Street Art vs Vandalism ..

 Graffiti refers to writing scribbled, scratched or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public space. In Urban areas of Trinidad, these graphic images are seen as barbaric in nature to the general public, but upon further reflection, these images contain a great sense of emotion, history, trends, and even brotherhood.               To the reader who may be looking at graffiti and its implications of it, the question remains, is graffiti a form of art, a form or social commentary, or is it a pure act of vandalism?

These relic drawings and paintings around Port-of-Spain, not only gathered the attention of government, as they tried to get rid of these profound images, but also caught the eyes of international artists, and soon became a national spectacle. March 26^th, 2012 for example, Trinidad attracted one of the biggest street art projects under the German embassy in Port-of-Spain.  These Urban heartbeat projects are the stepping stones to the acceptance of street art in Port-of-Spain and by extension Trinidad.

What I find to be very interesting about 

Photo credits Brendon Taylor 

street art, is the ability of a single piece to have thousands of different meanings, trigger many types of feelings but can still be limited to one type of message the artist wish to depict.

Take for example the pieces of graffiti found in the Beetham in Trinidad, as such in the picture on the left. Although they are several stigmas and ideologies attached to areas such as the Beetham, the residence of these areas depicts outstanding talent in their ability to sketch

well identified images of their surroundings and tell a 1,000 page story in just one piece of art. Amazing!!

Without even going far away from our very own University of the West Inides, e see how street

Art can be used to tell many commentary stories on the professional level, and how these stories not only hold a special place in our hearts as current students, but will touch and revolutionised the hearts of individuals to come in the future.

So before you criticize profanity, gang signs, or even markings “about nothing “.. stop and ask yourself, what story did the artist wanted to tell me, and what did the artist felt when he told this “story”? By doing this, there is nodoubt 

Photograph by Joseph Weekes 

that we Caribbean people will have a greater understanding and respect for this Urban Art.

References

·         Guardian.co.tt ”Threading a thin line between street art and Graffiti”. Accessed 2^nd April, 2016.

         http://m.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2012-07-24/threading-thin-line-between-street-art-and-graffiti

·         https://thebookman.wordpress.com/2009/08/15/graffiti-social-commentary-vandalism/

Slow Your Role

The streets of Trinidad are filled with all types of road users, whether it may be cyclist, motorists or even pedestrians. However, the questions may be asked... Is there a hierarchy of power for these road users? Are the needs of a driver more important than the needs of a pedestrian? These questions are influenced based on the issue, that some motorist of Trinidad continue to break speed limits, neglect important traffic signals and pay little attention to the road as they are distracted by their fancy handheld devices, whilst driving.

Heavy traffic flow and congestion can be directly associated to urbanised and centralized areas. According to Robinson (1984), Traffic congestion results when there are too many vehicles for the available road space. He further stated that congestion is likely to be experienced with greatest severity in and around the major employment nodes such as the central business district during the morning and afternoon 

Photograph by Joseph Weekes 

(April 2nd, 2016) 

peaks. Port-of- Spain for example encounters similar activity during such hours, and as a result more road accidents occur.

Why is that? One may ask. The answer to that is simple, during these peak hours motorists are in a rush to get to work on time on mornings, and after a long day, are usually tired and want to reach their final destinations as quickly as possible. Thus, if such is not achieved at a suitable rate for the motorists, they become impatient and therefore break laws put in place by government to regulate road use, e.g. traffic lights, give way signs and other road signals. Motorists have also been reported to be travelling on the sidewalks of streets, completely disregarding the respect for the space of pedestrians. Moreover, these motorists not only put themselves at risk, but risk the lives of other road users in the process. In the column written by La-Vende (2014) in Trinidad and Tobago Guardian Online reported a pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run accident in Curepe, another urbanised area in Trinidad on March 16^th 2014, where an eyewitness said that the driver ran a red-light and struck a middle-aged man in the process. This careless act exemplified by the motorists, not only shows insubordination towards laws and regulations of the country, but also absolutely no care or remorse for the pedestrian which he struck.

