Perspectives Of Urban Geography

“When one goes out into the world, one is shedding preconceptions of past paths and ideas of past paths, and trying to move freely through an unsubstantiated and new geography.” ― Jesse Ball, The Way Through Doors

As the Urban Geography class of 2013 has come to its end, the blogs from all of my classmates reflect a multitude of images, perceptions and experiences of the city, particularly in Trinidad. 

Like an online diary, each blog represents the opinion of of the writer on issues they deem compelling, or in some cases required. 

Image taken from www.theblogmaven.com

At the beginning of this endeavor, I was unable to decide on any single aspect of urban geography from which I would be inspired to blog about in a distinct way that was unique to me. I believe my theme of urban perceptions and the title, 'A Journey Into The Urban,' epitomizes the direction that was taken for the entire blog. My aim of each post was essentially to analyse different aspects of the city in a way that is overlooked by the masses in an attempt to alter the many preconceived notions individuals may form about a particular place, building or setting. It is only through a journey into the urban that I could have observed, within the system, a particular facet of the city to remark upon and thus find my own voice in producing an account of the experience through the images, and what I was able to conclude from them. 

“In the land where excellence is commended, not envied, where weakness is aided, not mocked, there is no question as to how its inhabitants are all superhuman.” ― Criss Jami, Venus in Arms

Put into a nutshell, this quote remarkably explains the nature of the class and on reading through the blogs of my fellow classmates during the semester, it certainly was outstanding to discover the way the thoughts of my peers unravelled as they conceptualized each of their pictures. 

I most enjoyed 'The Hustle and Bustle of Urban Life' throughout the semester. Arielle's charismatic writing style from the start made her long but exciting posts an easy and entertaining read. Her creativity in sticking to the theme and her passion in not only dealing with the interplay of activities within the urban system but also the critical analysis of it is certainly noteworthy. Do check it out at this address: http://myfasturbanlife.blogspot.com 

I was also captivated by the theme in 'The Dark Side of Urbanisation' from its inception. Most of the population fails to see the aspects of the city from which they are blinded, by delusions of prestige or as a result of pro-urban myths of the city as civilized, exciting and managed. Khadija's blog focusses on the negativities that exist and are generated in particular urban spaces. Homelessness, overcrowding and environmental degradation are some of the issues specifically highlighted in the blog that are very often overlooked with regard to the urban system. You can find Khadija's blog at this address: http://negativeurbanisation.blogspot.com

As my opinion of the urban setting in Trinidad as a whole is certainly somewhat tainted by my experiences and, of course, by society, I urge my reader to also pore over this blog: http://urbanguru01.blogspot.com which was written by a Bajan classmate. As Ryan sought to explore 'Urban Spaces: Change and Process', particularly in the northern region of Trinidad, he unquestionably regards issues in a different light than as captured in my blog. 

Although our journey through the course ends with this blog, our exploration of urban geography is certainly only beginning as we have each developed a new understanding of cities that is our own.

Images of the City: Tarouba Stadium

“With their power tools, portable generators, weapons, four-wheel-drive vehicles, and personal computers, they are like beavers hyped up on crystal meth, manic engineers without a blueprint, chewing through the wilderness, building things and abandoning them, altering the flow of mighty rivers and then moving on because the place ain't what it used to be. ... But as long as you have that four-wheel-drive vehicle and can keep driving north, you can sustain it, keep moving just quickly enough to stay one step ahead of your own waste stream.” ― Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash

It is a known fact that the majority of our knowledge and perception of cities more likely comes from representations rather than direct experience. Hence, the image of the city is highly influential on the impressions of people.  Any visitor of the country over the past seven years seeking to venture into the city of San Fernando, just before the highway turn-off at Tarouba they are greeted by this marvellous masterpiece that is the Brian Lara Stadium.

(No, that is not an error. That is the image I meant to put there).

The stadium was expected to be completed since 2007 and serve as T&T’s showpiece for the 2007 ICC World Cup. Some media reports claim that the arena is the subject of various legal actions between the Government and the contractor as a result of the many infrastructural defects in the construction of the $1 billion Brian Lara stadium which is yet to be officially handed over to the Government.

