared to that of Hoyte's which is an improvement on the concentric model of Burgess. Within this model the most desirable land for housing is used by the upper class within society. These are areas which receive fresh breeze, is located at a close distance to the CBD, contains parks, various outdoor amenities and are located in safe areas crime less areas. These lands are very expensive an can only be accessed by a small majority of the population. The lower class in society are opposite to this they are located in bad lands such as on hills, has little to no outdoor amenities, and are highly polluted areas. 

Diagram of Hoyt Urban Model 

Within the city the more affluent and middle classes live within the west whereas the middle-middle and lower-middle classes live in the east this is because much of the city's crime is found in the east while much of the best land within a city is found in the west (Mycoo 2006). Forming gated communities such as One Woodbook as illustrated in the photograph below. This is in comparison with Luiz and Lara 2011 which used Brazil as an example of how upper class persons are moving towards gated communities in developing countries.

Photograph showing the gated community of One Woodbrook

As urbanization has increased in Port of Spain the greatness in the economic divide which can easily be seen looking at housing or where persons call home is increasingly evident. Housing settlements such as Beetham Gardens and Sealots which is located metres away from a landfill is become more and more deplorable. As photograh shows the deplorable conditions in which persons in Sealots endure, little to no utilities, poor structural houses and little to no road linking these areas.  Places such as laventile is quickly becoming more and more densely populated as in comparison to the gated communities of One Woodbrook.

Photograph 3 showing the deplorable conditions which persons in Sea lots call home.

The last aspect of housing that is  caused by urbanization is that of vagrants this is a major problem within the city and highlights the lack of available housing within the city. Leading to persons to find alternative housing in parks, squares and along the sidewalks of Port of Spain. This causes an additional problem to city such as pollution uncleanliness and crime. This is illustrated within photograph 2 where a homeless man is seen asleep within the city.

Photograph 2 showing homelessness within Port of Spain
Quashie 2015

Housing can be used to describe a way of  life within a city as it gives a direct indication of the cultural aspect. Culture as we know it is a way of life and housing directly affects this way affecting the standard of life in which persons obtain. According to Article 25 of the Declaration of Human Right which states that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and of his family. 

The historical aspect of housing has changed due to urbanization slowly the olden Victorian type houses are being removed and in there place new more modern houses are being built. This is seen in Victoria square where only a few remnants of these type of houses remain through the process of Gentrification where much of these houses have been removed.

'


References
1. Mycoo, Michelle 2006, "The retreat of the upper and middle classes to gated communities in the post structural adjustment era: the case of Trinidad" Environment and Planning A 2006, volume 38, pages 131-148

2.  Lara Luiz Fernando 2011. New (Sub)Urbanism and Old Inequalities in Brazilian Gated Communities, Journal of Urban Design, 16:03, 369-380

3. International Council on Human Rights.  Article 25- Universal Declaration of Human Rights Accessed on 5th April 2015 

http://www.ichrp.org/en/article_25_udhr 

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

 From inception,the first capital of Trinidad  and Tobago was St. Joseph. In 1595 Sir Walter Raleigh destroyed this city allowing for the relocation of the main capital to Harbor of Spain later known as Port of Spain. This was done as it was not profitable to rebuild the capital in its existing position, away from a port.
Initially there were 3 shops located along Calle-de- Infante( Duncan) and Calle Principe (Nelson). The main professions of the Amerindians who lived there were fishermen, hunters and small farmers of cassava, corn and sugar cane made into Pampelona ( Brown Sugar). The city began to develop in terms of trade and commerce when Rio Sante Anne ( Dry River) was channeled to its present course and the general area of town expanded from Charlotte to Duke Street.

This image shows an older view of  Frederick Street 

which was seen as the main shopping area 

In today's society, trade has changed to cope with the increase in consumption rates associated with the contemporary urban life. A characteristic of the urban life is that their is an increase in wants which can be easily satisfied as people can afford. This has contributed to over consumption of resources in large quantities. Hence, in the past Port Of Spain had only three shops. Now the streets are saturated with businesses. Buildings have started to take the appearance of skyscrapers to facilitate spaces for rent.

The main Parliament  buildings, The Red House, bank and places of high importance are concentrated in close proximity of each other in the central business district. This can be defined as the commuters zone. Burgess's model can be applied to Port Of Spain. The zone of transition, workers, higher class and commuter's zone can be identified in the city.  The commuters' zone influences cost of products and services. This zone sets the level of competition thereby controlling purchasing power. 

References:

About Education. 2015."Key Models in Urban Geography Presict and Explain Land-Use." Accessed on April 10,2015. http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/Urban-Geography-Models.htm

Besson, Gerrad. 2011  "The Caribbean History Of Archives." Paria Publishing CO LTD Blog spot. August 12. http://caribbeanhistoryarchives.blogspot.com/2011/08/port-of-spains-early-city-life.html

Urbanization of Port-Of- Spain: Historical and Cultural Impacts.

1. Introduction to Urbanization in Port of Spain 

Urbanization refers to the increasing shift of persons from rural  to developed areas (BBC 2014). It predominantly results in the physical growth of  areas, be it horizontal or vertical (Hogan 2014). Urbanization may be influenced by, economy, demography,  technology, politics, society culture and the environment. Culture can be defined as, " The beliefs, customs, arts of a particular society." (Webster 2014). History refers to the study of past events (Webster 2014). This blog aims at discussing the effects of urbanization on the historical and cultural aspects of the Central Business District (CBD), Port- Of – Spain.

The history of cities began with Sjoberg's Model. During the pre industrial era all cities were classified as the same. The center of the city was always the Central Business District (CBD). The head of the governments were located there and it was the residence of the elite in society as seen in the diagram below. Over time, there is similarities in that the main government buildings, high class venues and major buildings of commerce are still located in the center of the CBD. However, the major difference is that the elites no longer live in this area.

Diagram Of Sjoberg's Pre Industrial Model
(Sjoberg 1960)

Port- Of-Spain is the capital of the Trinidad and Tobago. It has an estimated population of 49,657 (google map data 2015) ,contributing to its rapid rate of urban growth. Common to many urban centers and evident in the photos blogged, sites of historical and cultural value can be displayed all over this rapidly expanding city. This increasing space has also had an impact on the city both culturally and historically.

Urbanisation is dynamic. The  photo above shows:

• Left: Newly constructed government buildings .
• Top Right: The Red House currently under construction.
• Bottom Right: The Cathedral.

This photo indicates that as time passes the rate of urbanization also expands. This is in accordance with  Mumford's reading that the city expands as time expands and that urbanization is not static. The Red House when compared with the new government building is an example of this. This old historic site (The Red House) is also under construction to be a more modern building. The Cathedral is indicative of culture being maintained despite rapid urban changes.

References:

BBC 2014. Geography Urbanisation in MEDCs. Accessed April 5,  2015.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/urban_environments/urbanisation_medcs_rev1.shtml

Sjoberg, Gidden.1960. "The Pre Industrial City." New York Time Press

Google Maps 2015. "Maps Lab." Accessed April 4, 2015
https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces?ctz=-120&t=h&z=17&dg=feature

"Merriem Webster," 2015. Accessed, April 7, 2015. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transport.