While Olvera Street started out lacking all four of these qualities, it has slowly evolved and is considerably friendlier towards the community than ever before. This does not mean, however, that Olvera Street today meets the qualifications to be named a successful public space. It lacks accessibility due to its narrow pathways and crowded spaces, fails to provide entertainment other than shopping and eating, does not have much comfortable space for a person to sit and relax, and appears to be closed in and confining. The fact is that Los Angeles can survive without Olvera Street--it is not a public space, it is a tourist attraction. People can come and see the artificial "culture" of the early Mexican settlers, eat commercialized snacks, and buy wholesale trinkets that are often stamped with "Made in China" on the back.
However, this is not to say that it cannot become a public space. Since it was created, Olvera street has evolved into more of a public space than ever before. The street needs to be more responsive to the Los Angeles public, and must provide them with a reassertion of community control. With a little revamping, Los Angeles could find that Olvera Street could be a hub for many people to meet and convene, focus on issues, or celebrate with a night out.
I also went to Olvera Street and came to the same conclusion as you that it was not a good enough public space. I agree with you that it is merely a tourist attraction, one that has unfortunately lost its meaning. However, how do you think that Olvera Street can improve on the entertainment aspect? You wrote that there is not much to do besides shopping and eating, but when I visited Olvera Street, I was able to walk into the huge plaza and see that there were multiple fairs, raffles, and games going on. Moreover, do you think that it is also a little exclusive? The demographic of the people who visit Olvera Street are predominantly Hispanic, which might actually discourage some people from going because they might feel out of place even though there are no restrictions on the type of people who can go to Olvera Street.
ReplyDeleteI respect your audacity to assert that Olvera Street is not integral to the survival of Los Angeles. While I am not certain what you mean by Olvera Street being a "boiling pot," I appreciate your conclusion that a tourist attraction merely provides commercial traffic. However, I wonder if Olvera Street's past significance to the Spanish population before the settling of the Anglo-Saxons could serve as the locale's importance to Los Angeles. Must a necessity serve a current, vital function, or can simply being a part of a city's past fulfill the definition of being "critical" to Los Angeles' survival? You also make mention of the fact that Olvera Street can adapt into a more pertinent public space. If it is not already, can Olvera Street transform into an integral part of Los Angeles?
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