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