This is a country in which state-owned buildings, constructed at great cost, are regularly abandoned and left to fall into disrepair, becoming resting places for vagrants and pigeons.

As I perused the San Fernando Development Plan 2010 in all its merits and failures, imagine my surprise when I found the ‘plan’ for not only this structure but for the proposed complex.

Image taken from www.skyscrapercity.com

Behold the Brian Lara Stadium which stands on 180 acres of land, designed by US architectural firm Hellmuth, Obalat & Kassabum, to consist of an aquatic centre, an Olympic-size cycling velodrome and an indoor gymnasium. The anticipated Brian Lara Stadium and Cricket Academy will serve as a training facility for cricketers featuring four indoor cricket training pitches with computerized biometric technology to measure each athlete’s performance, including two full-length run-up pitches for fast-bowlers. The plan for the stadium also boasts of patrons having an unhindered view from every area of the facility with even specifically designed areas for the media. It goes even further in its proposals to declare that the complex may also see the addition of a hotel in the future!

“Struggles over the ways in which urban places are represented are a form of cultural politics, conflicts, often involving unequal power relations, around issues such as the supposed image or identity of places and rights to define these.” – Tim Hall and Heather Barrett, Urban Geography

Despite its initial purpose of promoting pro-urban myths of the city as exciting, cultural and diverse, the fact is that this is another facility that stands empty, even as the citizens of San Fernando and environs continue to search for spaces where their sporting skills can be honed and developed.

With the current sporting facilities in the south, such as Skinner Park, Guaracara Park and the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, in need of upgrading and burdened by accommodation and infrastructure issues, the need for the Tarouba stadium should be obvious—even if the facility needs to be refocused to accommodate additional sporting disciplines.

The Cross: Creating A Social Environment

“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.”-Vincent van Gogh

After the arduous endeavor to survive the week, whether it be due to obligations at work or school, we all greatly anticipate the freedom that accompanies the weekend. Friday and Saturday nights come alive like no other with (mostly) the young, wild and free party-people. 

In keeping pace with the high food consumption patterns of younger generations many fast food outlets are popping up to service the cooking-challenged and the 'work hard play hard' populace.

Now known as 'The Cross', the urban space pictured above is always stirring with activity on Fridays and Saturdays from nightfall to the wee hours before sunrise. Numerous food stalls line a side street which runs parallel to the Rienzi Kirton Highway and is the main source of attraction for party-goers and even just the late night munchers. Some may drop in to pick up a quick corn soup, burger or any of the other comestibles on sale before heading back to their party or home. For others, The Cross is a place for socialization: to park vehicles, blast music and enjoy a quick meal in the company of friends and strangers. Some nights bystanders may even be entertained by a quick 'drag-race' along the highway stretch as The Cross was once a notorious site for illegal street racing. 

Photo taken from www.fastclassics.co.uk

But of course, The Cross was not always this way.These small food vending stalls were originally stationed along the street to the front of Gulf City Mall, serving the same purpose and was more easily accessible to late night limers of the clubs that were once tenants at the mall. Late night disturbances to the Gulf View residential area influenced the relocation of the vending stalls by the San Fernando City Corporation, and 'The Cross' was born.

“But that's the whole aim of civilization: to make everything a source of enjoyment.” ― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Here a range of social worlds collide and it is an exceptional example of an urban space where the three presences, as stated by Hall and Barrett (2012), that are at work in the public realms of cities are clearly represented. That is, an arena for the inscription of authority and regulation (as vendors pay the City Corporation fees for using the plot they are allocated and are under regulations of such regard), where there is an intersection of multiple rhythms of life, and it is a site of resistance, revolution and ceaseless transformation.

REFERENCES:
Hall, Tim and Heather Barrett. 2012. Urban Geography. 4th ed. London and New York, Routledge Publishing. 248-253

San Fernando: Planning Urban Growth

“The psuedoscience of planning seems almost neurotic in its determination to imitate empiric failure and ignore empiric success.” ― Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities

San Fernando is striking and distinct in character, bound by the Guaracara River to the north, by the Oropouche River to the south, to the east by the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway, and the west by the Gulf of Paria, and acknowledged by its significant landmark, the San Fernando Hill.

