THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT IN TRINIDAD

by Avion Harvey

One of the entrances into the City

City of Port-of-Spain

Vehicles

"Urban Geography by Tim Hall and Heather Barrett. pg.6." It is stated: "Your personal experiences of, and knowledge about, cities are an important starting point for developing your understanding of 'the urban.' So in order to develop your critical understanding of cities you need to reflect on your experiences and make sense of these by contextualizing your experience and knowledge in relation to other information about cities." 

The Urban Environment encompasses all aspects of the city area. A wide range of various facets of the urban activity can be viewed.

In researching a definition of an urban environment, many discussions focused only on the negative aspects of the urban environment.

This blog seeks to highlight both the positive and negative variables that encompasses the "Urban Environment." This introduces my Theme of "The Issues of the Urban Environment!"

John John Towers

When one hears the word "Urban Environment," the first thing that probably comes to mind is that of commercial and administrative activities. The Urban Environment is such a complex system in operation within a country. It is the centre of gravity and a pinnacle of that nation.
"The first important idea is to place ourselves within the broader trends of urban development and change, or rather to consider the macro geographies of the urban world."

Cities portray a mixture of cultural, educational, economic, social, religious and creativity of the population. They are symbols of stability, which is linked to the political and moral authority adopted by the government. 

It is a population centre, the main hub/link for the entire country in the form of communication and transportation; key nodes; information systems and repositories of wealth financially, socially, culturally and human based.

Dominican Republic & Venezuela
 playing Softball

As one moves from one point to another within the city, varying functions and activities of differing levels can be observed. There are transitions in development levels from street to street. Each depicting the  economic levels that are being catered to, of persons either living within the city or those that are there for commercial/financial reasons. Indicating the  scales, purposes and catchment of persons being served from the street on which they are shopping. A wide range of facilities to satisfy the needs of all varying  income brackets. 

There is a constant movement of persons and vehicles. Many impatient, some unconcerned about their surroundings. Persons of all ages! Each movement focuses on performing a specific task or goal. Varying focus ranges from educational,employment, administrative, commercial, health, recreational or otherwise. There is always a reason for entering the City!

Football Training

Many marvels are observed as one moves through the city. Beautiful high rise buildings, colourful billboards and signs, historical statues and landmarks, churches, homes, burnt buildings, abandoned buildings, the smell of food in the air, litter, sounds of chatter, music, car horns, school children, traffic, persons from other countries and the homeless.