King's Wharf or Pauper's

Welcome, bienvenidos to my hometown of San Fernando! Yes these are still shots taken of King's Wharf San Fernando. I go there for transportation to Debe and also for a Deluxe Coach or Water Taxi to Port of Spain. I saw it fit for my final entry to be about my hometown city. This picture of 3 images really depicts urban decay. I had so many shots to choose from it was really difficult. Many people try to avoid this area at the end of the wharf. It is known to be a drug den, home for the homeless and where activities which take place in Murray Street, Port of Spain also occur here. it is not unusual to see in other areas of the country the sea view has magnificent houses along it or overhead, but for our two main cities this is opposite. The chaotic structure of these urban spaces and with its residential and commercial developments with economically and environmentally degraded space in between is represented in Dear and Flusty's 1998 "patchwork model." Fragmentation is the main idea behind this. This post modern city form gives rise to segregation and exclusion as well as edge cities. As such it is not uncommon to see two extremes within the city, the rich and poor, the developed and undeveloped, the new and old and the expanded and the decayed. These buildings are now air marked to be refurbished so because of its cultural and historical representation they will be conserved.

Doing this blog helped look at cities from a different perspective. Buildings I would occasionally and frequently pass by and never noticed are now given a closer look. The inequity and disparity in urban structures, politics and economies have been outlined throughout my blog entries. Places like Nelson, George and Piccadilly Streets in Port of Spain and the end of King's Wharf in San Fernando where I was scared of, are now no longer so frightening. The old buildings and "spooky" atmosphere coupled with shady characters are no longer spine "chilling." This blog has helped to grow academically, personally and patriotically. The research and findings has inspired a light inside to do something about derelict buildings, homelessness and poverty.

I looked at a few blogs from this year's Urban Geography class and I picked three which I found was relevant to this topic:

1) http://urbancries.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-forsaken-photo-8-shows-dilapidated.html?showComment=1366154219226#c3885808158674411840

Urban decay can be seen as an urban cry and as discussed certain buildings once not declared as historical or cultural maybe neglected its chance for renewal.

2) http://karenballyconcretecity.blogspot.com/2013/03/slums.html?showComment=1366154859221#c6876212296810625025

The slums play a part in decay as it is considered part of the city and because finance is utilized elsewhere on what the state deems more important, urban decay will continue to remain prevalent.

The following is the mural which the SLSS students from Karen's video did in their Art Connect project. I think this may be a good initiative to implement as an answer to urban decay, where neglected walls can be artistically re-created.

3) http://urbanizationdisparity.blogspot.com/

This entire blog tied into the aspect of urban decay because of the areas highlighted for instance the slums in San Fernando. Disparity and urbanization leads to urban decay because neglect and inequity is always the result.


The following link is to a Common Wealth article about the rejuvenation of Kingston much like what is the intended purpose of these buildings.
Renaissance of Kingston



In conclusion, it takes the buildings in a city to decay or die in order for development or restoration and repair to take place. Urban decay is generally concerned with the deterioration of the urban structures or forms and their neglect emerges this theme. But if a city is economically, politically and culturally connected and each city is unique with different geographical processes and particular problems then the urban encompasses much more than structure; it includes culture, the human element. In this light, once there is life in the city in the form of culture, graffiti, socially displaced then a city is not dead. It is simply just going through a rough time until its time to be "touched up" or "make up over."

Thank you Joel, for all your help in driving me around and your patience with me always blocking your side view mirrors by my picture taking.

Double D's: Decay versus Development

The picture below shows how a city can take on a dual image. If you look closely at the bottom picture you will see a reflection of the twin towers. This shows that on one side of the city close to the sea is under developed or neglected and  that on the right side is being developed and remodeled. Hall and Barrett, 2012, suggest cities rapidly grow and change but thire are anti-urban representations of urban life which remains prevalent. Dystopic urban landscapes which are the dark, menacing, ruined or abandoned features emerge but cities are adaptable to them. These landscapes also emerge due to economic differences as depicted in the pictures below.

The following film shows how art is used to beautify abandoned buildings in Detroit. This should be utilized to beautify the city and use the talents of residents in the area in a drive to so like the Beetham Gardens initiative.

Excellent Mangoes Urban Decay Cuisines

These two images are taken of two places I frequented to eat lunch in Port of Spain; Mangoes and the Food Court in Excellent Mall. I mostly enjoyed the cuisines in Excellent Mall but never really realized how old the building was and how much work is needed on it. If a stakeholder takes on the responsibility of renovation or upgrading a building which is deemed functional, they need to consider economic costs. This may be the prime reason these buildings are not renovated. If they are the trickle down effect will be felt by those establishments renting these buildings. Additionally, environmental concerns arises. Development of infrastructure will lead to noise and dust and even traffic build up. Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) will need to be obtained from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) for works to commence. These may be the drawbacks and a stakeholder is not willing to confront and so leaves the building to bring in as much profit as it can until it can no longer do so.

