Wednesday, September 22Wednesday, September 22

The Urban LandscapeThe Urban Landscape Cities grow Industry Immigration Availability of food Commerce

But they weren't always here...

BuildingsBuildings

These were the

planet's tallest

structures until...

SkyscrapersSkyscrapers

The Romans first

started building

upwards

But Europe forgot

how for hundreds of

years

In 1885, one

appeared in Chicago

The Roots of UrbanizationThe Roots of Urbanization Shibam in Yemen – built for defense against

raiders.

Later tall buildings were built to be fireproof – iron

doesn't burn

So why doesn't every old city have tall buildings?

Challenges of Tall vs. Challenges of Tall vs.

ShortShort Water + gravity = dryness... Water pumps were too primitive Electric pumps replace steam power Stairs everyday = buns of steel but... Elevators don't pop up until the mid 1800's Elisha Otis' safety elevator invented in

1852

Advantages of Building Advantages of Building

UpwardUpward Land is $$

Many people can

be close to …

Makes urban

centers possible

Mass TransitMass Transit But all those people gotta get around Evolved a long way since Charon Begins with trolley lines

The 'BurbsThe 'Burbs Class distinctions re-

emerge The rich live in massive

palaces The poor are squeezed

into tenements The middle class looks

for a way out

Streetcar SuburbsStreetcar Suburbs Allows the middle class to

separate themselves from the

new immigrants and working

class

Street cars make it possible

Corrupt politicians make huge

profits in real estate

speculation

Urban ProblemsUrban Problems Crime – overcrowding, poor economic

conditions, no establishment Poverty – factory owners manipulated

salaries to keep workers desperate Pollution – filthy streets and housing Disease – lack of proper medical care Illiteracy – children were forced to work

(keep the working class working and poor)