The photo above, taken in the city of San Fernando, Trinidad, shows an example of 'fortress' architecture in the urban. The large high walls and gates are all characteristics of this concept which is now evident in San Fernando. I thought to myself what could of been the causes for this, is it crime, the need for security, foreign influence or just the need for privacy in the urban. This can be a different culture in the city where the elite value security and see these types of architecture and lifestyle of fragmentation and exclusion as 'high class'.
Hall and Barrett (2012: 190), speaks of these 'fortress' architecture and also the cultural meanings behind architecture. Oscar Newman (1972), in his discussion of defensible space he realises use of both symbolic and real barriers to combat crime in the city, here he shows a relationship between crime and the built environment. This type of design in the city promotes resident control of neighbourhoods which may be interpreted or misinterpreted as a measure against crime. This type of design may also be of post-modern nature were fragmentation and urban insecurity are present.
The link below leads to an article about crime in the city of San Fernando and the country:
http://guardian.co.tt/news/2013-01-22/muslims-march-against-crime-san-fernando
"[...] speaks of these 'fortress' architecture and also the cultural meanings behind architecture" -- please tell your readers what they say -- if it's not important enough to explain, then you shouldn't cite it.
ReplyDeleteGood pic.
So, it represents a "class" culture?