Notting Hill Carnival - Coursework Example

Notting Hill Carnival: A Briefing Paper The Purpose The purpose of this briefing paper is to provide historical development of an event Notting Hill Carnival which has taken place for more than four decades in London. This paper suggests strategies to successfully manage the event which attracted more than a million tourists in the country. A Summary of the Facts In Notting Hill, London, England each August, over three days (a weekend and a bank holiday), there is an annual event taking place. Those members of the Caribbean population who have been living in the area since 1950s have led the festival and managed the event for many years. The festival has been rated as one of the biggest street festival in Europe which has attracted more than 1.5 million people in the past years. The Notting Hill Carnival event involved other prominent arts events in the country. Some arts events are several major live music events, and the famous procession of masquerade bands. The event has attracted a huge number of tourists from the UK as well as abroad. With its 40 years of tenure, the event has received an iconic status. The status was gained due to the presence and contribution of communities of the roots in the Caribbean to London and the UK. The Notting Hill Carnival has grown from a small West Indian street celebration first held in 1964 to a two-day international event which at its peak attracted some 1.2 million visitors in 1999. It began in the wake of the 1958 race riots when Notting Hill was fast becoming one of the first of the new innercity areas attracting immigrants from the old Commonwealth. Both the Carnival and the area in which it is held have changed substantially over the past 40 years. Many of the original immigrants have moved out and the area has gentrified with more wealthy, younger residents replacing them. Yet the Carnival has evolved to become a national, indeed international, focal point for the celebration of West Indian culture and music but with the majority of its visitors no longer belonging to the ethnic communities which continue to organise and support it. Tensions between the residents, those who manage the Carnival—namely, the police and local authorities— and even amongst different types of visitor have grown. Crime associated with the event has dramatically increased and there are now considerable problems of public safety due to crowding along the parade route itself, at fixed sound systems and at subway (tube) stations which the majority of visitors coming to the Carnival use. Against this background, there is substantial momentum to address these problems not only through more intensive crowd management on each day of the event but also through altering the route of the parade and perhaps the location of the sound systems. The Carnival Review Group (CRG) set up by the Greater London Authority has initiated an intense process of stakeholder involvement which involves all relevant interests in the technical design activities (CRG, 2001). As part of these activities, the present authors have built various simulation models of the current situation which are being used in the evaluation of new routes (Intelligent Space Partnership, 2002). What will be reported here is only one aspect of these simulations. The paper will introduce and apply an experimental model which enables the assessment of local movement to, from and between the various events that comprise the Carnival, illustrating how crowds build up and generate problems of public safety. The models presented deal with how spatial phenomena emerge through interactions between individuals. The theories of systemic complexity associated with these developments represent the analytical cutting edge of urban and transport science at the present time, where the focus has shifted away from aggregative, static conceptions of how cities are structured to the more detailed dynamics which determine the heterogeneity that cities display at much finer scales. In short, such models are based on the idea that unusual and important behaviours emerge when interactions between the individuals that are engaged in those events accumulate to a point where distinct changes occur in how people react (Batten, 2000). Crowding is one such phenomenon. It generates panic, flight, sometimes mass hysteria, which is clearly applicable to highly concentrated spatial events such as carnivals, street parades, some types of shopping and, indeed, any situation involving rapid exit or entrance from or to high-capacity buildings and vehicles (Canetti, 1962). An internal analysis In January 1959, the Carnival was conducted in St. Pancras Town Hall with an aim to response to the depressing state of race relations. In the previous year, the first widespread racial attacks occurred in the Notting Hill. Thus the Carnival was held in doors and it was seen as a big success during the time of race intense. In August 1965, the event first started to move outside. The prime movers The pioneers who initiated the move of the Carnival to outdoor were Claudia Jones and Rhaune Laslett. Claudia Jones was the person known as “the Mother of Notting Hill Carnival”. Rhaune Laslett was also the prime mover who first initiated idea to celebrate the Carnival outdoor. At that time, there were more than a thousand people who participated in the event. Thus Notting Hill Carnival became an event which represent more than African-Caribbean. In 1976, the event became more definitely Caribbean with about 150,000 people participating. In that year, a riot occurred between the Caribbean youths and police. The people felt that they were continuously harassed by the police. Due to this clash, the event of Carnival was about to be banned. However Prince Charles was one of the prominent figures who supported the establishment of the event. During these years, the event has been free from serious hindrances and troubles. The event has been regarded as the celebration of the diverse and multi-cultural communities in London. The Caribbean culture was preserved in the best traditions of Rio. However