Good Job classmates!

I have read through some of my fellow classmates blogs commenting my views on the interesting topics to which they brought about their concern.
I'm really impressed and believe everyone enjoyed and put great effort into their blogs.
This practical assignment like any other shared its load of  work however, it was quite different and allowed me to express myself more within my work.
From having to venture out into the city taking pictures, I actually got to meet new people and also learned a bit more about my country, my urban place, my home!

From the blogs I have read so far, three blogs and the posts I thought I could relate to was that of Sharifa Ammon, Khadija Stewart and Francis Arzu.

Sharifa Ammon: An Urban Exploitation
http://anurbanexploration.blogspot.com/2013/04/reflection.html
Her blog post on Public space is our space: why not use it.

Khadija Stewart: The Dark Side of urbanisation
http://negativeurbanisation.blogspot.com/
Her blog post on Pollution and Litter

Francis Arzu: Urban Lifestyles
http://francis03arzu.blogspot.com/
His blog post on Public Transport

Changing Urban Landscape

The International Waterfront Center

    Urban landscapes are not static and are constantly changing due to economic, social, cultural and environmental factors.

Throughout my past blog post, I have discussed some of the main characteristics of the city and how the county's culture, norms and values help give the city of Port-of-Spain its urban shape or form. Our culture is greatly influenced by foreign cultures through globalization and is therefore changing or evolving. One's attitude may also change due to such influences leading to such changes in urban form.

My first blog post the "Eats of the City" showcased the countries diverse and most liked local street foods. However, it also pointed out the rise of the many multinational fast food industries like Wendy's and Mac Donald's that are taking over the district.

A major change in city structure and function is in the Woodbrook vicinity. Where the past primarily residential space is changing and developing into a more commercial district to facilitate the growing demand for clubs and bars. Homes in the area, especially on the Aripita Avenue road is being bought and re-constructed into businesses. Residents who maybe emotionally attached to their homes are left with the choice either to stay in such a commercially developing environment or to leave their homes behind and reside elsewhere.

The structure and architectural design of buildings are also changing with time and modernity. The old traditional wooden or basic concrete structures within the city are being reconstructed into designs that are not just more functional but also aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. For instance some new building designs implementing the use of solar energy.

The Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Center is an example of changing landscape design into a more modern and functional facility. It is not just a place of work but also a place of recreation and includes a hotel encouraging living spaces within the city.

"A Sustainable City is one that offers a high quality of life for its inhabitants, minimises their impact on the natural environment, and has a government that can maintain its economic growth"

There are many new and upcoming changes occurring within the city of Port-of-Spain both physical and social hopefully leading to a more sustainable, especially more environmentally sustainable city.

Pictures of past and new structural building designs

An article on Port-of-Spain and a Sustainable City

http://newsday.co.tt/news/0,170456.html

The Changing urban landscape of China

http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-812246.html

Something I came across while writing this blog. ~<:D

http://smileuronmyblog.tumblr.com/post/48212826649

BYE.....for now! 

Tansportation

City Gate Bus Terminal

 "We have moved into an era where we are not simply concerned with a trip to work and back but with the multiple journey that have become not just desirable but necessary in order to sustain our lifestyles each and everyday. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that much of our life in cites is bound up with issues of how to get somewhere." (Jarvis et.al 2001:2)


"City Gate" is located at south Quay, Port of Spain and is the country's main public transportation hub. It links the capital city to the other surrounding cities and towns across the country. It allows transport via the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) buses and maxi taxis which each travel to a different location. 

A more recent form of transportation between cites is the implementation of the Water Taxi. This makes use of the vast open sea and transports passengers between the city of Port of Spain to the city of San Fernando.Other forms of transportation include maxi taxis and taxis which travel to destinations within and around the city.  

The country dose not have any form of railway system in place and commute by bicycles are not very common.For those without the comfort of a personal vehicle, City Gate remains as the most dominant public transportation hub to which people commute to other parts of the country. It is a major characteristic of the country especially the Port of Spain area and has become a historical and tourist landmark.

"Mobility, the ability to move around cities, is a fundamental and increasingly complex dimension of everyday life"

People without ownership of a car might be hindered in their personal lives commuting to to other destinations.When developing new spaces, transportation is a major concern and it should be made easily available to everyone within the society. Environmental concerns are also on the rise with the increase in the use of personal own vehicles and other transportation means that pollute the atmosphere and aid in climate change.Due to this concern there maybe future changes within the public transport system within the country, especially if a sustainable city is to be developed.

