Rae Town a community analysis

and design proposalA project by Michael McFarlane AS3 [0701446] for Architecture and Community

Satellite Map of Rae Town

Introduction

Being one of Kingston’s earliest inhabited towns, Rae Town does play a significant role in Jamaican culture especially with the presence of important Jamaican dance sessions taking place in the area. As a community it is fairly quiet as a result of high walls being replicated everywhere from the prison to the police station and even down to the houses there. As a result, foreigners to the community feel slightly intimidated once entering it especially when it slightly intimidated once entering it especially when it heavily lacks street side activity. The following proposals will help to increase street side activity within Rae Town as well as promote socialization among its members.

a road map of Rae Town

Rae Town is primarily residential with a few mixed use areas; however, most of the Rae Town is occupied by the police grounds and the prison. The police grounds are completely sealed off from the rest of the region, by opening the use of its field to the residents, a possible central park space can be created. This park space can be worked into the southern edge to further enhance the walking experience of the area. To the north of the prison lies a large open space with a historic 2 story To the north of the prison lies a large open space with a historic 2 story building lying on it. The building is slowly decaying to the point where right now it looks like it will collapse any second. This building was at first used used by the prison as a training area for wardens it also posed in some way as a form of community centre with local churches using the ground floor for choir practice. The refurbishing of this building could possibly reintroduce this community centre aspect and possibly introduce a restaurant on the top floor, as right now the wardens introduce a restaurant on the top floor, as right now the wardens working in the prison only have a small shack in the same lot as a source of food outside of the prison. With the refurbishing of this building, other historic buildings along Tower Street could also be refurbished to gain attraction towards the community.

Building Use and Area Allocation

Map highlighting suggested pedestrianized zones and proposed parking lots

Rae Town is primarily residential with a few mixed use areas; however, most of the Rae Town is occupied by the police grounds and the prison. The police grounds are completely sealed off from the rest of the region, by opening the use of its field to the residents, a possible central park space can be created. This park space can be worked into the southern edge to further enhance the walking experience of the area. To the north of the prison lies a large open space with a historic 2 story To the north of the prison lies a large open space with a historic 2 story building lying on it. The building is slowly decaying to the point where right now it looks like it will collapse any second. This building was at first used by the prison as a training area for wardens it also posed in some way as a form of community centre with local churches using the ground floor for choir practice. The refurbishing of this building could possibly reintroduce this community centre aspect and possibly introduce a restaurant on the top floor, as right now the wardens introduce a restaurant on the top floor, as right now the wardens working in the prison only have a small shack in the same lot as a source of food outside of the prison. With the refurbishing of this building, other historic buildings along Tower Street could also be refurbished to gain attraction towards the community.

Building Use and Area Allocation

Map highlighting zones owned by the police and prison with the historic building and proposed park space highlighted

The old warden training building in its current state.

The prison is a great example of a self sufficient environment being that they farm their own crops and provide their own food. With the exception of water and electricity the prison has the capacity to become self sufficient for months without external supplies. This has a lot to do with the prison’s farm which is maintained by the prisoners. The farm primarily serves the prison with a segment going on sale for public purchase. The expansion of this farm into other empty lots could help to better serve Rae Town. to better serve Rae Town. The fishing village across the road from Rae Town still serves as a major form of income for the residents but with increased pollution in the harbor, fishermen have to go farther to ensure that they can catch fish. The fishing village has become less about actual fishing and more serves as a base for fishermen to meet. As a result, fishermen from all across the island will use the village a place to store boats, equipment etc. As a result, even though it wasn’t designed for it, some fishermen take up residence in the village using their storage spaces as rooms. take up residence in the village using their storage spaces as rooms. This village could be expanded to include small sleeping areas that could be rented out on a monthly or daily basis depending on the situation as not all fishermen would use it as frequently.

Sustainability

Improvement of the vending area via expansion and possible relocation could also be beneficial. At the moment it is placed on the side of a major intersection along the highway. By moving it across the street to the current Rae Town Community Centre or even the empty lot right in front of Manley Meadows.

The fishing village’s storage areas

Key:

Area used by prison for farming:

Fishing Village

Area to be used for Area to be used for extension of farming areas

These proposals all present ideas that can be easily implemented at a small cost and can be implemented with low impedance on the daily lives of the residents. These proposals would help to improve the quality of life in Rae Town via enhancing socialization between citizens and those that use Rae Town as an area for work (police officers, wardens etc) This increase in mingling among residents of Rae etc) This increase in mingling among residents of Rae Town would help them come together and further enhance the community through programs which they themselves can work on to best suit their own needs.

Conclusion