Urban Traveller

Monday 15 April 2013

Reflective Analysis

It's too soon to say goodbye :'( ... Firstly i would like to thank everyone who commented and critiqued on my blog or at LEAST visited my page. When i was given this assignment , there were so many options that i didn't know which one to choose but then i said to myself, " why not have it all ?" . I chose my theme of being an 'URBAN TRAVELER' because i love adventure; to travel and explore. I also love to discover and look at things in a different prospective. In my opinion looking and comparing past to present is a great tool as it gives understanding on how things developed and what factors might have caused a change . My blogs are usually short and sweet as they may say in length but not in quality !
In my recent blogs i have discussed many main topics that are related to the city. They are :

There are alot of blogs from my classmates that shared similar topics with completely different view points that i can relate to .Firstly UrbanLifestyle by Morissa Rodney completely captured my attention. Her blog is astounding as her pictures are taken from different view points of the city and topics were on broad definition similar to mine. I also admired Her Experience in the city that caught raw pictures of daily activities within the CBD. Our topics are similar as we share Mobility in the city, buildings and architecture , homelessness and many others . Some of our thoughts were the same as we pointed out that public transportation is a major source of transport in the CBD and much needs to be done to help the homeless people in our city.

Another comparator that can be linked to my blog is that of my classmate Urban Sprawls by Neisha Smith. Her blog is so creative and targets issues at a primary and secondary scale. She not only views and explores broad topics but choose to look at the forgotten things that many usually surpass. Neisha also tackled similar topics such a mobility and also interlinked her opinions with that of researched information. We both reflected on the reality of Port of Spain compared to what people imagine and also noted that much needs to be done in the Eastern areas of Port Of Spain.

Here are the link to my classmates' blogs:
http://urbanlifestyle1992.blogspot.com/
http://urbansprawl1.blogspot.com/2013/03/urban-sprawl-and-gentrification.html

And to end of this post here is a song that reflects my blog ...The Traveler's Song

Thank you all ! I Hope you enjoyed my blog and can relate to my experiences and see them in my viewpoint. It has been a fun journey traveling with you !

- Urban Traveler

Sunday 14 April 2013

Simplicity In The City

Look at these wonderful pictures! One may say that the city life is complex and enduring but these raw pictures captured says it all.

Central Market

Local Produce

Front of Central Market

The central market located in Port of Spain is where local farmers sell their produce to the public. It is a place where culture and people intertwine. It represents our life and how diverse our culture is. The people here are humble and simple .The market is very large and continues to be forgotten by many as they sought to buy from 'high class' supermarkets such a price smart and HiLo

Having A Wonderful Time

Making business out of local fruits. Mr. Tony has been at the side of the savannah for years selling his coconuts from an old van. Since then he gained lots of local customers and eventually gathered enough money to afford this dandy cart!

Our Cultural project

Project managers have been working on making the city more culturally active and displaying our culture where everyone can see. This is taken on Wrightson Road where children from local schools were chosen to paint murals pertaining to our cultural heritage and history of Trinidad and Tobago .

The Forgotten

THE FORGOTTEN

Building made out of galvanize

Dwelling situated on hill at the side of road

House on wooden stilts

Opposite of the famous Lady Young lookout

House on stilts..Wonderful reception though lol

A humble small vege shed

Starving Dog :(

Old modelled trucks

These pictures were taken in the Morvant and Laventille areas of East Port of Spain. While the CBD is being highly developed and many are living the 'rich ' lifestyle in apartment buildings and condos, these are some of the people who live here .. This is a look into their surroundings and living conditions. I was truly amazed to see the second picture where this house was situated right on the cliff at the side of the road! Sometimes people may not be as fortunate as others and have to live this type of life . My heart truly goes out to the people that endure and make these sacrifices on a daily basis. I cannot imagine myself living a life in this area ...it is not bad don't get me wrong but when i was driving , the amount of litter was scattered made some areas smell bad! Most of the houses i witnessed on the hill of the Lady Young was mostly board and on stilts.

It just goes to show that although the city may be the place to be and work which is seen as positive , there is also a negative ! the forgotten! the shove under the carpet! The government needs to organize a clean up of the environment and gentrify these places. There are alot of negativeness in these places broadcasted by newspapers and social media where the environment and lifestyle has led to forms of crime , male marginalization and youth gang membership.

Globalization

Oh yes i dared to go there !

Globalization is a topic that has been talked about for years. It can be defined by wikipedia as the process of international integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture. It describes the interplay across cultures of social forces such as religion, politics, and economics and can also erode and universalize the characteristics of a local group. Advances in transportation and telecommunications infrastructure, including the rise of the Internet, are major factors in globalization, generating further interdependence of economic and cultural activities.

Instead of listing non related factors of globalization upon cities i am clearly going to state what effect it has on the city of Port of Spain. Do you think globalization has a positive or negative effect on Port Of Spain?

POSITIVE:

- New forms of technological advancements

- New forms of architecture and building design

- Use of Internet/ Computer for daily services and work related activities

- New forms of culture eg. Westernized clothing, music , dance, food seen in Port of Spain.

