Intersection : public place in a new Jamaica

Abstract

Jamaica, a microcosm of the Caribbean and the developing world, is heir to an ambivalent legacy. While she benefits from a unique cultural tradition brought in part through colonialism, she suffers from the nihilistic tendency to imitate colonial socio-economic practices. The society thus becomes more and more polarized, and is poorer for it. The condition is a paradigm for architecture and urbanism. The city stratifies itself into political and economic zones, allowing for its own demise through the lack of communication and cross-fertilization. In anticipation of the city's continued explosion, the thesis explores the possibility of a new public place at which the separate social groups may converge. It will facilitate the accessibility of Jamaicans to their own diverse population, and foster self-pride as they recall and celebrate their traditions, accomplishments and ambitions. The program therefore consists of public facilities which bring Jamaican cultural traditions into relationship with each other. The complex is intended to be a multi- purpose sports/festival ground. Its focus will be a Museum of National Heritage. The site is National Heroes' Park, a 68 -acre oval which sits at the boundary of the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew and marks the entrance to the old city of Kingston, capital of Jamaica. It originated as a horse-racing course in the 19th century but has been transformed successively over the years. Part of it is now dedicated as a shrine to Jamaica's National Heroes - the seven men and woman who were deemed to be instrumental in the building of the nation.