Arrive Alive! Is the cry of governments worldwide as they urged motorists to adhere to road regulations, and be pay attention to other road users. “There is no need to speed”, said the Arrive Alive President Sharon Inglefield as he expressed in one of his articles.

No one road user is superior to the next and therefore each individual purpose for being on the road should be taken into consideration and valued, thus a conscious effort should be made to exercise caution when using the road, which in turn result in you saving someone’s’ life and even your own.

“Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer”- Dudley Moore

References

•        Robinson, Ross.1984. “Congestion: What is it ? “. Problems In the Urban Environment: Traffic                Congestion and its Effects. Accessed 7^th April, 2016.
•       http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1013&context=wollgeo
• ·         http://www.arrivealivett.com/index.php?page=road-users
• ·         http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-03-18/pedestrian-killed-hit-and-run

Blurred Lines

Woman with parrot on her shoulder on Henry Street.

(Photo taken by Brendon Taylor, February 12, 2016)  

        Urban sprawl, which refers to the spreading of urban and suburban areas over more rural land, has blurred the boundaries between what is considered the city, the suburbs and the rural. From our own experience in Barbados, the city of Bridgetown extends from the central business district of the capital along the south-western corridor and into the southern parish of Christ Church. For this reason, there have been many debates in determining the boundaries of the city of Bridgetown. In accordance with the views of Rojas (1989), investments in transport and communication infrastructure for both Trinidad and Barbados have redefined the region (suburban and rural areas) as more than a periphery. Improving transport and communication networks has taken advantage of the small size of these countries and provided opportunities for unlimited accessibility. Therefore, the villages and small towns which comprise the region are no longer be isolated or independent of each other. Rather, there is a higher degree of networking between the city and the region. But how then do we separate the city from the region?

       One of the features of a city is the character and personality of its streets and the ability of the street to provide interesting visual experiences. When we consider visual spectacles, our minds often wander to special events such Carnival, religious celebrations and extravagant parades. However, the pedestrians of Port-of-Spain provide the streets with a memorable character on a daily basis. This was our experience which we will never forget when we encountered a woman with a living parrot on her shoulder on Henry Street in Port-of Spain. What was even more fascinating was that the parrot could speak! Unbothered by the stares of surprised on-lookers, the parrot and owner casually made their way along the street. This was our opportunity for comic relief.

       Despite our laughter, we recognized that individuals such as the lady in the photo aid us in defining and characterizing what is the city in the face of urban sprawl. Where else would you see a woman walking the streets with a parrot on her shoulder? Where else would you find the man with the guitar singing to make a living? Where else would you hear the vendor screaming "get your fruits!"?  Definitely not in a suburban or rural area. We therefore recognize these individuals as unsung heroes because they help us in identifying urban places through their activities and lifestyles.

References

Rojas, Eduardo. 1989. "Human Settlement of the Eastern Caribbean". CITIES 1: 243-258. Butterworth & Company (Publishers) Limited.

 

       

Man's Best Friends

       For centuries, dogs have been described as "man's best friend". The canine species is an intelligent one and as pets, with good care and attention they provide both companionship and security for their owners. For the stray dogs which roam the streets of Port-of-Spain, their lives are much more difficult. Lacking owners, the typical day for a stray on the streets of the city involves a search for food which is usually in the form of scraps, the possibility of death or persecution when they wander onto private properties, the fear of capture and the search for shelter. According to Warner (2013), there are currently over a thousand stray dogs are captured and taken to the Trinidad and Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA). There are captured in the urban areas of Port-of-Spain, Laventille and Tunapuna. The main reasons for the high number of strays in Trinidad includes the high costs of pet maintenance, there are too many animals in the household, the owner is migrating or has died or that the animal has become ill or pregnant. Perhaps the most significant reason for the high number is the lack of spaying to achieve population control. In addition, the presence of stray dogs is a reflection of the socio-economic status of households in an urban area. In fact,  two systematic whole studies of Baltimore revealed that the majority of stray dogs where located in high-density, low-income areas whether occupied by blacks or whites. (Beck, 1973) 

