URBAN AXIOM!!

Improved built environment, Tunapuna

What intersts me most about this photo is the fact that I am trying my best to imagine what structure was in its place before but .. . I  can not. Urban change is dynamic. The form of cities changes at different rates and are associated links between the socio-economic and cultural and political forces that shape the city; its form and structure. These links and what constitutes them have been observed to a great extent by mapping the streetscape along the Eastern Main road from in Tunapuna. Measuring from this, the major land uses were identified and the structure of the buildings. 

The main urban form recognized, and to a great extent that is in the Tunapuna area from a street or eye level view is one that is associated with post modern societies. Such societies are outlined as having three main characteristics; a fragmented ‘patchwork’ form, a post –suburban area with edge city developments and increased socio-economic polarization and ‘fortress’ landscapes    (Hall et al., 2010). From my observation however, it can be seen that this description can be contested as the area does not follow every characteristic ideally. For example, the Tunapuna area has all the defining characteristics except the increased socio economic polarization. Although it may not appear so to the onlooker such as myself, does it truly mean that it is not indeed present?  Is the politics of the authorities in the area geared towards trying to preserve a particular light of the city?

To me, even before I did the research,it was evedient that the area has been promoted as an attraction for tourists; those domestically (who would come from the southern part of the country), regionally and internationally.  It has especially been made easy for those wanting to avoid the hustle and bustle of the main city Port of Spain. Improvements in the physical environment through having planted trees being incorporated along with the built environment has significantly improved the image of the area. It has promoted sustainability and thus better living and working quality environment.

These, they mark the city edge. The area is therefore a contrasting representation of the majority of building and environment that further east in Tunapuna along the Eastern Main Road. This building along with those four building blocks further up the street where it is increasingly mixed commercial and institutional and some of the newest sets of buildings  mark the regenerated area.  It is therefore self-evident truth that this area is urban!

Reference:
Hall and Barrett,2012. Urban Geography. 4^th Edition. London and New York: Routledge Publishing.(pages 282-301 ).

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