The following link is to an article on a restoration of restaurants in Chicago:
Old Chicago Restaurants being Remodeled

Rural-Urban Fringe

Seems like the only things new on this street are the cars and the street itself. Remove these cars and voila we could film a horror movie here. I'm all for urban rooftops and greener cities and reducing climate change, in fact my school, Success Laventille Secondary, did a Royal Bank Young Leaders Project on it last year, 2012; but this takes on a new meaning. There are vines growing on the building and what seems to be a tree: occurring naturally! Yes this scene is taken out of movie that has not been scripted or created, its location Nelson Street. The picture above is Nelson as well: Nelson Exchange an exchange for the Telecommunications Service of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) located on Edward Street, Port of Spain. So this an exchange office, guess we are not really that developed if a office of this stature looks like that. I think it should be exchanged to Nelson Street, birds of the same feather flock together! What is ironical is that Nelson Street is really residential based and maybe is the reason for its conditioning but office is in the heart of town but not maintained well. Maybe the inside is where all the money is spent to upgrade.

Nick Gallent, 2006 states on the topic of rural-urban fringe that it is generally seen as a problem in planning. The views of aesthetics are challenging. this maybe solved by education and re-evaluation. Nelson is part of the city but because of its function of residency it can be considered "slums" and not really part of the "city." With this point in mind I propose the concept of Rural-urban fringe where Nelson Street acts as rural. With this concept, it may explain why development is stagnated here. Even gentrification is not present here and one can assume it is not considered part of the city.

For my part, I make this pledge to all of you: The politics of division, of pitting east against west, urban versus rural, region against region, and people against people will have no place in my Administration.

Edward G Rendell quote

This quote suggests where power lies and how this power creates divides amongst classes, areas and regions. this inevitably leads to divides in development.

Roadside Hauntings

The first picture in the collage below is taken at the corner of Independence Square and Duncan Street, Port of Spain. The second was taken at the top if Nelson Street by the East Dry River. The first in is abandoned bank and the second well it's actually functional.

Planners may be blamed for gaudy, tacky and deteriorating building as S. Izenour 1972 suggests. But maybe these buildings are here because for ordinary people it is a part of their culture or history of the city. Hall and Barrett, 2012 states these phantasmagoric landscapes are typically found away from the centres if cities where the pace of urban change is slower and it's completeness less certain. There are a lot of these landscapes in the city.

The Following Link is a PDF document on Canada Phantamogoric Landscapes and shows their Port containers as well as other buildings which are deteriorating.

http://www.torontophotographyseminar.org/sites/default/files/uploads/G%20Moser%20Phantasmagoric%20Places.pdf

Remember those walls they built well they come tumbling down

"Remember those walls I built
Well, baby they're tumbling down
And they didn't even put up a fight
They didn't even make up a sound"
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/beyonce/halo.html

When I saw these walls and their state, these lyrics came to my head. The first and third pictures starting from the upper left going clockwise are images taken from Broadway, Port of Spain whilst the second is taken along Independence Square close to Nelson Street, Port of Spain.

Graffiti

Machel Montano and Freetown Collective: Represent

This video was uploaded from YouTube.com. I see it as a fit video to highlight graffiti as it was encapsulated so well in this video. I first heard a member (M.Mawakil) of Freetown Collective in a staff retreat last year and enjoyed his talent. This is one of my favourite remixes and I'm so glad it captured the areas (Belmont, Port of Spain) we see as crime laden and "of no good" in a different light. The people here are talented and the place is not as bad as its stigma suggests. This is a positive,artistic representation of the city and the culture within the country (Carnival).

According to Gold and Revil et.al.(2004)cities can be traced by by positive and negative images often referred to as pro and anti-urban myths. Many see graffiti as anti urban and this can further be aligned to urban decay. If structures are not maintained or abandoned, then urban youths will put their artistic spin on it. It is a culture in Trinidad and Tobago to express oneself through various means and graffiti is one channel. From legalizing marijuana to power to the Sea Lots outcry of the killing of three innocent lives by a law enforcer. i once had the perception that graffiti equaled vandalism but now I see its art and a channel for ones voice to be heard when no one seems to listen, maybe they'll read.

All these images below were taken in the city of Port of Spain.

Urban Decay Palettes

The pictures below are of the same Museum in Port of Spain. To tell the truth I have been working in this city for seven (7) years and it was only recently I knew this old building located at Broadway was a museum. Well I know a museum has artifacts and remnants but I never expected the building to be an artifact itself, well at least and unmaintained one. 