   

       In their state as strays, they become one of man's greatest enemies rather than being a best friend. Stray dogs provide an inconvenience for motorists, facilitate the spread of diseases such as rabies via bites and create untidy surroundings through interference with garbage in search of food. Yet, there has been a call to give these stray dogs a second opportunity at fulfilling their purpose as companions. According to Ramnath (2012), the desire to provide a second opportunity for the strays involves a number of improvements. In the first instance, there is a need for advanced, adequate training and education for handlers in the art of approaching and dealing with an animal. In the second case, she states that there needs to be the implementation of modern technologies to replace outdated tools so that animals can be handled in the most humane manner possible. Finally, Ramnath (2012) suggests that there needs to be the revision of legislation in order to give the strays a greater chance for rehabilitation. The Dog Act of 1918 states that "where any stray dog seized has been detained for five clear days the seizure or where a notice served in accordance for five clear days after the service, and has not been claimed by the owner and all expenses incurred in respect of its detention have not been paid by the owner, then the local authority may cause the dog to be sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of." (Ministry of Legal Affairs, 2014) The revision of the Act would provide a greater period of time for the stray dogs to find a new owner and reduce the possibility of the animal being euthanized. In addition, there is a need for local authorities to show a greater level of response to reports of stray dogs acting as nuisances or threats. (Ramnath, 2013)

       Other than being rehabilitated as pets, there is no doubt that with the appropriate care and training, these stray dogs can offer a variety of services provided that they are in reasonably good condition. This was recently evident in Brazil where former abandoned stray dogs were employed as "ball dogs". This occurred during the 2016 Brazil Open tennis tournament where dogs which were previously mistreated were taken from shelters, trained and used to retrieve balls for players during the matches. Apart from the dogs becoming distracted by the new environment, their introduction was a major success and a welcomed initiative by the people of Brazil. (Sanderson, 2016) In Trinidad, we may not host major tennis tournaments but they are a range of services that these dogs can provide. Such services include providing help to the physically challenged, employment in therapy for patients in stressful situations to provide calmness, mascots for sporting teams and police work. We therefore recommend that these initiatives be researched and tried so that all dogs have the opportunity to be man's best friend.

References

Beck, Alan M. 1973. The Ecology of Stray Dogs: A Study of Free-ranging Urban Animals. Purdue University Press: Indianna.

Ministry of Legal Affairs. 2014. " DOGS ACT CHAPTER 67:54". Page last updated December 31, 2014. http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/67.54.pdf.

Ramnath, Kristel Marie. 2012. " Revise Dog Act of 1918". Accessed April 5, 2016. http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2012-02-05/revise-dog-act-1918.

  

Sanderson, Jaime. 2016. " Strays given new lease of life as ‘ball dogs’ at Brazil Open". Accessed April 5, 2016. http://metro.co.uk/2016/03/01/strays-given-new-lease-of-life-as-ball-dogs-at-brazil-open-5726239/.

Warner, Tremaine. 2013. "TTSPCA to the rescue". Accessed April 5, 2016. http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2013-05-22/ttspca-rescue.

Prevention is better than cure

A snapshot of the litter on Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain.

(Photo taken by Brendon Taylor, April 01, 2016)

       You have probably heard the expression "cleanliness is next to godliness" at some point in your lifetime. Although this statement is not explicitly found in scripture, if it is true then Port-of-Spain cannot be considered a "godly city". Walking along the streets of the city, we observed the improper disposal of waste along the sidewalks and the gutters of the roads. The photo taken above is just a snapshot of what was seen. Objects comprising the waste including plastic bottles, Styrofoam containers of food, plastic wrappers and plastic as well as paper bags. It would seem as if pedestrians and motorists traversing the city clear their conscience by believing that one piece of waste can do no harm or that someone will clean the mess made. This is not to say that each individual who passes through the city is guilty of contributing to the garbage on the streets.  Rather, it is a call for the members of our society who display negligence to be more aware of the ramifications of their actions.

