Of Green Spaces, Aqua and "Counter-Urban" Aesthetics features

                      Picture a field of grass, pristine and shining with green life. Within this plushy meadow of sorts is a fountain, not of youth but of concrete and water pumped through the mouth of a concrete mermaid. Look beyond this man made spectacle to the trees planted there, more for their flowers and aesthetic beauty than for any fruit they could possibly offer; trimmed on a weekly basis and kept clean, free of litter and any other debris. As we zoom further out, a sense of gloom is imparted, as the circular meadow is shadowed by immense corporate towers and urban features of wealth and power. Imagine this, that such an oasis was intentionally constructed to both oppose and accentuate these buildings, as a sort of safe haven for the working class and elite. Maybe not even to occupy this green space, but to look down upon it every once in a while, to dream of lying in the meadow and of smelling the air which surely must be purer than that within the air conditioned towers. Similarly too we can view the construction of a boardwalk, and the view of an ocean blue. Psychologically there must be a reason for this, cynically we can highlight potential increased productivity and calmness of workers etc. but certainly, these green meadows and aquatic horizons offer a necessary sense of escape from what can be a seemingly gloomy urban lifestyle of industry. Can we ask ourselves, are we willing to accept such a rare and minute oasis or boardwalk view while concomitantly neglecting other aspects of environment for the construction of urban centers and buildings? Do we prize the aesthetics of constructed urban buildings on an equal scale or at an even greater scale over those provided by natural landforms?

1. These pictures taken represent, to me, an attempt to provide an aesthetically pleasing setting within an urban center. These features are designed to encourage both "play" in a city, which is a key aspect of everyday human life, as well as being "nostalgia" provokers, infusing emotion and memories of  citizens and which encourages enhanced mood, and consequently productivity of the workforce. Personally, if i was working in such a huge corporate tower, with a view of the ocean on a daily basis, there would be an added motivation for me to show up to work every morning; or at least to play hooky and sit on the benches all day.

2. Green spaces and similar features which are constructed within an urban city are often done so for a myriad of reasons. Recently, in Trinidad, we have experienced a resurgence of sorts of these types of architectural features, which enhance the "natural". This can be attributed partially to the effect that urbanization has on cities such as Port of Spain, where corporate towers and urban buildings sometimes clutter the landscape and concrete removes the green. Aesthetically intended green areas not only serve to increase motivation, reduce depression and encourage playfulness, but also positively contribute to the environment in the provision of certain services. Not only that, but they serve as an appealing lure to tourists, and even citizens, encouraging consumption in and near these areas. Hyatt's boardwalk is an example of such a feature, where it becomes beneficial to the hotelier to provide such a space. The Garden City, as described in Hall and Barrett, gives an idea as to the importance that such green spaces may have for locals, foreigners and most importantly to many, investment and increased interest. Studies conducted by Van Den Burg determined that green spaces somewhat attenuated negative impacts of stress in life and in work, improving the health of those involved. The perceived relationship with the growing number of cities (increased urbanization) and the subsequent separation and isolation from nature has fueled the construction of these urban green-spaces geared towards both mental and physical benefits for the populace.

                  
3. The following links describe the psychological effect that green spaces (and associated biodiversity) may have, and how they improve productivity as well as more importantly in mental health.

http://www.opengreenspace.com/opportunities-and-challenges/health/psychological/
http://depts.washington.edu/hhwb/Thm_Mental.html