A taxi service within Port-of-Spain

A bus ride to South

Street Culture: Vending

Vending on Charlotte Street

Charlotte Street, the most well known street in town also the most lively, hectic and noisy, not the dirtiest though, George St. takes that win!.


The street is the busiest on Thursdays and Fridays, where venders are out in full to sell their goods. There are a variety of goods that are sold from clothes to shoes, hair accessories, music, movies and also vegetables/fruits. It's the place to go to find cheap bargains on clothes and cheaply priced crops. Although, some venders seem to think they are located in a high rise shopping plaza and tend to sell their clothing at mall prices, confused souls!.

It is so chaotic at times, with it's small crowded pavements you are left with no other choice but to walk in the middle of the road. I think vehicular traffic should be prohibited from passing on such a street but that might cause for traffic build up elsewhere. Anyway, I too walk on the street, moving from the left pavement to the right pavement just to get away from the bumper to bumper pedestrian pile up.

For years people have been selling their goods on the street and it has become a norm and part of our culture.There is however, some controversy over the placing of these street venders. The current mayor of Port-of-Spain, Louis Lee Sing seems to detest the cluster and disorder and wishes for them to be banned from selling on the street. I'm not too sure where the situation currently stands but there is still vending taking place.

Pratunam morning market in Bangkok is a 24hr, whole sale shopping area where one can go and bargain for cheap prices on clothes and shoes etc. It is a well known shopping district and is a characteristic of the city. Similarly to Charlotte st. and our street culture.


Pratunam Morning Market, Bangkok
http://www.clicknetwork.tv/watch.aspx?c=3&p=38&v=891

A Home for Performing Arts

The National Academy for the Performing Arts (North)

"The Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Dr Lincoln Douglas said arts and culture are the foundation of this society and must be relied upon to bolster and sustain the economy of Trinidad and Tobago."

The National Academy for the Performing Arts (North) is located within the city of Port of Spain and was developed to host such culture and performing talent. Its architectural design was built mimicking the shape of the national flower of the country, the Chaconia. There is also the recently established South NAPA located in the San Fernando district. These structures was part of the 2020 development goals of the previous political party (PNM) head by the then prime minister Patrick Manning.

This new structure and type of design has bought about a sense of  modernity to the area. It certainly stands out has become a major characteristic of the city.

The country and its diverse culture is filled with talent in various activities. The country is well known regionally and is becoming known internationally for its soca, calypso and chutney music especially around the carnival season. The steel-pan was developed in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930s and is the county's national instrument.It is a much loved instrument by locals and foreigners alike.

NAPA was built to provide a place for local and international performances such as steel-ban concerts and musicals. All of these activities and people who poses the talent to take part in such activities is given a new space to perform and help develop their talents further. The north establishment also facilitates as the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) campus for performing Arts.

A side view of South NAPA from a bus ride

The multi-religious nation

Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

According to the CIA world fact book the Religions in Trinidad as a percentage are as follows: Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 25.8% (Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4%), Hindu 22.5%, Muslim 5.8%, other Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census)

The country is a multi-religious nation. Roman Catholics and Hindus being the most dominant.
Within the city of Port-of Spain there are many religious institutions mostly catholic. Amongst the most famous and considered tourist attractions are the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the first Anglican Church and one of Port-of-Spain's oldest landmarks.The current Trinity church is actually a rebuilt from the former which was a wooden structure destroyed in a fire. The now stoned foundation was completed in 1918 and consecrated on May 25, 1823.

 The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is located at the eastern end of the Brian Lara Promenade in down town Port-of-Spain. It is one of the oldest Catholic Churches in Port-Of-Spain. One of the unique features of the Cathedral is the crypt beneath the church that houses the final remains of more than 15 high ranking Catholic Church officials.

Located at the foot of Laventille hill at the corner of Piccadilly and Queen Street there is the Maraval Mosque which is the largest Masjid in Port of Spain.

The many religious groups in the country are represented by the many religious institutions found within the city. There are also many schools of different religions, like Catholic and Islamic schools.
Religion can be said to be a characteristic of city.

Add caption

Acceptance of Vagrants

Riverside Car park, Port of Spain

Unlike my other posts which discusses the physical and structural characteristics of the city, this blog post features a more social characteristic of Port-of-Spain. Many people visiting the island of Trinidad can attest to noticing quite a lot homeless people while walking through the city. The streets are rampant with what we refer to as vagrants or pipers most of them who have succumb to poverty due to drugs.

They can be found around every corner of the city streets much like the number of bars or doubles stands. 
They find comfort almost anywhere, I have even spotted some living in trees and within river canals. Most of them however prefer to lay back on the cold, rough, concrete pavements. Parks or squares are also quite  famous destinations.
On my way to school I most often come across the car park in the above photo. It is the "Riverside car park" which I refer to as the vagrant hotel. It's a large old car park occupied by the homeless, who have made such a place into a home.

