mapping the cultural landscape of san antonio
DESCRIPTION
Steven Land Tillotson has been an advocate for sustainable and context-sensitive development and community revitalization in San Antonio and South Texas for over 3 decades. On May 7, 2014, Tillotson presented Mapping the Cultural Landscape of San Antonio at Metro Health's Public Health & the Built Environment: Healthy Communities By Design conference.TRANSCRIPT
Mapping the Cultural Landscape of San Antonio
The study of the process whereby an antecedent rural landscape translates itself into urban form has hardly begun. And yet pre-urban land division may well be the most fundamental determinant for the irregular city-forms of all
ages. The main problem is that it is very hard, when not actually impossible, to reconstruct this initial landscape either through field work or documents.
Spiro Kostoff, The City Shaped
Cultural Landscape
What is it, and why should it be considered?
A cultural landscape is the result of the human imprint on the natural realm, the natural landscape fashioned
by the hand of man.
The term originates from anthropological studies to more fully understand and explain the contextual
relationships in social studies.
How is the cultural landscape useful for architects?
Lewis MumfordThe Culture of Cities, Contrapuntal Order
Edmund BaconThe City as an Act of Will, Simultaneity of Movement, Form, and Space
Kevin LynchNormative Theory, Human Values and Settlement Form Relationships
Christopher AlexanderPattern Language, Incremental Timelessness
Spiro KostoffForm as Receptacle of Meaning, The Urban Process
Rowe and KoetterThe City as Collage, Bricolage, the Architect as Bricoleur
GENERAL RELATIONAL ATTRIBUTES OF A CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
NATURAL REALMGeomorphology
ClimateWaterSoils
Flora/Fauna
HUMAN IMPRINTLand TenureInfrastructureArchitectureLandscapeEquipment
VANTAGETimeScale
MovementPosition
Involvement
TEXAS CITIES URBAN FORMRadial/Concentric
Regional Scale
San AntonioHouston
Dallas/Fort Worth
THE IRREGULAR CITY FORM
The study of the process whereby an antecedent rural landscape translates itself into urban form has hardly begun. And yet pre-
urban land division may well be the most fundamental determinant for the irregular city-forms of all ages. The main problem is that it is very hard, when not actually impossible, to reconstruct this initial
landscape either through field work or documents.
Spiro Kostoff, The City Shaped
METHODOLOGY
ARCHIVAL RESEARCHHistoric MapsDeed Records
Historic NarrativesContemporary Maps
FIELD INVESTIGATIONGround Investigation
Aerial Reconnaissance
RECONSTRUCTIONComparable Scale
Graphic Consistency
Measure is intrinsic to the design, habitation, and representation of land. It underlies the variety of ways land is traversed and
negotiated; it enables the spacing, marking, delineation, and occupation of a given terrain; and it reflects the values and
judgments of the society that lives upon the land…Measure, then, is as much a conceptual apparatus as it is a mode of representation,
facilitating events while constructing a particular world.
