According to the American Planning Association there are certain characteristics and guidelines for making great public spaces. One of which is that it reflects the local culture and history. Since Trinidad and Tobago is striving for developed nation status by the year 2020, I saw great relevance in the need for highlighting the value of urban public space as it is a core tenant of modern cities. Something that is often forgotten about by our local planners.
The social significance of public spaces has been discussed thoroughly in literature by numerous architects, planners, sociologist and geographers alike. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, public spaces' social value is wide ranging and lies in the contribution it makes to ‘people’s attachment to their locality and opportunities for mixing with others, and in people’s memory of places’ (Dines and Cattell et al., 2006). Places can provide opportunities for social interaction, social mixing and social inclusion, and can facilitate the development of community ties.
Jane Jacobs also argues that cities can provide something for everyone only because and only when they are created for everyone. Cultural and historical display of the people is thus a very important element in fostering the sense of attachment and social interaction that public spaces can bring about.
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Poster Highlighting accomplishments of Trinbagonians
Celebrating 50 years of Independance |
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| Brian Lara Statue on Brian Lara Promenade |
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| Panman on downtown street |
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| Tribute to Trinbagonian Olympians on the Waterfront |
To me these photos represent the bits of cultural displays found in and around Port of Spain. The picture of the statue of Brian Lara on the promenade was built long after the promenade was named after him, but it was felt that more needed to be done to honor such a great man who brought international recognition to Trinidad and Tobago through his cricketing prowess. As POS is a port of entry to cruise ships and the capital of Trinidad it should be common place. The poster highlighting great achievements of Trinbagonians that celebrates the country's 50th anniversary of Independence is also quite fitting as a display of history and culture, and although it was erected for a short term purpose, it has since been left up and brings great pride and knowledge to the cityscape not to mention the fact that it brightens up and covers the remnants of the demolished Salvatory Building (Trinidad's former tallest building which was less than 20 stories). The pan man on a busy afternoon street not only encoperates a lively display of the national instrument but it shows how people can use public space for their own benefit.
Trinidad and Tobago still has a long way to go in the reverence it holds for public space and what it can do to encoperate culture into the city landscape. Planners still need to be mindful of planning a city for people and not one for buildings and vehicles.
Resources
The Social value of public spaces.
Sharifa
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ReplyDeletea public space is a social space that is generally open an accessible to people.Public space is often seen as problem space in the modern city: it is now as it has always been a space of contention. It is the visible and accessible venue wherein the public and comprising institutions and citizens act in concert and enact rituals and make claims designed to win recognition. the pan man is creating meaningful public space by expressing his attitudes, asserting his claims and using it for his own good.
ReplyDeletethanks for your insightful comment kay!
ReplyDeletePreserving culture and creating history. Wonderful. What is the politics behind it?
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos.