Urban Design

URBAN DESIGN

Photo: Harris Promenade, San Fernando.

Citing from the San Fernando City Corporation Spatial Development Plan, the city of San Fernando, form an urban design perspective differs significantly form other parts of Trinidad and Tobago. It is considered complex, historic, with an urban waterfront, having a downtown center and other commercialized features.


When comparing San Fernando, to the Capital city, Port-of-Spain, it can be considered “free standing.” It contains a downtown area, with commercialize and civic buildings and uses, however, with less intensity of activity and more moderate scale and density of buildings according to the spatial development plan. The Downtown core retains a distinctive appearance, centered on the Harris Promenade, as seen in the Picture.


In a book written by Roger Trancik, 1986, “Finding lost space: Theories of Urban Design,” the very fact of stating San Fernando as being free standing, shows that the three theories stated in Roger Trancik's book, was looked over or looked at to a certain extent. These theories include:

1. Figure-Ground Theory: founded on the study of the land coverage of building as solid mass (Figure) to open voids (Ground). “Figure- Ground theory analyses are powerful tools for identifying the textures and patterns of the urban fabric as well as problems in its spatial order.”
   
2. Linkage Theory: “In this approach dynamics of circulation become the generators of urban form. The emphasis on connection and movement is a significant contributions.”
   
3. Place Theory: “Designers have increasingly become aware of the importance of historic, cultural and social values in urban open space.”
   

According to a Lichfield Planning report, done in 2009, on Generic Urban Design Framework for Trinidad and Tobago, several urban design issues and opportunities specific to San Fernando are highlighted. These include:

• The city has a downtown area that has been drifting away from the core as more peripheral areas of commercial development have been built up.
  

This can be related to a conclusion of L.S. Bourne, in his paper, Reinventing the Suburbs: Old myths and New realities, where he deduced the fact that thinking of suburbs as being distinct is outdated, and the conventional distinctions between city and suburb have disappeard. This can clearly be seen in this point of San Fernando.

• Traffic congestion and pollution associated with it detract significantly form the quality of the urban environment
  
• For the pedestrians, things are difficult, especially for people with mobility problems to move around
  
• The city is a combination of civic buildings, commercial spaces, mixed districts which is in need of a balance between mixing and segregating the different uses that make for a sustainable city.
  
• Security and safety have become matters of concern.
  
• Maintenance of the public realm is an issue, mainly because of the pressure of use on both streets and open spaces and costly maintenance.
  

Written in the spatial development plan of San Fernando, are several urban design challenges that need to be addressed, and these included:

• The city being inefficiently urbanized – a more efficient design would allow for greater densities.
  
• To move around in the city is difficult due to one-way traffic systems and little parking and street signs.
  
• Historical and cultural monuments are often poorly maintained.
  
• Street vending in its current form is unsustainable.

The report goes on to identify specific plans, which lends itself to urban design treatment, which can be read more in the following site:
http://www.localgov.gov.tt/~/media/Resource%20Library/Spatial%20Development%20Plans%20Per%20Corporation/San%20Fernando%20City%20Corporation%20Spatial%20Development%20Plan.ashx

Also, more information contained in the book written by Roger Trancik, “Finding Lost Spaces: Theories of Urban Design,” can be found through the website:
http://books.google.tt/books?id=UcdJxonfeGMC&pg=PA97&lpg=PA97&dq=theories+of+urban+spatial+design&source=bl&ots=QO0B3vNO2g&sig=uilC7uzRnGnFg-2aS_vB1xFx-Js&hl=en&sa=X&ei=I-0PU_OyMo-kkQef3IGoBA&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=theories%20of%20urban%20spatial%20design&f=false

In addition, an interesting video that I came across, in the following link, talks on exploring urban design – Designing the Future. Persons featured in the Video are:

1. Stephen Phillips – Product Designer – Arup
   
2. Frederick Wiesenborn – Founder – Sanitov Studio
   
3. Mark Middleton – Managing director – Grimshaw Architects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wy16zTDIEg

A Panoramic View Of The City

WELCOME

A Panoramic View of the City From San Fernando Hill.

This picture was captured, from San Fernando Hill. From this point of view, the picture shows organized chaos. It shows the high rise buildings in the forefront closer to San Fernando hill. The surrounding areas are filled with buildings, houses, possible business places. The picture captures where the Gulf of Paria meets the coastline of Trinidad. In the distance, the different industries can be seen. No one particular theme is highlighted in this picture, however it gives an Overview of the entire City, however only on one side of the hill which is close to the coastline.

San Fernando is the second-largest municipality in all of Trinidad and Tobago, and it can be found on the western coast of the larger and busier Island of Trinidad and Tobago Formerly a borough, San Fernando Trinidad became a city in 1988, and its residents are proud of their city status.

As for the attractions in San Fernando Trinidad, there are enough to satisfy at least a few days, and since Trinidad and Tobago is so small, you can easily hit some beaches, do some fishing or hiking, or pursue a number of other fun-filled activities on the side when visiting San Fernando.

Topping the list of attractions in San Fernando Trinidad is San Fernando Hill, which rises from the heart of the city. This hill tops out at around 600 feet, and on it you will find a visitor center and a recreational area. The views make San Fernando Hill a major tourist attraction.

The city is a shopping hub for southern Trinidad, and you’ll find two of the region’s largest shopping areas here—the Gulf City Mall and High Street.

While walking along High Street is a must at some point during San Fernando vacations, you might prefer a stroll along the Harris Promenade from time to time. Often referred to simply as The Promenade, Harris Promenade runs parallel to High Street but is often much less crowded. At The Promenade’s eastern side, you will find the Carnegie Free Library, which is another one of the top attractions in San Fernando Trinidad.

To help you fulfill your cultural needs during a visit to San Fernando Trinidad, you can complement trips to the library with shows at the Naparima Bowl, which is the main San Fernando performing arts center. Various concerts, cultural shows, and music and art festivals take place at the Naparima Bowl, and it’s always worth seeing what’s on the schedule when you’re in town.

Reference

Online Travel Guides of Travel Destinations - Las Vegas, Caribbean, Hawaii and Machu Picchu. "San Fernando Trinidad - Attractions in San Fernando Trinidad." Accessed April 11, 2014. http://www.destination360.com/caribbean/trinidad-and-tobago/san-fernando.