THE BRIAN LARA PROMENADE

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell            -The Brian Lara Promenade, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Off great importance to the Caribbean Region is the game of cricket as it relates to Caribbean History (Stoddart 1995). Initially, cricket was a European sport, but Colonial intervention and slavery, has caused an evolution as the sport is now the most popular game within the Caribbean region. Cricket stands for accomplishment and victory within the region where the West Indies cricket team showed the capability of playing the sport just as well as the Europeans, and has made History with the achievements gained. Historical achievements are elements which contribute to the design of urban spaces, as sculptures are created to represent and remind society about the events of the past that has shaped the history and culture of the country today.

On the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, a West Indian icon to be remembered and honored, Brian Charles Lara was a phenomenal batsman who once played on the West Indies cricket team. He holds the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket, with 501 not out and is the only batsman ever to have scored a hundred, a double century, a triple century, a quadruple century and a quintuple century in first class games. Many international awards have been presented to this incredible sportsman and in honor of Brian Lara’s sports achievements; a statue of him was built on a promenade and was named the Brian Lara Promenade which is a walkway on Independence Square.  The bronze statue designed by Bronze Depot Inc. is an iconic semblance of Brian Lara and is openly displayed to the general public within the urban space of Independence Square, Port of Spain.

Remarks by Ambassador Irwin Larocque, secretary-general of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) stated, “Our Region has produced several world renowned sportsmen and women: Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell Brown, Kirana James, Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul among others.” Since the emergence of this statue, it gives the population the idea that the development of sports and youth development is an important aspect in the Caribbean. Brian Charles Lara world record has not been broken to date which explains the reason he is in the execution of the bat position on top of the world.  

The success and victory that cricket represents, is a powerful social force. It is a force which unifies different islands because of the love of the game which brings forth togetherness. Within the urban city, Port of Spain, the sculpture has contributed to the development of the city as the architectural design elicits open space within the city. The statue of the West Indian icon in cricket is used to bring society together on the promenade for recreation as it represents unity.  The promenade and by extension the Independence Square have received expansion with the addition of  the green open space, benches, bins, and decorations of light poles and is a great place for open events. As a result, this open space is designed to accommodate citizens as it is used as a form of relaxation and for ‘Trinbagonians’, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago where they go to ‘lime’, that is to socialize.

References:

Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM),. 2012. The Twenty-Second Meeting Of The Council For Human And Social Development (Cohsod) On Youth Culture And Sports.  

Stoddart, Brian. 1995. "Cricket and colonialism in the English-speaking Caribbean to 1914: towards a cultural analysis." Liberation Cricket: West Indies Cricket Culture : 9-32.

OPEN SPACES

Photo Taken by Kimara Dyer                         -Peebles Park, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica

In 1928, Captain Peebles, Chief of Police and at times Acting Administrator, aimed at developing a small park for the establishment of a monument as a memorial to those who had died in the First World War.  This was created out of an abandoned lot of land where the planting of flowering trees and the placement of benches created an open space to accommodate the public combining the memorial meaning with a space for open communal interaction. In the Caribbean, elements such as monuments with a historic meaning to the island are commonly used as the centre to bring togetherness among citizens. As a result, Captain Peebles contributed to the design of the urban city with the inclusion of a space for recreation.

The architectural design of the park integrated a wide open space with concrete benches. These benches are simple with no backs but large enough to seat four people. They are located on either side of the trees to give shade from the sun. Towards the north of the Park, there stands a gazebo.  The structure is shaped like a hut with a cone shaped galvanized roofing and a circular bottom and an open space configuration. The layout is painted in white and green to blend in with the natural environment.

Peebles Park is a popular recreational space bordering the city of Roseau in close proximity to the coast. Located on Victoria Street, the space is open to the public. The purpose of the space has evolved over the years as it is utilized in a number of different ways. After a long Saturday morning walk in the streets of Roseau in the hot sun while running errands, one tends to come here to sit under the trees and take in the cool breeze from the nearby sea. Others use the space to eat and mingle with friends. As seen in the photo, homeless people utilize the area to do the same.

Though the photo shows a homeless person on the sidewalk, they also occupy the interior of the space. The Peebles Park is a space where homeless people often separate themselves away from the harsh reality of the urban city.  On a wider scale, business companies use the area for charity events, fundraisers, as well as, children fun days. During the independence season, cultural dances take place within the circular interior and are a part of the independence festivities. There is no discrimination in this public space; it is open to all, the rich, poor, young and old.

