The Colourful House Syndrome

Today wandering the streets - a simularity struck me. Let us start off with a picture of Valparaiso.
Bright, colourful, vibrant and alive. A port city by nature, with a rich cultural history, this city is full of life. The colours are remarkably distinctive from many other places in the world... except for one (maybe 2 others ontop San Francisco + La Boca, Buenos Aires)!
Now let's take a look at a picture of one of our own landmark cities: St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
St. John's is equally as bright and colorful, and well - a port city!
Can any simularities be drawn as to why? While it may seem obvious that perhaps being on portside, there would be a need for visibility from the water. But I believe it goes a bit deeper. It might be that perhaps it is a search for tourists, a way to make a name for themselves? Both hard working class communities - seems as though a way to make a name for themselves; an expression of sorts. This could be the very definition of art in itself. My history might be a bit shady, but to the best of my recollection both cities have been hit at various times by economic turmoil. Perhaps this is a way of recovering by lifting spirits - or lifting them before sailors set out to sea. Perhaps this is the first thing other boats from foreign countries would see when landing from lands far away; a warm welcome? Whatever the exact, or collection of, reasons may be; maybe our countries are not as different as we had thought. Maybe there are some underlying artistic routes that keep people bonded. Stay tuned!