A fusion of winding and straight streets is spread across the irregular topography of the core and extends to the 21 surrounding communities. As a result of a prosperous economy in the last few decades there has been unorganized growth and sprawl endemic in the peripheral areas of the city.

The establishment of sugar plantations in 1783 on the Naparima Plains surrounding San Fernando fostered growth of the area as a gateway to the activities of sugar cane and cacao cultivation and the petroleum industry.

Driving around on a Saturday morning doing my mother's bidding, I came across this remarkable scene of the southern stretch of San Fernando with the streets and the houses all bustling with life under the hot sun. The structures closer in range were relatively new and residential compared to the older and worn buildings of the core as shown in a previous post. 

“The most significant aspect of land use in Metropolitan San Fernando is the absence of use for most of the former sugar cane growing land.” ― quoted from The San Fernando Spatial Development Plan 2010

Land use planning in Trinidad and Tobago is governed under the Town and Country Planning Division. Their main purpose seems to be finding more prime agricultural land formerly used for sugar cane cultivation to build more and more housing developments. The table below, adapted from The San Fernando Spatial Development Plan 2010, shows a list of residential developments in the vicinity of the city.

These were all constructed on prime agricultural land yet, one of the specific goals of this development plan is to preserve good agricultural land?? Furthermore, a decline of agriculture is listed as a major constraint to the goals of the plan. .. well OBVIOUSLY!

Below are pictures of the Corinth and Tarouba developments respectively, as captured from opposite sides of the Tarouba Link Road.

Of course, these developments undoubtedly increase the population of the city, and as stated by Jane Jacobs, imitates the empirical failure of creating communities, since each development is now troubled by some unforeseen issue which has arisen.

Specifically, residents of the Housing Development Corporation in Tarouba complain of a major housing defect that causes flooding stating that the houses feature a poorly constructed gallery which allows the insides of the houses to become flooded when rain falls. Also, the residents are not allowed to fix the issue as they are forced to undo the repairs by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) who tells them that they are not allowed to change the design of the building in any way or form. 

The primary focus of urban planning is managing the growth and expansion of cities and mitigating the urban social and environmental problems associated with rapid population growth (Hall and Barrett, 2012). However, in the case if these housing developments, urban planning is creating the particular problems it sought to prevent.

Further reading I thought interesting and pertains to this topic of urban planning:
Wendell Cox's 'The Beauty of Urban Planning from the Ground'

REFERENCES

• Growth, innovation, scaling, and the pace of life in cities
• San Fernando Final Draft Spatial Development Plan 2010
• Hall, Tim and Heather Barrett. 2012. Urban Geography. 4th ed. London and New York, Routledge Publishing. 129

Globalisation: Cultural Erasure Even In Architecture?

“The greatest products of architecture are less the works of individuals than of society; rather the offspring of a nation's effort, than the inspired flash of a man of genius...” ― Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

When a certain element of iconic architecture is noted in a another structure, it may lose its own sense of place as the association which links both designs can either diminish or encourage interest in the more contemporary building.

In a recent lesson on architecture and urban geography, I was exposed to many images of iconic architecture, some new and some familiar. The designs in pictures I saw that day were strikingly similar to certain structures in this country.

An example of this, which I noticed on a compulsory journey along the Eastern Main Road, is the similarity in the design of the Guardian Life building in St. Augustine to the iconic architecture of Chinese history, as shown in the image below of the Forbidden City, Beijing.

Image on the right taken from www.thingstodo.viator.com

Another example of an association already made by many, is the likeness of the National Academy of the Performing Arts (NAPA) with the Sydney Opera House, as shown below.

Image on the left taken from www.amanderings.wordpress.com/tag/sydney-opera-house/ and photo on the right was taken from www.versatilestudiostt.com/gallery/napa

If the claim is true that "landmark buildings are often key markers of a city's identity," (Hall and Barrett 2012) then, in the case of NAPA and all the 'modern' skyscrapers which are now landmark buildings of the capital, where is Port-of-Spain's identity in all of this?