A growing concern in urbanism addressed in the articles by Hou, 2010 and Olmsted, 1870 is the increase in the population density within the urban space and the availability of areas for the sole purpose for relaxation. Though the park provides recreation for the contemporary population, soon these parks will be undersized to accommodate the growing population. As a result, alternative architectural design would have to be implemented to accommodate the expansion of this growth. Olmsted (1870), states that the increase in activity within the city from the growth in the social and economical sectors would cause an expansion or the creation of parks for mental recuperation and calm contemplation for park visitors. In turn this would improve the city as there is space for stress relief encountered in the chaotic city and crowded streets. As a result, expansion of green open spaces such as Peebles Park is a future concern for the growing population.

References:

Hou, Jeffrey, ed. 2010 Insurgent public space: guerrilla urbanism and the remaking of contemporary cities. Routledge.

Olmsted, Frederick Law. 1870. "Public parks and the enlargement of towns." The urban design reader: 28-34.

LOVE IN CARIBBEAN ARCHITECTURE

Photo taken by Jhon Pierre Maxwell                          -In front of Duncan Street Port of Spain

Where is the love the local citizens crave for? On the east edge of Independence Square in Port of Spain from Duncan Street, Picadilly Street and Besson Street is known to be the periphery of Port of Spain. Crime and deviance are at high rates associated with gang violence. It is a phenomenon that exists within both rural and urban spaces. According to Glaeser (1996) crime rates are much higher in big cities than in either small cities or rural areas, and have been relatively pervasive for several centuries. This theory is further expanded by Marxist who expound on the theory that crimes are committed due to social class differences (Peet 1975).  People in the periphery who gain a minimal wage salary have the potential to engage in criminal activity in order to get access to the luxury and wealth associated with the Central Business District (Crime 2016).  To some it is their way of livelihood and the city is used as the source of victims.  In Trinidad and Tobago within recent times there has been an increase in the amount of crime. From the year 2000 crime began to increase and has continued that trend until it peaked in 2008 with 550 murders, after which it showed a decline to date (TTcrime 2016).

On the initial visit to Picadilly Street, pictures were taken in the spectrum of daylight. A short interview was conducted with an elder within the community as he expressed the high risk of wandering through the dangerous streets and informed that a high level of crime is associated with this area. Upon leaving Picadilly Street, the elder took contact information to confirm safety when leaving the area.

 Walking out from Picadilly Street towards Duncan Street, a sense of plead and compassion came from the walls of the road of Independence Square in the form of graffiti. Although crime is associated with the communities on the periphery, there are segmented groups within the community who are calling out for help. “LOVE” written on the walls of the building, light-pole and post box, indicates the communication to the public against the criminal activities associated with this area. The architectural design and pattern of the building had abstracts of persons which represent the people of the community. The buildings were abandoned and had no form of protection such as gates, fences or security. As a result of no restriction of public amenities, the community took the opportunity to express their plead through graffiti in public spaces expressing the frustration of the crime and the unhappiness brought about by hatred and fighting.

The theory of Neoliberalism emphasizes the idea of a system that is adapted by  imperialistic United States of America and other developed countries where high rise buildings is considered ideal or better and should be applied to Latin America and The Caribbean. Port of Spain has adapted some aspects of the imperialistic United States of America and other developed countries. Additionally, Elizabeth Martinez and Arnoldo Garcia (2000) stated that, “Neo-liberalism is a set of economic policies that have become widespread during the last 25 years or so. Although the word is rarely heard in the United States, you can clearly see the effects of neo-liberalism here as the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer”.

Considering that developing countries such as Trinidad and Tobago have different historical and cultural behavior than that of the imperialistic countries, overtime, policies implemented have failed. This failure has lead to an evolution of criminal activity as the policies implemented do not properly address the nature of the problems associated with the Caribbean. Additionally, Privatization imposed by these imperialistic cooperation’s within the urban Caribbean spaces created a capitalistic system which maintained low incomes among people. Therefore, due to not being able to survive on minimal wage and growing in this highly materialized world, the desire to want or need material will increase and may be taken illegally.

The word “Love” written on the objects and architectural design of the building therefore indicates the effects neoliberalism when applying the western idea of development towards colonial territories. The architectural design used in this Caribbean space gives the community an opportunity to express this. Caribbean architecture is being used in this form in the urban space. Stating Love is within the people.

References:

"Crime". Urban Livihood. N.p., 2014.

Garcia, Arnoldo, and Elizabeth Martinez. "What Is "Neo-Liberalism" | Global Exchange". Globalexchange.org. N.p., 2000.

Peet, Richard. 1975. "Inequality And Poverty: A Marxist-Geographic Theory∗." Annals of the Association of American Geographers 65.4: 564-571.