there are major concerns on public safety aspects which many of the organizers as well as participants are concerned. Holding the event in a narrow streets and small areas poses crowding problem and exist in an emergency situation. Thus authorities of the capital London have used the park space, in the nearby area of Hyde Park. There are five disciplines of Carnival event. They include—(1) Mas’ from costume, Masquerade, (2) Steelband, (3) Calypso-- political, social and satirical commentary, set to music), (4) Soca-- the traditional music of Carnival, a fusion of Soul and Calypso) and (5) Static Sound Systems all play their part on the two days of Carnival-on-the-Road, creating what is the climax to a month of pre-Carnival activities such as dances, sound and soca jams, costume galas, steel band competitions, etc. In recent years the Notting Hill Carnival has become more bigger event which reflects the multicultural nature of our society. Many groups representing from Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Bulgaria, Russia, Brazil and many other places as well as from all parts of the Caribbean, Africa, Central and South America and the United Kingdom participated in the event. The policy of the Notting Hill Carnival encourages artists to celebrate their cultural traditions through art, dance and music media with which they feel most comfortable. The Notting Hill Carnival includes the procession of costumes, soca and steel bands. They wend their way over a route of some three miles. The area plays host to 45 licensed Static Sound Systems, each playing their own selection of soca, reggae, jazz, soul, hip-hop and funk music, house, garage. This aspect of Carnival attracts the youths and is evolving at an unpredictable pace with innovative styles and forms of music. In addition to the procession, there are hundreds of licensed street stalls which sell various foods from around the world as well as arts and crafts including souvenirs and gifts. These shops and stalls were granted licenses to sell their foods and goods. The Carnival event promotes cultural exchanges among its founders and takes contemporary culture with its multiracial, and multicultural trends. The current status of the event The Carnival in 2006 was evaluated by the Council’s point of view as a success. The objectives of facilitating the event and minimising difficulties for residents by the municipal operations were achieved in line with the plan. However it was found that the route management was not effective this year as it has been in the past. In addition, it was also found that there was at least one delay in procession, which was unnecessary and significant. This caused holding up all the bands behind a band which was not moving. The consequence was that this year all bands could not reach points where judges were sitting. At least four reached the point after the judges had left the place. Furthermore the delay kept the procession still in the road later than in recent years. This kept the people still hanging around the road. A large number of people were still circulating in the road and they did not leave the place. Therefore, the cleaning team had difficulties entering into the heart of the Carnival area. All the public agencies who were concerned with the Carnival in 2006 showed their professionalism in performing their duties and responsibilities. This reflected their long years of working experience in the Carnival event and their unique experience matched the unique requirements of the event. However there are many challenges still involved in the event management. They include challenges to all the agencies concerned which required the costly deployment of a very large body of public servants. In addition, their contractors must ensure public health and public safety, and the agencies must protect residents’ amenity, and ensure that the Carnival itself is lively and attractive as a spectacle. Police estimates of attendance were 2006 Sunday 330,000 and Monday 500,000 while it was recorded in 2005 as Sunday 250,000 and Monday 500,000. It would appear that – so far as the main Monday event is concerned – attendance has stabilised, and the forecasted number of attendants in the report on Carnival by the Mayor of London’s Review Group has not met the real attendants. This should be noted for planning for managing the event in the near future. The number of bands registered to appear on the procession on the Carnival Monday in 2006 was 73 while 59 of them actually appreared. In 2005 the registered bands were recorded as 63 while 57 of them appeared. This pattern of “no shows” is a matter of significant concern that will be raised with the organisers in planning for the event in 2007. Such uncertainty about the number of bands coming onto the route makes it difficult for all the public agencies to plan their responses and deployment as the event moves towards close-down. All except one of the static sound systems closed down at or soon after 7.00pm as agreed – and this system was not permitted to set up again on the Monday. The prompt closure by all other systems aided crowd dispersal and noise control. For the first time, the sound systems were licensed under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003. Twelve systems were required to apply for premises licences; all the operators applied as asked, and objections were received in only two cases. The Licensing Committee granted conditional licences in both cases, and officers monitored compliance with the conditions. In the case of the largest sound system, Rampage, the noise control conditions were breached on the Sunday. Strong warnings were given to the operator about controlling sound levels, and compliance was attained on Monday. In the case of the other system – Latin Rave – monitoring was conducted on one day only, and noise control conditions were breached that day. When considering Carnival 2007, it is important to remember that these non-compliances need to be managed through the statutory licensing system. Technical solutions to these noise control problems are possible, but it will be