Hall and Barrett also continue to explain that there has been an increasing interest in promoting spectacular architecture for urban development schemes with an aim to enhance the city's image in an increasingly competitive global urban network. 

Image taken from www.flickr.com/photos/joshy55013/5175587599

Are we losing control over our sense of identity? Or are we developing ourselves to be masters of a postmodern global culture?

Furthermore, it seems that it does not matter whether the proposed building fulfils a demand, as most of these buildings are largely unoccupied. So, its sole purpose is then to contribute to the design of the city. 

“The transformation of cities all round the world in the last half century is [as a result of] the transnational capitalist class mobilizing their allies in architecture and real estate development to create globalizing cities, increasingly marked and marketed through their iconic buildings and spaces.” – Leslie Sklair, Iconic Architecture in Globalizing Cities

In the case of Expo 2010 Shanghai, some of the world’s most amazing architectural wonders were displayed as 239 pavilions were built and hosted by nations from across the globe. The expo was a celebration of the world’s cultures in a peaceful, communal spirit and a representation of the ambitions of individual nations as well as a collective vision for cities in the new millennium. Showcasing a full spectrum of cutting-edge technology, building materials and design sensibilities (click here to see all the pavilions) it clear that most countries have already adopted a cultural signature of their own in their architectural designs, no doubt all in an attempt to market their nation's 'otherness'.

Image taken from www.kaggregate.com

The tremendous success of this world expo, with a record attendance of over 73 million people, is the result of the great architectural products on display, each an offspring of a nation's efforts thus creating such a spectacle. 

The urban authorities of this country, in the attempt to promote the capital's image through the construction of skyscrapers along the waterfront, should rethink this strategy and instead encourage and promote design elements that the nation can be identified with, which will declare and enhance a distinct identity. 

A Population Affected by Transit Issues

“You are not stuck in traffic. You ARE traffic.” ― TomTom SATNAV Advertisement

Transport is a vital link that brings people and goods together. We rely on it to get to work and for educational, social and recreational activities but the concentration of commercial activities in a relatively small and compact space causes congestion in the urban area. 

Traffic congestion in the CBDs of San Fernando and POS stem from the lack of available parking spaces and high volumes of pedestrian traffic. Double parking along streets which brings traffic to a crawl or complete standstill in certain areas further exacerbates the problem. 
In Trinidad today, purchasing a vehicle is considered a sign of upward social mobility. This, coupled with the flawed regulations of the foreign-used car trade and the perception of the inferiority of public transport, has resulted in a drastic increase in the number of vehicles in the country over the past few years. The worsening problem of traffic congestion on the nation's roadways is accelerating at a rate beyond which the building of adequate infrastructure is able to keep pace.

As a commuter with the public transport service, I am (unfortunately) a witness to the peak times of traffic congestion. Above is an image, taken from on the bus at around 4 o'clock in the afternoon, of the main route drivers use to get from San Fernando back to the Uriah Butler Highway. Here I was lucky to be heading in the opposite direction of the traffic, but other days were quite different. It is clear that the bumper-to-bumper traffic day in and day out in San Fernando, and more so in Port-of-Spain, is quite an ordeal as the line of vehicles extended from the bottleneck to merge onto the highway all the way back into the core of the city. 

Cartoon taken from thelaughinghousewife.wordpress.com

If people are arriving at work already frustrated, because I know I arrive at school already tired, then traffic can be seen as a factor hindering economic activity, productivity and efficiency throughout the nation.  

"Connectedness is a mantra for the new urbanists: through international connection cities exploit the economies assumed to arise from ever-increasing concentration of people and business. Hence, the city seeking to make its mark globally must invest in ever increasing transport infrastructure." - Phil McDermott, From Connectedness to Dispersal: Urbanisation in the 21st Century.

Geographical and physical limitations mean that highways alone cannot solve the problem. In an attempt to encourage commuters off the roads, the water-taxi service was introduced. However, a reducing effect on the traffic situation is yet to be seen as the government refuses to make the necessary expansions. The argument is that the water-taxi service is heavily subsidised and is not economically viable.