       From an environmental perspective, the improper disposal of waste facilitates the introduction of vermin carrying diseases which threaten public health and the problem has already materialized. In July 2015, Mayor Tim Kee Raymond developed an initiative for the eradication of rodents in the city. The mayor narrowed-down the major contributors to litter and indiscriminate refuse on the streets to be illegal vendors, homeless individuals searching for a meal and lawless pedestrians. Recognizing that untidy surroundings would breed diseases and bacteria, the mayor reinforced the need for the TT $2 million initiative and the increase in the police complement on the streets of the city from approximately 60 to 120 officers. (Loubon, 2015) In addition, the improper disposal of waste has severely hindered the process of drainage when rainfall events occur over the city. It is common knowledge among citizens that the drainage system of the city is in need of an upgrade but this is not the main issue. In 2004, The Drainage Committee Chairman of the Board of Engineering emphasized the need for individual citizens to keep the drains of the city clean which was previously implored in the same year by the director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dave Williams. (Best, 2004) More than a decade later, our society is still struggling to understand that prevention is better than cure. In fact, our recollection of angry citizens blaming the government for not adequately maintaining the drainage system of the city during flooding in the latter part of 2015 is a testimony of the lack of understanding.    

  

       From an urban geographer's perspective, the improper disposal of waste has decreased the value of public spaces in the city. In a developing world, public spaces have been under threat because of the lack of expansion of park and open space systems. Declining expansion of public spaces has been a result of the changing perceptions of individuals, both national governments and regular citizens on their value. Further compounding the negative perceptions of people has been the invasion of the spaces by the homeless, the presence of graffiti, trash and vandalism. (Bannerjee, 2001) Ironically, as much as it appears that no one wants to maintain the cleanliness of the streets, no one wants to spend time in a polluted area where there are piles of garbage and rodents present. For this reason, the pollution of the streets can also can be linked to the retreat of the upper and middle class to the outskirts of the city. The streets gated communities of the suburbs are the definition of a contrast when compared to the streets of urban spaces. But why is this? Our educated is informed by Mycoo (2006) who states the members of gated communities in Trinidad are involved in self-governance or micro-governance. They ensure that they provide their own goods and services for their satisfaction which include ensuring that the streets of their communities are clean.

       In a similar manner, the wider society needs to take responsibility for their actions and simply keep the streets clear of garbage. It is time to stop depending on the service provided by the government to clean up the mess.     

References

Bannerjee, Tridib. 2001. "The future of public spaces: Beyond invented streets and reinvented places". Journal of the American Planning Association: Winter 67 (1): 9-24.

Best, Gerard. 2004. " Why Port of Spain floods". Accessed April 01, 2016. https://gerardbest.wordpress.com/2004/12/03/why-port-of-spain-floods/.

Loubon, Michelle. 2015. " Tim Kee: $2m to wipe out city’s rats". Daily Express. Accessed April 01, 2016. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150717/news/tim-kee-2m-to-wipe-out-city8217s-rats.

Mycoo, Michelle. 2006. "The retreat of the upper and middle classes to gated communities in the poststructual adjustment era: the case of Trinidad". Environment and Planning 38: 131-148. doi: 10.1068/a37323.               

Champion !!!

       The streets are alive with the chants of "Champion!" following the recent, historical triumph by the West Indies in the 2016 ICC World Cup Finals against England. The West Indies team members are champions once again, DJ Bravo is a champion, Gayle is a champion and everyone in the region feels like a champion. Written by West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, the song "Champion" has left no corner untouched, taking the streets of Port-of-Spain by storm. The dance has become even more potent, gaining global recognition for its simplicity in conjunction with its West Indian flare.