for Members on any Committee reviewing these licences to form a view as to whether the system operators have given convincing assurances that they can and will comply with the conditions on the licences. Local opinion on the matter can be expressed freely through the licensing review process. It is true that the Notting Hill Carnival is a unique event. To keep its unique characteristics, the management of event must overcome all difficulties and challenges. When the challenges are met, the event can be a vibrant, enjoyable and most importantly, sustainable. It is found that the Carnival is riddled with contradictions and competing perspectives. For the past years, all of them served to weaken the ability of the grassroots carnival arts movement in London with an aim to grasp the tangible benefits of the event. The Notting Hill Carnival gained the status of a ‘World Carnival’. It is ranked as the largest carnival in Europe with a second place in the world only to the Rio Carnival in Brazil. However, the supports of infrastructures and resources are not the same as the resources supported for the “World Carnival” raking. The economic impact of the event was huge in the country. The economic impact study, commissioned by the London Development Agency on behalf of the Mayor’s Carnival Review Group found that in 2002, the Notting Hill Carnival found that the generated approximately £93 million and supported the equivalent of 3,000 full-time jobs – clear evidence that what takes place every August Bank Holiday weekend on the streets of Notting Hill is a multi-million pound income generating event. In addition, the event has created more crime figures than its positive impacts of social and economic on London’s economy and cultural dynamism. With a proper supports and resources, the Carnival can realize its full potentials and will contribute more to the social and economic impacts. The ideals of freedom, unity, and community empowerment are the roots of the history of emergence of the the Notting Hill Carnival. These are the reasons for the existence of the event. Most of the debate about the event centered on the way how the event should be “contained”. In the past before the year 2003, the community based organizing body of the Carnival was not democratically represented in the management structure of the event. In addition, it was not legally able to influence the management of the event. Understanding the external environment Diverse individuals, organizations, and interest groups were affected by the Notting Hill Carnival. Thus the event has various stakeholders. Their views must be carefully taken into account when planning and decision-making process to different degrees. However, the voices of the resident were still ignored and marginalized despite the lacal authorities had consultation meetings with residents on the event related issues. It is vital and necessary to ensure that there must be appropriate mechanisms that must be established to ensure that the views and needs of residents are carefully taken into considerations for the Carnival event planning and decision making process. The traditions of making and playing ‘mas’, (masquerade), making and playing ‘pan’ (the steel band), writing and performing calypso and other Caribbean music are central to the ethos and vibrancy that is the Notting Hill Carnival because the Caribbean influence the event. The Arts Council’s has shown its continued commitment to support the Carnival as well as its decision to increase its overall investment in the carnival arts. The Carnival Arenas are expected to benefit from funding programmes specifically targeted to support. Pre-Carnival events which include the Grand Costume Gala, Panorama and the Calypso Monarch Finals, are an important part of the Carnival season. It is also alongside the August bank holiday weekend, represent the highlight in the Carnival calendar for the artistic Arenas. In the last two years, the role of the Arenas in planning and delivering these events has grown considerably. The Carnival organizers as well as funding bodies should make commitments to continue adequate financial supports. The Carnival Arenas should be responsible for providing the artistic direction and lead on the staging of all pre-Carnival activities. Understanding the consumers and markets trends It is the fact that the visitor numbers cannot be controlled because the event was free and open. It is found that the current weak decision-making and planning process lay a ground for its failure to plan for growth. The initiation of Safety Project offered three possible growth and trends as follows: 1. Growth at the rate experienced in the early 1990’s (high, 20 per cent); or 2. Growth at the same rate as the increase from 2001 to 2002 for both days of the Carnival (medium, 15 per cent); or 3. Growth at the rate of increase from 2001 to 2002 on the Carnival Monday (low, 5 per cent) Conclusions The Notting Hill Carnival should be embraced. It is a major world-class event that should be supported both politically and financially. Clusters of carnival creatives can be found throughout London. Having initiated this review, the Mayor of London should continue to provide a strategic role in overseeing the implementation. The recommendations should form the cornerstone of a four-year London Carnival Development Programme. The programme should adopt a phased approach to implementation. It should be informed by all stakeholders in order to ensure that appropriate benefits are derived from the success and growth of the Notting Hill Carnival. References BBC website Local council website London Notting Hill Carnival Ltd Moving Map of Carnival route Notting Hill Carnival Photos http://www.portowebbo.co.uk/nottinghilltv/carnival1.htm Notting Hill Carnival Review Group, 2004 Report Environmental Impact Report 2004 The 1976 Notting Hill Carnival Riots on peopleshistory.co.uk (currently down) BBC News - Remembering the 1976 Notting Hill riot Notting Hill Carnival http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5292180.stm http://www.carnaval.com/london/2005/news/index.htm Read More