Special Post: Placecheck development of the CBD (POS) and the developing suburb; Belmont.

Urban Design Alliance is representative of a large group of environmental professionals which seeks to obtain a subjective assessment for improving development strategies. What makes the CBD successful is having full access to resources centred through the networked transportation routes and a firm economic base, like that of Port-of-Spain. Touring the CBD of Port-of-Spain, I was intrigued by the multi-faceted culture exposed to mixing on the streets. The collage below sums the experience of Port-of-Spain's CBD, Woodford Square, as the epitome of cultural diversity and the different ways in which space is used by various members of the city.

Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain
Photo Courtesy: Cherise Ali and Shalisa Ali

‘Town’ referred to by the local is the melting pot of our culture which persists till date as an expression of heritage and advances as time progresses. Historic architectural designed buildings stand firm in a society that has stepped up in the world into adopting modern cultures. The music danced in the atmosphere creating a sense of comfort of the ‘home’, as Scantlebury claims Port-of-Spain his heart. There is a social mixing, displaying a ray of difference in motion regarding the hustle and bustle of the young versus leisure of the elderly folks. 

Despite many positives shown by the women plaiting each other’s hair, and vagrants line the sidewalks, but nevertheless, this CBD, poses several threats to society regarding the inequalities and congestion resulting from such heightened development. 

Greater protection should be geared toward the environmental quality as pollution rampages the streets as a result in inconsiderate individuals who carelessly dispose of garbage. Additionally, greater surveillance by traffic wardens would necessitate an ease of access of traffic throughout the CBD. I believe greater investment should be placed into proper planning of the land uses and even reconstruction of substandard houses.

The Suburb of Port-of-Spain, Belmont
Photo Courtesy: Cherise Ali and Shalisa Ali

Moving away from the CBD of Port-of-Spain, lies the suburb known as Belmont; the ‘soul’ of Mr. Scantlebury. Narrow streets line network through the densely populated sector, with houses in close proximity to each other such that they seem to be built on top each other. 

 At the end of the colonial era when former plantation workers were relieved of the slavery-type treatment, random houses with no sense of planning were constructed in Belmont, at that time known as ‘Freetown’, before roads began to take shape. This congestion brought about with it a neighbourhood such that it really took a village to raise a child.

Belmont however, is plagued with the issues of crime and flooding as a result of the lack of planning within the community. But, due to the lack of development, Belmont has had several instances of criminal activities as school children are unattended during the post school hour period. The stigma placed on the district of Belmont comes from those outside who know nothing regarding the resources that lie within the community. Improper drainage systems that are current issues for the residents of Belmont are not new, but requires serious attention.

Apart from that, Belmont; the first emancipation village, is home to the origins of distinctive Carnival traits and calypso as seen in the above collage, as it cherished its architectural, historical and cultural heritage. Places such as the Ken Morris Mas Camp and the Trinidad Theatre Workshop embraces its culture and promotes the growth of what is needed to be preserved today. Attempts to preserve the culture and restore the community are the vehicles for economic and sustainable development of Belmont. Education brought about through the tours set up by Mr. Scantlebury encourages outsiders to view Belmont from a different angle, removing any plagues attached.

According to Urban writer and activist, Jane Jacob’s principles of good neighbourhoods, disorder enhanced the characteristics of the area, whether it be, in this case, Port-of-Spain’s CBD or its’ suburb Belmont. She saw the city as a place of celebration, and as such can be used to relate to the CBD and its suburban areas. The CBD comprises several uses inclusive of commercial, residential, industrial, service, political and even cultural and historical. Belmont is however on the verge on having that mixture through development strategies that have been considered, and consists solely of cultural activities such as the Trinidad Theatre Workshop and the Mas Camps. POS also shows city dynamics in terms of building design and construction as opposed to Belmont which is centred on colonial-type housing, which are more or less compacted into a network of  narrow streets. Belmont, unlike the CBD is noted to posses streets with several short blocks and numerous corners. Here is the base of interaction of villagers from time to time, encouraging some form of social mixing. Lastly, fur to the functionality of the CBD, it is a densely populated area, and as such is an application of JJ's fourth principle. Based on these principles, the CBD may be ranked higher that Belmont such that its functions are deemed as a better neighbour in terms of the CBD..