Some vagrants are more on the subtle side while others are quite unpleasant and dangerous.They are a major concern and threat to the safety of the public and something needs to be done to reduce their increasing numbers. Although there have been many attempts to rid them from the city streets and such a task may be difficult, I don't' believe much is being done at present.

There are so many homeless people all over the country who have been living on the streets for so many years, it is not uncommon to see a familiar face or to not know the name or nick name of some. Some vagrants are even famously known for their outlandish and sometimes comical behavior. They have become part of our everyday lives and we are forced to deal with their presence.

They are becoming accepted as part of the city's environment and this is one characteristic I am not proud of and hope to see be reduced in the future.

 Michael Wolf photography of the homeless in Shinjuku Station
 http://photomichaelwolf.com/#the-box-men-of-shinjuku-station/12

Gambling!

A casino located within Port of Spain

There are a few elderly people who you would come across in Trinidad that would say they don't or have never played a "play whe" or scratch a "scratch". I myself have grown a liking for playing scratch after my first $500.00 win! If I remember correctly it was a lucky 8 scratch card for those who are wondering. :-)

The country has its own National Lottery board which offers various games from cash pot, pick 2, pick 4, play whe, lotto plus and a collection of scratch cards. If you can't make it to a lottery boot you are sure to find someone crouched up on the corner of a pavement selling lottery tickets and scratch, all right at your service.

If you are more of a big time gambler, no worries, you could walk into any of the many casinos in town, once over the age of 18 and 21 for some. Casinos and lottery ticket boots, are just as rampant like the number of bars.

The Chinese have set up quite a few casinos including the famous Ma Pau. The night life of Port-of-Spain is filled with flashing, blinking lights from casinos drawing people in like flies to spend their pension money and monthly pay.

Damn lights, I'm such a fly myself, intending on visiting one for my upcoming birthday. I can't help it, I guess it won't hurt seeing that I tend to be pretty lucky at times, right?

If your not much into playing games and just wish to sit back and win cash, you can always go bet on a horse!

So far the many gambling establishments, bars and clubs which can be found around the city is bringing about an urban place which is quite hectic, busy, crowded and full of night life activities.

Bar hopping!

Pablo and Jenny's Bar, down town Port of Spain

The picture above shows one of the many, many, many bars we have in our country. On my hunt to find a picture for this blog post, I came across about eight different bars just in down town Port of Spain alone. There are still much more, each within quite close proximity of each other.                                                                             

The old guy present in the above photo and many others like him, represents a culture of people who like to drink! Not saying that our country is filled of alcoholics, but it is evident by the number of bars, that most adults fancy a drink from time to time. Local bars are also a place where people may go to lime with friends and one may not even drink. 

Bars can be found not only in down town Port-of-Spain, but notably around the west of Port-of-Spain in areas such as Woodbrook and St. James.                                                                                                                                 
While bars are a characteristic of the city, much can also be found in rural areas.

The term bar hopping is used a lot among young adults who visit the various bars, especially along the avenue in Woodbrook. It's actually a street lined with bars and clubs! Quite the liming and partying spot in the Port of Spain area.                                                                                                                         

In this part of the city you will find more modern building designs and structures, while within down town Port of Spain and St. James, it is common to find older structured buildings, which have been there for many years. Within Woodbrook which is mostly a residential area, the avenue has only recently been going under changes of development. Much of the houses in the area are being bought and renovated into businesses.           

Besides bars, there are also a lot of clubs. I'm not much of a party person but some "Trini's" really like to party! 

St.  James is another hot spot for liming and is known for the country's most famous bars. For instance "Smokey and Bunty" was quiet the liming spot back in the days. However, the night life seems to be shifting and gearing towards the more developed, vibrant and young vicinity of Woodbrook.

We are no Ireland, which is famous for their drinking culture, but like them our city is filled with bars and what they call "pubs" short for public house. Like them it can be said that our country is known for its night life, alcohol, and vast number of bars and clubs, which gives shape to our urban place.

  

Take a listen and buss ah wine to Machel Montano's: "On the Avenue" soca song for 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQv0Wc5IA5Q

Other bars within the city

Place of Recreation

Woodford Square, Port of Spain

I don't think there is much to do and places to go here in Trinidad, except if you are a party goer or nature explorer. Our parks are no Disney Land or Fun park although we do have our recent Harry's water park! Thank God for Harry right!?

