Site Report #2

This small snippet shows primarily what was to become the University District. Besides the establishment of a few roads and several buildings, most of land was not landscaped and took the form of woodlands. Before extensive construction of infrastructure projects like building the University of Washington Campus could begin, residents needed to deforest the area to make it satisfactory for varying land uses. Even though there are still hills in the U-District, the development of the area has not halted in the slightest with innovations in construction tools and methods.  

The adjacent photo was taken around 1920 when the area inside the University District was still developing and influx. Shops and residents were coming and going as the district began trying to find its identity. The identity of the district would be determined by the number of single-families that lived in the area and the mass of college students that attended the University of Washington nearby. To accommodate residents’ needs, it was vital that the environment of the area be manipulated. First some hills in the area were leveled to make transportation easier. Once the hills were leveled, roads were paved with asphalt and tracks were laid down for the trolley system. Trees in the area were also cut down to make space for the multitude of housing that was needed in the area. With the advancements in technology, the conditions and infrastructure of street life changed for the better. 

Patches of land like the adjacent photo feel like they retain the original environment prior to urbanization, but do not let the looks deceive you. Such areas look natural, but they have been meticulously planned for their look and feel. When planning the construction of buildings, planners consider the design of sidewalks. Depending on how wide the sidewalks are, planners can designate certain parts to be for environmental uses. Those chosen to be dedicated plots for nature are restricted to be within guidelines of city ordinances. The location of the land plot can also influence the development and growth of plants as plots hidden away can grow more wild while plots walked by everyday must be manicured.