James Corner, Taking Measures Across the American Landscape
1722 Presidio and Mision San AntonioAguayo Expedition
1730Royal Plan for San Fernando Villasenior
1767Map of San Antonio de BexarUrrutia
1873 Bird’s Eye View of San Antonio, Augustus Koch
1911Map of Congested District San Antonio Sanborn Insurance Map
1965Quadrangle Map 7.5 Minute Series USGS
1725Rio San AntonioArroyo San PedroPresidio de BexarMision San Antonio de ValeroCaminos RealesAcequia MadreAcequia Principal
Presidio de BexarMision San Antonio de Valero
Rio San AntonioArroyo San PedroPresidio de BexarMision San Antonio de ValeroCaminos RealesAcequia MadreAcequia Principal
1725Presidio de BexarMision San Antonio de Valero
Rio San AntonioArroyo San PedroPresidio de BexarMision San Antonio de ValeroCaminos RealesAcequia MadreAcequia Principal
1725Presidio de BexarMision San Antonio de Valero
Rio San AntonioArroyo San PedroPresidio de BexarMision San Antonio de ValeroCaminos RealesAcequia MadreAcequia Principal
1725Presidio de BexarMision San Antonio de Valero
Rio San AntonioArroyo San PedroPresidio de BexarMision San Antonio de ValeroCaminos RealesAcequia MadreAcequia Principal
1725Presidio de BexarMision San Antonio de Valero
Rio San AntonioArroyo San PedroPresidio de BexarMision San Antonio de ValeroCaminos RealesAcequia MadreAcequia Principal
1725Presidio de BexarMision San Antonio de Valero
Rio San AntonioArroyo San PedroPresidio de BexarMision San Antonio de ValeroCaminos RealesAcequia MadreAcequia Principal
1725Presidio de BexarMision San Antonio de Valero
Rio San AntonioArroyo San PedroPresidio de BexarMision San Antonio de ValeroCaminos RealesAcequia MadreAcequia Principal
1725Presidio de BexarMision San Antonio de Valero
The Laws of the Indies regulated social, political and economic life in the American and Philippine Spanish Colonies and provided the planning precepts for the formation of settlements and towns..
The laws were compiled several times,
most notably in 1680 under Charles II in the Recopilación de las Leyes de los Reynos de Indias (Compilation of the Laws of the Kingdoms of the Indies).
The laws emphasized respect for native populations.
LAWS OF THE INDIES1573 King Philip II Spanish Ordinances for New Towns
“…choose the province, county, and place which will be settled taking into consideration the health of the area which will be known from the abundance of old men or of young men of good complexion, natural fitness and colour, and without illness; and in the abundance of healthy animals of sufficient size, and of healthy fruits and fields where no toxic or noxious things are grown, but that it be of good climate, the sky clear and benign, the air pure and soft, without impediment or alterations and of good temperature, without excessive heat or cold…and they should be in fertile areas with an abundance of fruits and fields, of good land to plant and harvest, of grasslands to grow livestock, of mountains and forests for wood and building materials for homes and edifices, and of good and plentiful water supply for drinking and irrigation.”
LAWS OF THE INDIES1573 King Philip II Spanish Ordinances for New Towns
• the health of the area [as evidenced by healthy inhabitants]…• abundance of healthy animals…• healthy fruits and fields where no toxic or noxious things are
grown..• good climate, • the sky clear and benign, • the air pure and soft…and of good temperature, without
excessive heat or cold… • fertile areas with an abundance of fruits and fields… • good land to plant and harvest… • grasslands to grow livestock… • mountains and forests for wood and building materials… • good and plentiful water supply for drinking and irrigation.”
LAWS OF THE INDIES1573 King Philip II Spanish Ordinances for New Towns
CLEAN AIR
CLEAN WATER
SITE LOCATION/CLIMATE(ENVIRONMENTAL COMFORT)
DIVERSE RESOURCES(SUSTAINABILITY)
FERTILE SOIL
(HEALTHY FOODS)
LAWS OF THE INDIES1573 King Philip II Spanish Ordinances for New Towns
LAWS OF THE INDIES1573 King Philip II Spanish Ordinances for New Towns
Grid Town Plan
PLAZAMinimum Size
200’x300’Optimum Size
400’x600’Maximum Size
300’x800’Ideal Proportion2:3 width/length
Arcades on all sidesPrimary buildings
STREETSBasis for town grid45 degrees to the
cardinal points12 streets converge
on Plaza4 main center streets4 pairs each corner
Arcades at main streets
MEASUREVara
32.89 inchesLeague (linear)feet, 2.7 milesLeague (area)1,728 acres,
7.29 square milesGun Blast
200-300 yards
SPANISH COLONIAL MEASURE
1750Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
Villa San FernandoPotreroPropiosCaminos RealesAcequia Madre expansionsAcequia Principal expansionsAcequia Pajalache
1750Villa San Fernando
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