Image taken from www.discovertnt.com

Perhaps encouraging inner-city dwellers to use cycling as a mode of transportation within the city can provide a reduction in the amount of occupied space on and along streets of the CBD. But this, along with other solutions, can only come from a great deal of effort and planning by the governing bodies.

Sadly, it remains that apart from the controversial San Fernando to Point Fortin highway project, there are no initiatives to ease the growing traffic congestion which affects not only the urban population but the entire nation.

Check out this video "God Created Transit" from Next City, a non-profit organisation dedicated to connecting cities and informing the people who work to improve them.

Urban Poverty and Cities of Aspiration

“Not only our future economic soundness but the very soundness of our democratic institutions depends on the determination of our government to give employment to idle men” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

In poverty assessment of Trinidad and Tobago by The World Bank, it is stated that the severity of poverty is worse in urban than in rural areas. In urban areas the economic pressures of the poor coupled with high youth unemployment, has contributed to growing problems of crime and drug use. As crime and violence continue to increase, they will have detrimental effects on the economy and society as a whole.

The urban profile of San Fernando by United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), reports, "The existing infrastructure is outdated and inefficient for the type and extent of modernization in San Fernando, as well as its capacity demands. Power lines and cables are strung on utility poles above the streets, water leaks from existing pipes, and distribution is a challenge. Coupled with the increase in the intensity of use of buildings and the increased consumption of the population, there is strain on the available resources."

The urban poor are constricted in pockets throughout the city, mainly in marginal areas and in some areas adjacent to government housing schemes. In such pockets, the housing stock does not reflect well on the city in terms of aesthetics as in the images of San Fernando pictured above and below.

With no published crime prevention strategy for San Fernando, nor any specially established water rates for the urban poor in the city it is evident that the political will to address the wide number of problems facing the urban poor is also in desperate need of improvement.

"It seems to me that not having some type of aspirational component to your city’s attractiveness ultimately puts a ceiling on what it can achieve." - Aaron M. Renn.

Despite the fact that San Fernando enjoys a high level of literacy and is home to some of the most prestigious schools in the country, it is certainly not a city of 'aspirational attraction' for the majority of Trinidad's population. No, that is definitely Port-of-Spain. With a skyline that induces a feeling of empowerment and superiority it is no wonder that anyone who can dream of it (blissfully ignorant of the traffic conditions of course and of the actual hardship of life within the capital), aim for a life in the big city. Whether it be for lifestyle reasons, or simply because of the reputation of the capital.

Image taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/socatrinidad/2708707259/

But the city is, and needs to have, so much more than simply an "aspirational component" despite what some governing bodies seem to think. New and unnecessary skyscrapers are too often springing up on the Port-of-Spain waterfront, and what is being done about Beetham or Sea Lots? Well they may just get more walls. Silly politicians. Covering something up doesn't mean it will go away.

Cities provide opportunities for many, particularly the poor who are attracted by greater job prospects, the availability of services, and for some simply an escape from constraints in rural villages. Yet city life can also present conditions of overcrowded living, congestion, unemployment, lack of social and community networks, stark inequalities, and crippling social problems such as crime and violence.

Image taken from www.scribd.com/doc/19552480/Port-of-Spain-Case-Study

Some of those who migrate will benefit from the opportunities in urban areas, while those with low skill levels, may be left behind and struggle to cope with the day to day challenges of city life. Many of the problems of urban poverty are rooted in resource and capacity constraints, inadequate Government policies, and a lack of planning for urban growth and management.

“Want of money and the distress of a thief can never be alleged as the cause of his thieving, for many honest people endure greater hardships with fortitude. We must therefore seek the cause elsewhere than in want of money, for that is the miser’s passion, not the thief’s” — William Blake

We need to be asking the question of what exactly we are doing to benefit the people without college degrees beyond assuring them that if we attract more people with college degrees everything will be looking up for them. 

Class-based resentments threaten civic cohesion and such bitterness must be prevented as each social class is interwoven into a single urban environment. Growth projections are high for cities in developing countries and the challenges of urban poverty and of city management will only worsen if it is not addressed more aggressively.