West Indian Players from Trinidad Victory Motorcade

   

   In hindsight, the virality of the song is simply an outcome of its purpose. The aim of the song was not only to boost pride among West Indian players but to recognize everyone who is a champion in their own field or their own right. The song has a simple message, one that has been

sent before in song. So think about it....why do we as Caribbean people identify with the song so well? What's the difference between "We are the Champions" written and released by the British rock band Queen in 1977 and "Champion" by Dwayne Bravo in 2016? The answer is provided by Bravo is the song itself when he states that "we love soca and dancehall".

       According to Leu (2000), soca was developed in Trinidad during the mid 1970's as a 

Photo by Brendon Taylor (Sangre Grande) 

sub-genre of calypso music by Lord Shorty who is more affectionately known as "the Father of Soca". His experimentation with the fusion of Indian rhythms and calypso, lead him to increase the tempo of the music and add a laid-back base line with Indian percussion. The evolution of the calypso genre by Lord Shorty has evolved even further in the modern era where soca has been divided into two categories which are Power soca and Groovy soca. Again, the difference between the two types lies in the tempo of the music. Power soca music is very fast, with tempos of around 160 beats per minute. The music is largely instructional in nature where singers opt to motivate crowds to respond through dance. Therefore, Power soca music is largely music to jump, wave and "wine" to. In contrast, Groovy soca is much slower in tempo, hovering at around 115 beats per minute. This type of soca allows the audience to slowly dance and sway while giving the artist an opportunity to address a wider range of topics in the song. (Cazaubon, 2016 ) The song "Champion" is a prime of example of the Groovy soca form, allowing the listener to sway and enjoy a dance.

      

     Childe (1950) has stated that the concept of a city "is notoriously hard to define". However, in the context of Port-of-Spain and other cities of the Caribbean by extension, the city is not only defined by a historical change in economic development but by what we see and hear. From reggae or dancehall in Kingston, Jamaica to the sounds of Zouk in Castries, St. Lucia, our indigenous forms of music are a fundamental part of our experience when we walk the streets of urban spaces. Furthermore, in the same way that calypso evolved over the years into soca as a living organism, we as Caribbean societies are dynamic in nature. As the creators and ambassadors of the music, we are defined by our music. Therefore, music in our urban landscapes gives us a sense of place whether we choose to dance, move or heads to the base or simply sing along. For individuals living in the Caribbean diaspora, hearing these indigenous forms of music provides them with an opportunity to identify with their respective homelands. We therefore believe that our music is engraved in our DNA as a people; it is more than an industry but a way of life!    

References

Cazaubon, Mantius. 2016. "What is Soca Music". Accessed April 2, 2016. http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/13132/entertainment/what_is_soca_music.html.

Childe, V. Gordon. 1950. "The Urban Revolution". Town Planning Review 21 (1): 3:17. Liverpool University Press.

Leu, Lorraine. 2000. "Raise Yuh Hand, Jump up and Get on Bad!": New Developments in Soca Music in Trinidad". Latin American Music Review 21 (1): 45-58. http://www.jstor.org/stable/780413 http://www.jstor.org/stable/780413.

Am I my brother's keeper ?

     

   

Photo taken of a socially displaced man on Frederick Street. 

Photograph by : Brendon Taylor 

 

      Homelessness is the term used to describe “an individual who lacks housing (without regard to whether the individual is a member of a family), including an individual whose primary residence during the night is a supervised public or private facility that provides temporary living accommodations, and an individual who is a resident in transitional housing.” (National Health Care for the Homeless Council, 2016) Walking the streets of Port-of-Spain, and by extension cities across the world, you are guaranteed to encounter a homeless individual; itis a global phenomenon. In fact, we have all moved to the opposite side of the street or taken a detour in order to avoid social interaction with the homeless individual on the street. The majority of pedestrians, whether tourists or locals, view homeless individuals as a nuisance, annoyance or a hazard. In addition, Bannerjee (2001) states that the homeless have contributed to the intimidation and expropriation of the public, forcing the public to reduce the use of the public realm. Ultimately, the presence of homeless individuals predominantly in urban areas has adversely affected the quality and supply of the public spaces. 

