Cities need infrastructure and urban planning in order to survive and to grow. In our next class, we will discuss important 19th century -infrastructure and urban planning developments that helped NYC become what it has become.

Cities need infrastructure and urban planning in order to survive and to grow. In our next class, we will discuss important 19th century -infrastructure and urban planning developments that helped NYC become what it has become.
The 1811 City Grid System https://thegreatestgrid.mcny.org/greatest-grid/ Read the four or five sections “Before the Grid, “The 1811 Plan”, “Building the Grid, “19th Century Development” and “Living on the Grid”). Each is only about 2 paragraphs. You need to click “read more” on a couple of them
What was NYC’s road system like before the grid?
What is the grid?
Was the land that the grid was on a “blank slate?” In what ways did the city have to use its power to construct the grid?
What impact does the grid have on other aspects of city infrastructure and how people move?
Wallace’s The Canal Era (you only need to read three sections of it). Attached here and also on blackboard under readings for the semester.
First 3 pages (Intro and “The Wedding of the Waters” section)
What were some potential economic challenges NYC faced after the American Revolution?
Why would building canal help solve those problems? Which politician was essential in getting it built?
What impact did the Erie Canal have on the city’s and state’s economy?
“Emporium” section (pages 435-439)
What sorts of new businesses begin developing?
Read this short article (two pages) on the Croton Aqueduct. https://www.centralparknyc.org/articles/water-central-park.
1.What is an aqueduct?
2.Why did the city need to build one?
3. Where did the water come from?

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