Homogeneity, Is it plausible, possible, feasible and desirable?

          In recent times, scholars have begun to see homogeneity in two main forms; i. a positive utopian form where the removal of differences creates an even tighter network of global cities ii. a process whereby rich culture and heritage of certain areas are erased and replaced by global companies, and which negatively impacts locals. This draws the question as posed in the title: Is homogeneity really plausible, possible and feasible? That is, is it even likely to occur, especially in areas where culture and norms are the foundational root of its people. How easily can this transition be obtained, and over how much time? Surely the buildings can change, but not so much the day to day activities of its inhabitants. 
      The second question, which postulates if it is desirable, is the main theme of this blog post. We can see homogeneity taking shape within Trinidad, through international trade, as well as the shape and forms of newly constructed buildings. We must now ask ourselves, is this transition for the best? Or will it ultimately lead us to a fragmentation of culture where our identities as Trinidadians, and even self-identity, is compromised or forced to alter in some way to "keep up" with this cultural shift. 

One of Several "Megastores" within Trinidad

A Possible Scenario? Year 2100

From above, the country looked so vibrant, so colourful. The plane swooping down into the airport tarmac brought with it a cluster of tourists, eager to see the differential culture of Trinidad, and experience its wonders, including the famously home-cooked cuisine. The first night was spent in a hotel, almost exactly like the ones back home, thought Phillip. No matter, the next day promised to provide a surety of adventure. The cab hovered up at dawn, and they were off. He and his wife sat at either window, eager to see what Trinidad had to offer. The highway, lit with neon blue magnetically propelled the cars forward, at speeds that made it difficult to distinguish structure, everything a blur of paint-foreign made. 

It was only when the cab slowed as it reached the destination that Phil glimpsed the reality. The colours he espied from above? The main colours of corporate towers. The cuisine that they so desired? Branches upon branches of global fried chicken, too many to count, on every corner. Where was the culture, he wondered? How had Trinidad been reduced to this? The towering walls in a neighbouring village whispered the answer, angrily. There was no more of these; no room for "Aunty's Roti Shop" nor room for "The Magnificent Seven", especially with land at a premium. The children, no longer taught ABC's as Ant, Bat, Crab with the use of Boyo and Carla, but instead taught in a classroom with no teacher, just a video presentation OF a teacher. Of course the culture was gone. Hidden behind the freshly built walls, while the buildings which the walls were intended to mask crumbled in disrepair, housing the last few remnants of Carnival, of Old Mas and Kaiso, of "Aye Neighbour and Neighbour how yuh going?" and of taking credit at a shop when you forget your change. 

1. The picture taken represents just one of multiple different megastores within Trinidad, established by multinational companies. Currently, they are seen as positives- Convenient and often supplied by items that would be difficult to find elsewhere. However, one wonders whether over time, if the numbers of these would multiply and drive local hardware owners out of business.

2. The idea of homogeneity is certainly not all negative, and most definitely will be positive at some level. It is only when it begins to supersede a country's already existing cultural value that it begins to become a problem. While not all culture would seem important, and certainly some would be negative, culture must be understood as shaping the minds of Trinidadians, and in setting a template for what is the norms of right and wrong within it's people. Creativity steeped in this culture, the art and music which is housed within the body of Trinidadians, could be under threat by this transition towards homogeneity.
City and Regime in the American Republic by Elkin speaks of an alteration of civil liberties, and ponders whether homogenization will increase inequalities; i.e., those who do not subscribe to the process will be further viewed as "abnormal" than currently. In the scope of individual liberty, there is such a thing as too homogenous than what is desired. A link is also made to those of property rights within this process of homogenization; to what degree can a property owner resist this process, or even spread this process through the construction of a structure which models the modal, normative structure in the Global North.

3. http://www.quebecoislibre.org/11/111115-12.html 

The link posted aims to represent the perils of Cultural Homogeneity which is often a byproduct of homogeneity brought about by "development. These perils are outlined as:

a. Being Dictated by the government and not voluntarily embraced by those people within the culture (not just those who earn a living through the culture, as in musicians etc., but also those who experience the culture, as appreciators of the music etc.)

b. Homogeneity stifles progress and Innovation

c. Comes at a cost to those who resist it,through the imposition of penalties

d.Weakens Capacity for Argumentation and Critical Thinking.