   

   In Trinidad, the major causes of homelessness are mental illness, drug abuse and poverty. (Gopie, 2012) In the case of mental illness, families and public medical facilities are unable to adequately cater for their special needs. According to Gopie(2012), "With no services and no means of dealing with mentally disturbed relatives, many families end up being unable to cope and their loved ones end up on the streets." Again in the instance of substance abuse, there are no proper means to deal with drug addiction. To compound the situation, relatives who account for family pride and reputation forsake addicts, relegating them to the streets. Thirdly, poverty which is an outcome of unemployment, prevents individuals from sustaining their livelihoods. In relation to the homeless, poverty prevents these individuals from meeting monthly payments for housing such as rent or mortgage. 

    

   What is the state doing to eradicate homelessness? What facilities have been provided? Gopie (2012) states that the "few State facilities that exist to deal with mental illness are in a dilapidated state, using outdated practices and methods". It simply should not be that a country which is oil-rich, moving towards development and modernization lacks the ability to medically treat the mentally ill. Why do we ostracize those who are homeless? Our views on those who are socially displaced seldom remind us that they are human beings too. Instead, we view them as sub-human but mere parasites of society who are looking to sustain themselves on "handouts". The argument is not that some socially displaced individuals are not lazy but that they need to be empowered. We never take the opportunity to reflect and switch places with the man or woman on the street. There is no doubt that we would desire a second chance to redeem ourselves from past mistakes. Gopie (2012) agrees with this view stating that "Cultural and social attitudes concerning the perception of the homeless and their rights need to shift."Despite the fact that the government has an important role to play in the eradication of homeless, it is the responsibility of each citizen to contribute an individual effort. Our humanity must overpower the capitalist mentality and overwhelm us to become "our brother's keeper" in our homes and communities. 

   

   The fact of the matter is that homeless individuals devalue a public space or bring a sense of discomfort to pedestrians. However, ensuring a sense of belonging and security for all citizens in the public realm while maintaining the prestigious image of the city cannot be achieved by ostracizing the homeless. Rather, eradicating homelessness in our society requires us to address the causes of social displacement as society. Until we recognize this, a life on the streets will continue to prove insufferable for the socially displaced and uncomfortable for the pedestrians that encounter them. 

 

 

References

Bannerjee, Tridib. 2001. "The future of public spaces: Beyond invented streets and reinvented places". Journal of the American Planning Association: Winter 67 (1): 9-24. 

 

Gopie, Rajiv. 2012. " Tackling homelessness in T&T". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Accessed March 20, 2016.http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/Tackling_homelessness_in_T_T-160782245.html. 

 

National Health Care for the Homeless Council. 2016. " What is the official definition of homelessness?". Accessed March 22, 2016. https://www.nhchc.org/faq/official-definition-homelessness/.  

2 Fast, Too Furious: Modernization vs. History

      In an attempt to stimulate development, life on the streets in the city has ultimately become a race against time. Consequently, as individuals attempt to complete their busy routines on a daily basis, they often fail to appreciate the relationship between place, space and time. Urban spaces are characterized by high levels of activity and the fast-pacedmovement of individuals. In a study conducted by Bedford (2007), a comparison between data from 1994 and 2007 revealed a 10 percent increase in the speed of movement of individuals in 32 cities. 

The heightened activity and increased speed with which individuals conduct their affairs is synonymous with the advancement of technology and development in cities. In fact, the study published by Bedford (2007) indicated that the fastest walkers along the streets of cities were citizens of Asian countries who comprise the "tiger" economies which are quickly developing. In the context of theCaribbean, the capital city boasts a higher rate of activity because of the greater complexity of urban services provided. In an analysis of the spatial patterns in Eastern Caribbean countries, Rojas (1989) stated "Given the fact that only a few intermediate size towns exist, and they also have relatively low levels of functional complexity, it follows that the majority of the population gravitates over the capital cities to satisfy a high proportion of their demand for urban services."

