Development in the city

This photo was taken in the "heart of San Fernando", a city in Trinidad. The reason I selected this specific area in the huge city, was to display the idea of the development. This scene caught my eyes because it was so strange seeing these two structures of such differing temperament sharing the same space in the city. A simple, small wooden dwelling is located adjacent to a modern administrative building. Urbanization and development is ever so prominent in the city. Once upon a time this area was possibly filled with buildings of this nature(wooden house), and little by little they were all removed in order to facilitate the construction of these high rise government or business structures. Sooner or later this old house will be replaced along with the surrounding bushes that serve nothing but an eye sore. Development is occurring so rapidly and will continue to around the world. especially in "developing countries"

According to Hall and Barrett, as former colonies have moved into post colonial independence, their cities have been shaped by two key processes linked to their colonial pasts. First, for many cities, the immediate post colonial period has been driven by a desire to "modernize" unfettered by colonial restrictions. Many places sought to develop their economies to incorporate new industrial and commercial functions, adding many of the forms of the industrial cities of Europe and North America to their landscapes, such as high-rise CBD office districts and factory areas. This has led some commentators to suggest that we are witnessing a period of urban convergence, where urban environments around the world are becoming increasingly similar and "placeless". Possibly what San Fernando is heading for....

References

Hall, Tim, and Heather Barrett .2012. Urban Geography. London and New York: Routledge Publishing.  (Page 47)                             

This photo was taken of High Street in San Fernando during the 1890s

Source: http://windybeaches.tumblr.com/post/16050129511/old-pictures-of-trinidad-and-tobago

I thought about sharing this picture of San Fernando from back in the day. It displays the drastic transformation of the city from then till now, in terms of development.
Isn't it amazing that we can look back at pictures and view the vast development the country has undertaken.....


Until next time!
Nirvana

Welcome all to my blog! The theme "City Dwellings" is explored through photographs capturing either the aspect or essence of the urban. One of the most obvious points to note about cities is that they are homes to lots of people! Indeed, housing forms is the most substantive land use within cities.

How do people choose where to live?
Why are city populations sorted according to social criteria like class and race?
Which groups are able to manipulate the geography of the city?

The answers to these questions and more will be communicated through my photography.....
stay tuned!

KEYWORDS

Urban - built-up area. Settlements are usually designated as urban once they have grown large enough to support industries which are not rural in nature.

City - A center of population, commerce, and culture; a town of significant size and importance.

Dwellings - a place of residence or a place to live in also called home or house.

Development - the process of gradually becoming bigger, better, stronger, or more advanced, growth.

Homelessness - without a home, people who have nowhere to live, and who often live on the streets.

Slum - A heavily populated urban area characterized by substandard housing, squalor, poor conditions where the very poor people live

Public Housing - Housing that is built, operated, and owned by a government and that is typically provided at nominal rent to the needy.

Abandoned House - the act of intentionally and permanently giving up, surrendering, deserting or relinquishing property or the premises

Luxury Housing - Sumptuous living or surroundings that is inessential but conducive to pleasure and comfort, expensive or hard to obtain.

Disparity - the condition or fact of being unequal, as in age, rank, or degree; difference.

Single Family Home - the building is usually occupied by just one household or family, and consists of just one dwelling unit or suite.

Source : http://www.ldoceonline.com/