INTRODUCTION TO HOMOGENEITY AND DISPARITY- With a sprinkle of individual actors
               
           The city and its urban form is a certain topic which is multi-faceted. There is no true perspective to view a city; each person's idea of what constitutes a city will differ with their theory of mind, agenda and backgrounds. Hence, this blog attempts to explain what, not just myself, but other actors with a city think of a city. This first post is of those who are undervalued in terms of power, The Builders.

A city is an expression of self,
Each individual building tells a story,
An artist of such merit, who paints with the fabric of concrete, board and brick,
A design proposed by the customer but brought to life by some builder named "Rick"

What was "Rick"s aim, did he feel no shame,
Building a house, as if he playing a game,
A window here, a window there,
Soon the structure resembled a wreck,
Money in hand, Rick did not care

Cares not for geography or form of city,
Nor for the dwellers in the street,
His focus only on the task at hand,
No thought to the inequality beneath his feet

View Of A Global North Resort from Above

One of the main actors in the urban script: The Builders

The builders are often underestimated when it comes to city form, and subsequent function. A body is not neutral, and often, a building can reflect the builder, for better or for worse. How does a builder, as this chief actor, think of a city? Does he see promise for finance? Or instead empty space upon which to leave his mark and legacy?

"Rick" the builder draws inspiration from many forms, but the majority of his clientele prefer a dwelling which mimics the perceived towers of wealth and status that originate from the Global North. This cycle of text and expression represents a discourse that is perpetuated by the Global North which even now still affects those who aim to settle in urban centers. The ideology, that bigger is better, leads to a style of housing which is similar in form and structure to those in the "better world". We ask ourselves, how much of this is truly necessary? In time, it is believed, that our newly, up-and-coming urban areas will be almost indistinguishable from others.

This belief, while seemingly possible, understates the true form of a city to simply structure. Such is not the case, as while structures may become indistinguishable (think slides in class which made it difficult to pinpoint a city), the processes, actors and functions of the city will be wholly different.

i. The reflection being done is upon the photo in the center; i.e. of the Builder's Base. From my perspective, i interact with this builder generally daily (my neighbour), and it always interested me as to how he goes about his work. Mostly because, it seems his entire day is spent moving trucks and equipment from one spot in the lot to another plot. Nonetheless, i chose this picture because, to me, it epitomizes a disparity occurring within Trinidad, born out of financial status and social status.  The structure next to the blue truck is meant to become a simple housing plot for some of the workers. Imagine the difference in style of housing from one to the other, and what makes it even more interesting is that the actors are the same (the builders) but the form and function of the structures they build versus the structures they reside in are worlds apart. 

Transition into an Urban form which "Mimics"

ii. As this first post focuses more upon the individual buildings instead of the city which they altogether compose, we draw reference to Hall and Barrett's readings, which state that there is an idea of fragmentation, which arises where a city is seen to be more chaotic in structure, fragmenting into a series of independent settlements, economies and cultures. For me, this is a key aspect, because it is possible to see how the "micro" scale individuality of each person's abode, coupled with their socio-cultural jumbling of mind, and whatever agenda they may carry, can influence a city form. A city thus is not overtly planned, but instead composed of both planned (usually by the actors who were key individuals and gatekeepers- also stated by Hall where the idea that power and class played "second fiddle" to these individuals who could implement barriers to resources, as well as excluding and including certain types of people) and unplanned settlement. *Cities as systems of cities within systems of cities*
Knox and Pain talk of Globalization, Neoliberalization and international homogeneity in architecture and urban development. This stresses a tendency towards homogeneity as "a result of the combination of several factors: Market liberalization (Capital), International Migrations, Cultural Globalization, Urban Entrepreneurial ism, and changes within architecture and planning. These points shall be expanded upon in the second post, titled Homogeneity, Is it plausible, possible, feasible and desirable?

This final link iii. is one which i believe reflects disparity between builder and client- most notable seen in the conditions of migrants who work as labourers building homes

http://www.groundup.org.za/content/immigrants-accuse-construction-company-abusive-labour-practices

*These pictures were all taken by me; The first a couple years ago on a hot air balloon ride in Florida
The second two more recently. The time gap also shows how the homogenization of areas occurs as a process as opposed to an immediate "oh leh we jus build it like dem" mentality.