The Transformation of an Urban Space or Place (Essay Sample)

The Transformation of an Urban Space or Place
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Approximately 40 miles to the northeast of Boston and near the Cape Ann peninsula lies the town of Rockport. It is in Essex County, Massachusetts in the United States. On three of its sides, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The town has grown as a result of the early visitors in Cape Ann. Before the invasion by the white colonists and the explorers, the place was inhabited by Agawam tribe that formed some villages. With the invasion by the Europeans in the year 1623, the contact brought diseases in the area that claimed some of the Agawam’s. Previously, Rockport town area had no settlement for more than 100 years. It served as a source of timber for shipbuilding. The pine trees were popular in the area. The Cape Ann served as a good fishing ground for the English people and the explorers. At the Rockport harbor, a dock was constructed in the year 1943 on the sand bay to facilitate the movement of timbers and also for fishing purposes (Kotin, 2005)
With the discovery of the granite quarries in the area, many people migrated to work in the quarries. Following the increased demand for the high-grade granite in the area, the quarries in the area were the major source of the precious stone during the industrial revolution.
The toad Hall Bookstore a granite quarry, currently the Babson Farm
Scandinavian residents flocked the area in large numbers as they had the stone-working expertise to work in the quarries. After the decline in the demand for granite as a result of the increased usage of concrete in construction during the great depression, the demand for the Rockport remained unchanged. Its popularity as a vacation spot for rocky, ocean beaches and fishing harbor kept it on demand (Kotin, 2005)
The Rockport serves as a home for summer holidays. Many people flock in the area during the summer season to experience the climate found within the town. The fisheries found in the area provides the people living in the area with a lot of food. Due to the increased demand for the town in the recent years, the town has witnessed a rapid urbanization. The traditional cottages that were used as hotels for selling the fish caught within the area have been transformed into the big restaurant that hosts many tourists during the summer season. Many people travel to the area as tourists and to experience the climate and sunbathe along the rocky beaches.
Sandy beach
They travel from all over the world travel to see the red fishing shark on Bradley Wharf in Rockport. It is popularly known as "Motif number 1" and is subject to hundreds of photographs and paintings and many aspiring tourist and artists like visiting the place. Currently, it is a suburban residential place and tourist town. The place is a home to many lobster fishermen and artists. Tourists from the greater Boston and Rhode Island and other places in the world find the seaside parks a favorite place for them (Kotin, 2005).
The inner part of the harbor and the motif
The Rockport Harbor provide an access to the deeper water. Boats can dock near the town center. The fishing community has an access to the ocean. That town is accessible through two routes that pass through the town. One route passes through the north to south of the town and entering inland from the Gloucester. The other route follows the southern coast into the town. Only one bus service company serves the town thus reducing the traffic jam in the town because the company adequately caters for the transportation needs of the town. The roads are modern and well maintained. The town is the last station of the commuter rail that provides services along the northern shore to the Boston’s North Station. The town has no airport, but the nearest is the Beverly Municipal Airport.
The town is rapidly growing owing to a large number of people coming to the town. The growth of tourism industry in the town has led to the development of hotels and conference services to handle the growing influx of visitors. Modern housing has been developed to cater for the growing population of the town. The interaction with foreigners has brought in cultural values that have changed the way of life of the native residents of the place (Alice, 2010).
The ...