The picture above I took about the ending of January, 2013 and the bottom was taken about the beginning of April, 2013. These images show the processes of urban decay and conservation. In my earlier entries it was stated that conservation does occur but is driven by wealthy educated elites who were involved in the collection o artifacts from the past (Hall and Barrett, 2012, pg 143). Furthermore the justification for conservation of a building is an intellectual, psychological and financial one. These buildings may be cultural or historic centres and there are differences to the approaches of repair and restoration of buildings (full restoration or ongoing repair). Ongoing repair seems to be example set out in the picture below.

A palette from the line of cosmetics called Urban Decay. (Google Images)

I thought this picture painted the message perfect. This line of cosmetics is widely used especially because of their introduction to bold, bright colours. As the Museum is having a face lift or makeover it can be compared to the application of makeup. The structure is not being destroyed or rebuilt instead touches here and there is being made and the result ultimately will be magnificent.

A day time view of the city entrance

This view shows the dilapidated wall by the bridge over the East-Dry River upon entering Port of Spain via South Quay.

Can you see the pavement, or what should be the pavement? I always get upset in my nation's city which I spend most of my waking hours, because I work there! I love to where heels and pretty high ones but they always get damaged walking on these jagged,uneven pavements. So I resort to flats and occasionally "Piper Clarkes." So why can't this be fixed you may ask. Your guess is as good as mine. Hall and Barrett, 2012 further explains that there are economics arguments in light of conservation of an urban space. Will there be economic benefit in fixing this wall or pavement? To the planners apparently its no! This area is usually routed by vehicular transport and maybe footed by residents of the surrounding Piccadilly and NIPDEC Car park areas.

 It may seemed a little farfetched but it did occur so its worth taking a look at. The above video extracted from YouTube, shows a young lady being swallowed by a pavement in China. If we neglect our city and distance ourselves from what Jane Jacobs describes a new urbanism "walkable city" we may have this event occurring. Governments need to consider pedestrians and vie for a Greener City with less cars. If pavements are overlooked and not maintained they will begin to collapse; maybe an accident is what the state and planners are waiting for so they will have the impetus to preserve the transport routes for pedestrians.

Urban Decay: A home

 The picture below is taken from the Eastern Main Road entering into Port of Spain. Do you know what building this is? Well its the view many do not get as most motorists take the alternative routes of highway or over the NP flyover. This is the back view of the NIPDEC car park. For those of you unfamiliar with this building, yes it is a car park but look closely enough it is multifunctional and multifaceted. It is also a haven, a home for the many street dwellers ( I prefer the term socially displaced) within my beloved city. This building is not even 15 years old and being of dual function and utilized by the state as home for humans it should be maintained. if you look close enough you will see some residents and their close being hung out on the railings. I personally feel something better can be done for these people and better facilities made. Their is so much development and land in the country. Money wasted on, well I'm not going into politics, but you get my jist; that an asylum or rehabilitation centre with state of the art technology and facilities be developed. A country needs to develop its people not just a city because its the people, cultures and activities which diversify and shape a city.

The following link is to an Express report and interview with some residents of the Car park: and what they think about their living conditions and the Government's approach:

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/New-home-new-hope-131143253.html

http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/economic-social-environmental-rundown/2010/11/17/id/377368

This link gives some perspective on urban decay. I think it summarizes all the aspects to be considered on this topic and it is easy and short reading. It takes into consideration urban form form and structure, urban politics and the lifestyle and culture within these areas of the abandoned  or neglected urban areas.

Urban Decay

Slowly descending
The spiral staircase
Into urban decay
On this night long journey -

Preceded by flashlight
And followed by the full moon,
Whose eyes hold us all in
His view as the street light
Flickers in and out in orange shades.

Owen Johnston

What do you think makes an area urban? People or buildings?

This picture was taken whilst being chauffeured along Nelson Street, Port of Spain. This is an abandoned building on the corner of Cockerton Street; the shortest street in the city. I actually thought it was a housing unit for a family but it is and abandoned bar or business place. It may offer some refuge to the socially displaced in this urban space. This area in the city is usually forgotten as urban planners seem to concentrate their development in the heart of the city, that is Charlotte Street, westward. These buildings are not of highest priority to be conserved or rejuvenated. Hall and Barrett, 2012 suggests that there is a widespread desire to preserve particular monuments or buildings and this was driven by wealthy educated elites; who do not live or visit these areas but reside west of this region. So, it is not abnormal to see buildings in these areas left as derelict or abandoned with no hope of being upgraded. 

The video above is from a group called Urban Decay, the song is entitled Still Here. this video was uploaded from YouTube. I find the lyrics fit for the introduction of the topic of Urban Decay: "I'm still here in a realm of time and space, I'm like air that's baked in a cake." The background of the video has stunning images of urban decay and to me it does not seem chaotic, ugly or negative. There is a beauty to these images and it suggests that no matter what temporal or spatial scales exist urban decay is eminent and will continue to exist.