PORT- OF- SPAIN: STILL MODERN HUH?

Despite the popular post- modern building in Port- of- Spain that has been displayed and discussed previously, the majority of the city and its land is covered by modernism and modern building infrastructure. This blog attempts to give an in depth discussion about the modern aspects of the city and the ways it is presented by the urban building infrastructure.

Of course the Caribbean had to become modern and follow the west. It is a common thought by islanders (Caribbean people) that the  that 'west is the best'. this notion had led many Caribbean people into thinking that anything that was being done in the west is needed to be done in the Caribbean in order for them to become better. just to mention, this notion is an ideal instilled into the Caribbean societies by the times of Colonialism which were discussed previously. now back to where we were at discussing, the Caribbean had engaged in industrialization after they saw it happening in the west. The modern building are at hand, very prevalent throughout the Caribbean and targeted in this blog post via capturing photographs and discussing Port- of- Spain.

Photograph of the Eric, Williams Financial Complex, Eric Williams Plaza, Port- of -Spain.

the building above, locally known as the twin towers is a pair of large skyscrapers which extends approximately 92 metres into the sky. Construction of these towers had been started in 1979 and was completed in 1986. at the time, the building earned the title of being the tallest building in Trinidad and Tobago (Through The Lens, Trinidad & Tobago, 2005). This building represents the modern economy. Modern buildings like this one employ steel, concrete and glass into the architectural designs of the building (Relph, 1981, p.68). The building shows no stylish entities in its design which is also part of the modernist approach to modernization, or in other terms “straight forward engineering” (Relph, 1981, p.69).  The Eric Williams Plaza also has its economic aspect which stems from the modernistic approach, where it is more cost efficient to construct a building without carved styles or implementation of ornaments, therefore saving money as the building is more of a simple design. the modern building does not target a niche market but instead it provides a service to the entire country. This is another modern aspect of the modern urban building infrastructure.

Photograph of a modern building being constructed in Port- of- Spain and another modern building in the background.

The furthest building from the photographer shows modernism in there design. The blocky like structure coins the definition of a modern building. in the forefront, you can see the steel, concrete and glass being married to form the modern style of the building. From the design of the building, the lookers on can classify the building in the photograph as modern.

The following photos demonstrates an array of buildings that appear to be modern based on the urban building infrastructure.

Photograph: Depicting a Modern Building, Down Town Port of Spain

Photograph: Depicting a Modern Building, Down Town Port of Spain

Photograph: Depicting The Government of Trinidad and Tobago Treasury 

Photograph: Depicting a Modern Building, Down Town Port of Spain

As an aspiring urban geographer with the passion to study the urbanism of Port- of- Spain I have just shared with you yet another aspect of the urban geography. Remember to be aware of the infrastructure around you the next time you walk near one. The building infrastructure is a direct representative of the city as it transits through the modern ideal. The buildings above show the modern aspect of Port- of- Spain. Interestingly, it is important to note also that these buildings are all found west Port- of- Spain. The unequal city was already discussed in "DUAL CITY: WITHIN ONE CITY?". The west continues to dominate the city when it comes to things tall and magnificent.

References

Abel Building Solutions. (2008). Retrieved April 9th, 2015, From http://abelbestcrete.com/nicholas-towers/.

Relph, Edward. (1981). The character of modern landscapes.

Through The Lens, Trinidad & Tobago. (2005). Retrieved March 29, 2015, From http://ttltt.com/architecture/twin_towers_one.php.