Brian Lara Promenade is ideally a place in which all of the masses converge as they make their way into the city of Port of Spain. Hence this area is a synonymous social hub, an open space within the complex urban zone that allows for socialization. Here another facet of an urban place is displayed.This photo above epitomizes this facet, showcasing a group of gentlemen as they share this space together on a Saturday morning, utilizing the calm atmosphere before the city begins awakening with life and the bustle of commuters and pedestrians, as they welcomed their documentation and involvement in this commentary.
We are introduced to another class of persons ( socio- economic class) and the way in which they utilize the urban place. We can assume that these are middle class senior citizens and this may reflected the way they choose to use the urban space, as a social gathering on a Saturday morning, in a more isolated area of the city that allows for a serene atmosphere.
Such spaces and their uses are directly tied to Urban Geography in its analysis of urban spaces. Open spaces can be assessed under the theories of Banerjee ( The Future of Public Spaces, Banerjee 2001). With contemporary trends of globalization, urbanization and the resulting modernization within societies, the value of public spaces as stated have deteriorated as city scapes no longer hold open spaces in high regard due to public needs and demands.
This brings forth the question of the public’s regard for open spaces in Trinidad’s capital of Port of Spain. Are these spaces truly utilized and appreciated ? Are they just spaces that persons move through in the motions of their daily routines ? Or are they accepted as transient zones ? In the place of Brian Lara Promenade and the atmosphere of Independence Square, as well as Woodford Square, not too far away, this may not be the case for those who are familiar with its historical significance to the country’s political and colonial history. On this basis of assumption, we can look at this public space from the perspective of those who typically dwell here by choice, and as a means of a social gathering ( as pictured above) that they recognize this significance as they are present and embracing.
The shift of public lifestyles through concepts of globalization , changing in ideals in social value shape public spaces and the future demands . With the inclusion of increased cultural erosion and public vs private land, urban landscapes are becoming increasingly chaotic and transient in their growth.The priority of planners in the future will hold no value to the social appreciations of the past as they indulge in a capitalistic frame of mind.
In Amanda Bruden's " How Public Spaces Make Cities Work" for TED Talks, the New York based Urban Planner professes her passion for tiny pocket parks in New York City, and indulges viewers on why they make the ever growing city more livable through examples such as her involvement in the development of Manhattan water front parks and New York's ever popular 1.45 mile long elevated railway park ; The Highline.
She questions in the essence of the chaos of an urban place : How do you turn a park into a place that people want to be?
In her closing statement she ties the public space to the urban space, in a way that all urban planners should heed for future development :
" No matter how popular and successful a public space may be, it can never be taken for granted. Public spaces always need virulent champions, not only to claim them at the outset for public use, but to design them for the people that use them, then to maintain them to ensure that they are for everyone ; that they are not violated, invaded, abandoned or ignored.
If there's any one lesson that I have learned in my life is a city planner,it is that public spaces have power; it's not just a number of people using them, its the even greater number of people who feel better about their city just knowing that they are there. Public space can change how you live in a city, how you feel about a city, whether you choose one city over another.Public spaces are one of the most important reasons why you stay in a city.
I believe that a successful city is like a fabulous party, people stay because they're having a great time. "