The picture above shows one of the many parks that can be found within the city. It is more of a green park where one may go to relax or lime with friends on evenings. Some are often used to hold events during the carnival season and rest of the year. During the day you would often see people playing a game of checkers or chess. In the night it's pretty much a cozy spot for vagrants.

Besides parks there are also squares such as the Woodford square or the Independence square. Most of the parks and squares located thought the city were named in honor of someone. Like the Brian Lara Promenade located in Independence square which use to be known as the Plaza de la Marina. It is named after Trinidad's well known cricketer, Brian Lara, who once clocked 400 runs in a past test match.

These parks also act as green spaces. Much cities around the world tend to lack green spaces or recreational parks within their cramped high rising glass and concrete structures. While doing some reading, I found out about "pocket parks". Pocket parks are the solution to the lack of green space within such cities. They utilize small unused spaces like between large buildings and can be found in cities of Greece and other developed countries.

The parks withing Port of Spain are well known, utilized by everyday city dwellers and help give shape to the city's urban place.

Brian Lara Promenade

The promenade at night

A look at Pocket Parks.
http://www.globalsiteplans.com/environmental-design/lack-of-green-spaces-pocket-parks-are-the-solution/

The Eats of the City!

"Doubles" vender on the Brian Lara Promenade

I believe that one of the things "Trini" people like to do most besides liming...is to eat ! 
"A man like dey belly!".

While watching television this morning I stumbled upon one of my favorite TV shows, "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern". The show was featuring the city of San Francisco and its diverse and well, bizarre food culture. One of the things that struck me was the city's most talked about "Food Trucks". I have read that the city has over 150 food trucks that park along the sides of streets, serving delicious gourmet foods for a cheap price and has become a major characteristic of their city.

This instantly reminded me of the various food establishments found across Trinidad. Our past history has allowed our country to be filled with people from all over the world, bring with them their food culture.Some of which are just as bizarre as the foods in San Francisco, seen and eaten by Andrew Zimmern himself when he visited for a recording for his TV show.

Located all over the city and elsewhere, there are venders like in the picture above who are famous for selling "doubles", one of the country's most favored street foods. It is an East Indian delicacy from heaven. Not only known for making doubles, East Indians have established "roti and curry" food restaurants, which can be found all over the city. Recently on the rise and probably the next best thing are "gyros" and Arabic dish. Not really a favorite of mines, but the businesses is quite a success. It is owned by Syrians living in the country and venders can be found right around the corner from your favorite "doubles" stand. I am however, a sucker for Chinese food. The Chinese culture is very evident in the city and they too have a great number of established food restaurants.

There are also many other types of street foods found within the city including; nuts vender, ice cream, snow cone and coconut venders. I have also seen some new establishments of old buses being transformed into mobile restaurants selling Fried foods.

Besides for the ever growing foreign fast food industries such as KFC, Burger King and McDonalds that can be seen spreading throughout the country, our diverse cultures and historical foods has still remained prominent within the city.


You may enjoy looking at the episodes below!
Andrew Zimmern Bizarre Foods Trinidad episode 1.
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU1ghzRL-8g
Andrew Zimmern Bizzare Foods San Francisco episode 1.
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTpFXzADcZ0

Or viewing a local song about Doubles!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPecNRsq98A

My Introductory!

Hi yall, welcome to "city vibez" where you can learn something new about the urban space in my home country, Trinidad and Tobago.
Vibes/Vibez/Vybz/Vybes however you may want to spell it, is a 'Trini' short for Trinidadian slang which to me, I can't really explain but, has many different meanings. I was told by the urban dictionary it's actually a feeling, a feeling either good or bad.
But there are many different ways and times we "trini" people use the word "vibes". For example " Hey Jim, you feeling a party vibes"---->"Hey Jim, are you feeling the party feeling" or "We go vibes lata"---->"We will meet up later" or "We vybzing on the avenue?"---->"Are we hanging out down town?".
By the way, in no means am I here to give English lessons just trying to make things clear for those who may be wondering what the heck "vibez" mean.

Ok now to the boring stuff, I mean stuff on urbanization! I actually like studying human geography :)

Urban geography can be thought of as being the study of towns and cities as the home of people. Within the scope of urban geography there is the study of "urban place". Urban place refers to the spatial concentration of human economic, social, cultural and political activities distinguished from non-urban/rural places by both physical aspects such as population density or administrative definition and lifestyle characteristics. The country of Trinidad has people of many different races and ethnicity, such bringing about a mix of culture. For this blog I wish to focus on the urban place and try to show how our culture shapes the city and how our lifestyles are reflected in it.

Down town Port-of-Spain