I love walking around...it really helps me to clear my mind, especially in the city of Port of Spain. Coming from where I'm from the buildings form and structures there are not as they are here in Trinidad. Almost every building passed is two or more stories a midst skyscrapers, a perfect mix of a transition from post industrial into modernization. The presence of retail/commercial, financial, government and hotel buildings give this variety of form and structure that I speak of. But it is almost impossible to see buildings that have been restored to it's former context and any sense of such would be in a dilapidated state. It is furthermore imperative to note the upcoming commonality of these buildings to other buildings in the more modern or "first world" countries and the adoption of foreign franchises thus creating a very homogeneous city.
KFC right opposite Royal Bank of Canada Port of Spain
In almost every Caribbean island one urban form/structure that is always evident is food franchises such as the KFC in the photo above. While walking between Frederick Street and Henry Street in Port of Spain the most active parts there are at least 2 fast food franchise restaurants of each of the following from KFC to subway to Churches Chicken (perhaps one on each street). But the count of local restaurants are very minimal in these areas. It is true that globalization both diversifies and enriches culture but as a foreigner I would love to experience more of that local cuisine; liked to see even a few Asian restaurants, or one or two Indian stores selling saris like they do in Tunapua as opposed to the endless stores that sell mainstream clothing. Then I would come to accept and understand it is the people that make up the urban area in Port of Spain and not just the influence of a few well known companies that insist on "Mc Donaldizing" the global South in the name of 'development.' When we adopt the businesses, style of buildings, clothing, music from the North, I begin to wonder, whose culture is it that is persistent in the urban areas of countries?
Here is a little video on the globalisation of KFC; it's interesting to note at the end what country most of their sales come from.
Enjoy and don't forget to leave a comment below...THANKS :)