- Foreign products imported

- Foreign investment companies

- Westernized restaurants and fast food outlets

-Creation of employment for locals

- Good Competition against foreign

- New markets

-Foreign Trade ( the port )

NEGATIVE:

-Loss of jobs replaced by machines

- Loss of culture ( CULTURAL ERASURE) replaced by fast food outlets and traditional dress being replaced , religious ceremonies are cut short and many listen to westernized music rather than religious or cultural.

- Decreased employment

- Resources taken up by foreign companies

- Issue of pollution and environmental sustainability

- Local markets being left out

- Local street vendors are despised as people want brand name items

- Farmers markets are also neglected as many prefer to buy from prestigious overpriced supermarkets

Street Vendors Left Out

REVIEW SITES :

http://guardian.co.tt/columnist/2011/06/05/tt-invented-globalisation

Mobility And Transport In The City

PTSC Bus Transport Head Office

Taxi Service also Walkway

Mobile Police Patrol

Taxi Stands

Mobility is the way people get from one place to another through walking , driving, etc. using cars , buses bicycles, ferries, airplanes etc. In the city it is the way in which people commute . Mobility shapes a city as size and form reflects the type of transport that is needed. It also influences structure of cities such as pathways , walkways , streets , trains etc. In the urban city areas today, many are trying to use carpooling with friends , families or co workers as an effective strategy to combat carbon monoxide pollution. Urban cities have resulted in using buses, street trains and trams or street cars as the main ways in traveling . Due to this high rise multi-storey car parks are being built.

In Port of Spain there are taxi stands that carry you to various destinations such as Chaguanas, Arima etc. PTSC Buses are also for the public and most importantly senior and handicapped people to move around comfortably.

The Bus Route is another way in which people travel. It takes them through the North East areas and back such as Curepe, St Agustine , Laventille etc.

There is also an intricate network of roads that allow cars to enter and move freely

Pavements and walkways created to get to destinations faster during work breaks

References:

Hall, Tim., and Heather Barrett. Urban Geography. New York. 2012

REVIEW SITES:
http://guardian.co.tt/letters/2012-10-23/decentralisation-good-pos
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/_It_can_ease_traffic_woes_-114764374.html

Homelessness In The City

( Picture Authorized To Be Taken..I Gave Him $5 )

Homelessness to me is a major deal. While people walk or run past them or sometimes totally ignore them when asking for a donation i simply give them whatever i may carry with me e.g Food or money. While people make fun of them, i to put myself in their shoes and try to understand their situation. We freak out when our parents don't cook for us , or when water and electricity have been temporarily disconnected BUT LOOK AT THEM ! They have nothing !
Oscar Lewis stated that there is a culture of poverty that some just cannot find their way through life and happens at an individual , family and community level. Others are known for being 'mentally off '. Whichever way they are , some of them are being described as littering the city with their bodies, vandalizing buildings and making citizens feel uncomfortable.

Cities especially Port of Spain is known for having vagrants sleeping and residing in public areas such as parks eg. Independence Square or cemeteries . Some have been taken to homeless shelters and returned to the streets on their own or others run from the police as they are caught with illegal drugs . Its a downhill road! Others have been video taped in the local youtube community for dancing or singing for money and the most popular beating on people.

Mayor Lee Singh together with the government have proposed a plan to get them off the streets and house them in a facility where they will be rehabilitated and set out in to the world with the right care and attention.This is the positive news we were waiting for !

When many think of cities, homeless people spoil the thought or view.

Review Sites :
http://guardian.co.tt/news/2011/09/12/business-usual-homeless-port-spain
http://www.tv6tnt.com/sevenpm-news/HOMELESS-IN-PORT-OF-SPAIN-184148671.html

NEW PLAN TO ADDRESS THE CITY DWELLERS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_SefH4bJ6E

Gentrification In The City

Gentrification is the process whereby old buildings are given a 'face lift' or remodeled or renovated . The first picture above was taken to show the clear evidence of gentrification talking place as the front and side of the buildings are clearly differently structured. Presently gentrification is also taking place in the red house where it is being renovated to suit the development of the city.

As the city progresses some buildings are left behind or some as it ages , looks odd compared to the new ones. Boards are turned into concrete, stained glass turned into clear viewing masterpieces, its a makeover!
Gentrification is a good thing .. Its fresh and modern and some also conserve the local architectural
design of the city and buildings.

NEGATIVITY: As buildings become gentrified, urban gentrification often involves population migration as poor residents of a neighborhood are displaced. Sometimes homeless people are also displaced as they seek abandoned or unoccupied buildings to call home. When these are removed, they are forced to sleep in public parks and take shelter in the worst of places ..Some are also forced out of the city in Trinidad forming Gang activity and crimes :(

View at 6:00 Min In The Video Where Gentrification Is Discussed

Reviews : http://www.islandmix.com/backchat/f6/spinoff-gentrification-could-work-east-port-spain-trinidad-250966/