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.