AESTHETIC VALUE OF INFRASTRUCTURE? IS THERE ANY?

    

Do buildings have any aesthetic value to you? Throughout the Caribbean, an array of buildings are represented due to their influences, common migration and rich history. Many tourists visit the Caribbean for the aesthetics that the islands have both naturally occurring and the man made ones. Despite the fact that nature may be more aesthetic for some, there is still some appreciation by the tourists and the locals for the aesthetic that the building infrastructure provides. In Port- of- Spain, many building show and represent an aesthetic so rich that many people worldwide admire them. Let's speak about aesthetic while we pay attention to the infrastructure.

Photograph showing the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port- of- Spain.

The well laid out building infrastructure contributes to the livelihood of urban life in the city. The picture depicted above shows high aesthetics at the Hyatt Waterfront. The building is surrounded by a very beautiful scenery which attract people from all over the country and the world. The planting of trees and flowers in front of the building helps boosts the beauty around the building ensuring that there is a 'green' finish. This is an ideal location to be included when touring Port- of- Spain especially during traditional festivals (About Travel, 2015). If a city is attractive, people would want to return there just for the aesthetics. 

Photograph of St. Clair Medical Centre, Port- of- Spain.

Presently, most institutions try to boost the aesthetics of their business to attract more customers. St. Clair Medical Centre, like other businesses in Port- of- Spain, is surrounded with plants. Plants are placed in front of the building to increase the beauty of the area. The structure of the building is also made attractive with the uses of concrete and glass. This building is a modern one (see post about modern buildings) (Relph, 1981). The Aesthetics of the City which attracts people seems to be a psychological phenomenon as people perceive things to be of a certain way which attracts them and allow them to interact with it. (Lynch, 1984, p. 151) This change for aesthetics of the city took form after the industrialization era which the main focus was getting people to return to the city. (Boyer, 1988, p. 49)

Photograph of  White Hall, St. Clair, Port- of- Spain.

Historic preservation of buildings also adds aesthetic value to the city as it beautifies the area with its fine architecture and very strong structure (Boyer,1998, p. 49). The luxury development of the St. Clair area together with the introduction of the higher class, there was need to increase the aesthetic of the area and by extent, Port- of- Spain. This shows that the move for increasing the value of the city as a whole is coming to pass and it ensures to include the aesthetics. 

After reading this blog, you should realize that the beauty of the city is important for attracting and returning people to the city. It is an initiative to invite more people to enter the city and live in such a nice place. The aesthetic value is well displayed through the building infrastructure and the aesthetic value can well be analyzed within the city. Remember, the richer class resides west Port- of- Spain and all the above mentioned buildings are west Port- of- Spain. it is difficult for you to locate an aesthetic building east Port- of- Spain as the residents and building owners don't have money for this luxury. West residents and building owners have a lot of money to provide and create luxury living.

I ask you again, do you think that buildings add aesthetic value? I encourage you to pay attention to building infrastructure around you. Feel free to share your photos with us here.

References

About Travel. (2015). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from http://gocaribbean.about.com/od/trinidadhotelsandresorts/gr/Hyatt-Regency-Trinidad-A-Luxury-Downtown-Hotel-In-Port-Of-Spain-Trinidad.htm.

Boyer, M, Christine. (1988). The Return of Aesthetics to City Planning. Society,

 25, 49-56

Lynch, Kevin. (1984). Reconsidering The Image of the City. Environment , development, and public planning (p. 151- 161).

Relph, E. (1981). The Character of Modern Landscapes. Rational landscapes and humanistic geography (p. 63- 105). London: Crown Helen.