    

     On one of our visits to Port-of-Spain, one aspect of the relationship between place, space and time observed was the historical influence on architecture in the city. According to Discover Trinidad (2008), the original inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago were Amerindian tribes from the South American mainland. However, the island was rediscovered by Christopher Columbus, who claimed the island for Spain on his third voyage in 1498. The arrival of the Spanish who brought war, enslavement and disease to the indigenous people resulted in genocide. One of the methods the Spanish settlers used to achieve superiority over the natives was the imposition of Christianity via Catholicism. This was evident in the 18thCentury when the Spanish Empire issued the Cedula of Population. The Cedula of Population was a law encouraging population growth through immigration, offering incentives such as free grants for land and exemption from the majority of taxes. (National Library and Information System Authority, 2016)  In tangent with the Haitian revolution, the legislation facilitated the migration of mainly French planters and their slaves provided that they were of the Roman Catholicdenomination.  

   

    By the end of the 18th Century, the English had conquered the island but Trinidad was still characterized by an expanding and predominantly Roman Catholic population. For this reason, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was completed in 1832 to accommodate the growing Catholic population. (MacLean, 2009) The cathedral which was constructed during colonization by England, features the Gothic Revival architectural style inspired by the medieval Gothic style.Originating in England, the Gothic Revival architectural style emphasized a movement of romantic and picturesque architecture which reflected a desire for prestige, grandeur and beauty by the public. (Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, 2015) Elements of the building include decorative crowns which catch the eye as the extend to the heavens, towers, pointed-arched windows, battlements and stained glass windowson the interior. Given the presence of French immigrants, the Cathedral also boasts elements of French architecture including a tall doorway and stone balustrades. According to Besson (2012), other features of the French architectural style brought by the immigrants included jealousied windows, wooden chattel houses, pitched roofs and extensive lattice woodwork. In addition, Port-of-Spain is comprised of buildings of the Spanish Colonial architectural style such as the "Cabildo" located on Sackville Street. 

    

    Similarly to Bedford (2007) in his study, we observed that our appreciation for the architecture and history was not shared with the majority of pedestrians. Rather, the appreciation was overshadowed by the speed of movement. It would seem as if our desire for modernization and development has devalued our sense of identity since we do not value our history. This observation was not based on the hustle of pedestrians but the movement away from traditional architecture in favour of modern architecture. Development is necessary but not at the expense of our historical journey which shaped the society of the country into what it is today. Therefore, there is a responsibility for all individuals to exhibit an interest in the relationship between our urban spaces and time rather than solely focusing on what the city can offer.

        

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

 Photograph by : Brendon Taylor 

References

Bedford, Keith. 2007. " World's cities step up pace of life in fast lane". Life. Accessed March 21, 2016. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pedestrians-speed-study-idUSL0235779220070502.

Besson, Gerard A. 2012. " Architecture in Trinidad and Tobago". The Caribbean History Archives. Accessed March 20, 2016. http://caribbeanhistoryarchives.blogspot.com/2012/03/architecture-in-trinidad-and-tobago.html.

DiscoverTrinidad. 2008. "History of Trinidad". Page last modified May 20, 2008. http://trinidad.discover-tt.com/history.html.

MacLean, Geoffrey. 2009. "Cathedral of Immaculate Conception". Places of Worship. Accessed March 21, 2016. http://citizensforconservationtt.org/main/index.php/builtherit/powbuilt/97-cathedral-of-the-immaculate-conception.

National Library and Information System Authority. 2016. "Slavery and Emancipation in Trinidad and Tobago". Emancipation Day. Accessed March 20, 2016. http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/EmancipationDay/tabid/189/Default.aspx?PageContentID=224.

Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. 2015. "Gothic Revival Style 1830-1860". Accessed March 20, 2016. http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/portal/communities/architecture/styles/gothic-revival.html. 

Rojas, Eduardo. 1989. "Human Settlement of the Eastern Caribbean". CITIES 1: 243-258. Butterworth & Company (Publishers) Limited.