"Trinidad & Tobago Crime Statistics". Ttcrime.com. N.p., 2016. 

THE EVOLUTION of DOMINICAN 

ARCHITECTURE

Photo taken by Kimara Dyer               -Ruins Rock Cafe, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica

This photo is taken down town, King George V Street, at the Old Market Square in the main city of Dominica, Roseau. This stone masonry is one of the most popular bars on the island called, “Ruins”. Originally, this building was not built for the sole purpose of a bar and restaurant; however, it has been reconstructed over the years to fit that purpose. This popular bar is where most people come to ‘lime’ (relax) on a Friday evening after a long hard working week. People of all ages patronize the bar and the local exotic drinks and spices sold are very unique.

The single-story building is made of a variety of materials. The top section depicts that of sculptured stone and the base is made of a mixture of stone and concrete. The doors are made of bamboo which is a local material on the island. The bamboo is painted in colours of the flag which depicts patriotism.  A combination of wood, concrete and bamboo generates historical architecture within the space of the city. The mixture of local material to complete this building structure shows the character of the content sold within the bar. The bar sells strictly local drinks and gives a Caribbean ambiance which makes it comfortable for locals as well as tourists to enjoy.  Also common to the city is that of the bench located in front of the building. These benches are not solely created as a place to sit but are sponsored by local businesses and serves as a form of advertisement.

On the island, there are many other buildings similar to the one displayed. Often times, a section of a broken down building is utilized for a specific reason which differs from the original purpose. The photo shows that this building was initially a two storey building which is evident from the visible extended stone columns above the first storey which has been dilapidated due to the notorious hurricane seasons in the past.  This has become traditional architecture where the history of the building is not lost and one is able to envision the material and structure of the buildings of the past. As a result it gives the area an antique setting downtown by the Old Market.

As time passed into the 20^th and 21^st century, Caribbean cultures have begun to adopt more modern approaches to construction while working to preserve the past (Crain 1994). As time progresses, urban settlement patterns change with time and architectural forms evolve (Paul 2001). Crane and Paul’s depiction is illustrated on the island of Dominica. The utilization of existing infrastructure to develop a new architectural design for a purpose which differs from the original intention creates a new and unique architectural form on the island of Dominica. This is seen throughout the island in the rural and urban spaces. As a result the early structural design is visible; and this in turn develops a sense of place down town as it depicts true traditional architecture as the structure of early and modern design are combined.

References:

Paul Knox, Paul L., Marston Sali A. 2001. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context. Pearson Education

Crain, Edward E. 1994. Historic architecture in the Caribbean islands. University Press of Florida, 

The architecture within a city symbolizes the history as well as the economic, social, cultural and political space of the city which displays a variety of characteristics within the country. Caribbean islands are developing economies which have been striving to reach the goal of development since their Independence. Overtime, these cities gradually progresses towards being developed, however; the poverty and informal economy still remain and also increase.

Like majority of developing countries, the city of Port of Spain in Trinidad experiences and exceptional growth rate which is a result of the overpopulation and the lack of employment opportunities in the rural areas of the country. As a result of these push factors; there is high population density within the city. Persons move to the city in an effort to get good jobs and build careers for themselves, however; it is not guaranteed. Therefore, an informal economy is developed. A percentage of the urban economy that is not able to fine regular paid work result in alternative routes to make a living. As seen in the picture taken in Port of Spain, alternative routes range from street vending; to searching in garbage bins as a mechanism to feed clothe and house themselves.

The design of the most prominent building in this picture is the “Drapery and Upholstery” is built with concrete, designed with glass and symmetric appearance. Pillars are situated within the building where the outline can be seen from outside. The condition of the building appears old and the paint is slowly deteriorating. There are a number of vendors along these buildings which would give the impression of inappropriate or illegal activities. The picture capturing its location, design and function can give a timeline of the development and complexities in the urban Caribbean space. For example, the buildings with their businesses attract small associated vendors, who by observations of their architecture are persons in the lower class status. They may as well be originated in rural areas and came in Charlotte Street to sell agricultural and material goods. Urban areas attract prospects for economic gain and therefore create a high density area filled with vendors along the congested sidewalk. It is difficult to walk on the sidewalk, resulting in persons being forced to walk in the middle of the road where vehicles also pass. Congestion also cause litter and waste material that give the area an unpleasant appearance. On the other side of the road is a man who seems to be searching for food in discarded boxes. The observations made in Charlotte Street is the informal sector, when designed in a less economic fashion, this will affect how the urban space functions. The fashion of the architecture of these vendors can infer higher possibilities of having pollution, pest, and homeless persons in that area.