Cities today are rapidly developing and changing into independent cores of business activities. Many physical changes to urban landscapes have sought to emphasize or enhance their cultural values.
Some have also been gentrified or remodeled to emphasize marketable aspects of their histories either to paying customers or the urban citizenry more generally.
Culture has also seen to be a driving force in the economy of a city. There has been a rise in the entrepreneurial sector of the economy where creative industries are being created signifying knowledge, intelligence and cultural production to the economies of urban spaces.
In the city of Port Of Spain, significant urban change has taken place in the last 30 years. Here are some of the major cultural developments :
1. Historical and cultural buildings such as the magnificent seven; Killarney, Whitehall, Archbishop's House, Roomor, Mille Fleurs, Hayes Court, and Queen's Royal College has been renovated and marketed as places many must visit in Trinidad and Tobago.
2. The Queen's Park Savannah in the last 30 years has been the number one green space that hosts cultural events important to the city and country such as cricket tournaments , cultural festivities , religious events and concerts etc.
3. The development of NAPA ( National Academy of Performing Arts ) which is the permanent home for the development of talent in performing arts and plays a huge role in development as it teaches and qualifies artistes of tomorrow. It also hosts local plays and events in the newly emergent cultural sector such as local award shows .
4. The development of a night life in the city in areas such as Arapita Avenue where many locals and tourists feel at home and a sense of cultural identity as they party as 'one'. There are also many ethnic 'liming' spots for example La Habana where local Hispanics visit to feel as sense of place and identity !
5. The city of Port Of Spain is culturally diverse where citizens of every creed and race can indeed find an equal place ! During Sunday afternoons there are many people enjoying themselves in the parks playing cricket or having a sports day or maybe just chillin !
PICTURES CAPTURING SOME OF THE BUILDINGS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN AND ALSO NAPA!
Comments on heritage and power?
ReplyDeleteVery good.