Villa de San AntonioPueblo del AlamoMision ConcepcionMision San JoseMision San JuanMision Espada
1800
Villa de San AntonioPueblo del AlamoMision ConcepcionMision San JoseMision San JuanMision Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Villa de San AntonioPueblo del AlamoMision ConcepcionMision San JoseMision San JuanMision Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Villa de San AntonioPueblo del AlamoMision ConcepcionMision San JoseMision San JuanMision Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Villa de San AntonioPueblo del AlamoMision ConcepcionMision San JoseMision San JuanMision Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Villa de San AntonioPueblo del AlamoMision ConcepcionMision San JoseMision San JuanMision Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Villa de San AntonioPueblo del AlamoMision ConcepcionMision San JoseMision San JuanMision Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Acequia PrincipalAcequia MadreAcequia PajalacheAcequia San JoseAcequia San JuanAcequia Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Acequia PrincipalAcequia MadreAcequia PajalacheAcequia San JoseAcequia San JuanAcequia Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Acequia PrincipalAcequia MadreAcequia PajalacheAcequia San JoseAcequia San JuanAcequia Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Acequia PrincipalAcequia MadreAcequia PajalacheAcequia San JoseAcequia San JuanAcequia Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Acequia PrincipalAcequia MadreAcequia PajalacheAcequia San JoseAcequia San JuanAcequia Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Acequia PrincipalAcequia MadreAcequia PajalacheAcequia San JoseAcequia San JuanAcequia Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Acequia PrincipalAcequia MadreAcequia PajalacheAcequia San JoseAcequia San JuanAcequia Espada
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
8 League GrantHilltopsFordsCaminos Reales
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
8 League GrantHilltopsFordsCaminos Reales
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
8 League GrantHilltopsFordsCaminos Reales
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
8 League GrantHilltopsFordsCaminos Reales
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
8 League GrantHilltopsFordsCaminos Reales
SAN ANTONIO de BEJAR
1800
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
1800Villa de San Antonio
1800Villa de San Antonio
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
1800Villa de San Antonio
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
1800Villa de San Antonio
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
1800Villa de San Antonio
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
1800Villa de San Antonio
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
1800Villa de San Antonio
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
1800Villa de San Antonio
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
1800Villa de San Antonio
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
1800Villa de San Antonio
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansion
Barrio del NortePotreroPueblo del AlamoBarrio del SurLareditoCamino RealesAcequia Labor ArribaAcequia Madre expansionAlameda
1800Villa de San Antonio
Plat of the City Tract of San Antonio de Bexar
Francois Giraud, SurveyorTheodore Gentilz, Draughtsman
1852
Disposition of Public Lands
Land Ordinance of 1785Required land be surveyed and recorded on the plat before settlement.
1852
RailroadsPublic Space
City of San Antonio
1875
RailroadsPublic Space
City of San Antonio
1875
RailroadsPublic Space
City of San Antonio
1875
Streetcar TransitRiver ChannelizationBridges
City of San Antonio
1925
1925City of San Antonio
Streetcar TransitRiver ChannelizationBridges
1925City of San Antonio
Streetcar TransitRiver ChannelizationBridges
1925City of San Antonio
Streetcar TransitRiver ChannelizationBridges
Expressway SystemStreet Closures
City of San Antonio
2000
City of San Antonio
2000Expressway SystemStreet Closures
City of San Antonio
2000Expressway SystemStreet Closures
2000Regional TransportationExpressway System
2000Regional TransportationRailroad System
Street Pattern Types
Caminos Reales
Laws of the Indies
Acequia
Mission Land Grant
Spanish Land Grant
Ranch Grant
Cardinal Grid
West Side Grid
Railroad
Radial
Drainage
Hillside
Expressway
San Antonio’s urban fabric is a
mosaic of geomorphic, radial and gridiron street
patterns that overlay the natural divide between hill
country and prairie, resulting in
an episodic and polymorphic city
form.
Polymorphic City Form
SAN ANTONIO CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
Laws of the IndiesClassical/Geomorphic Grid
17th century planning precepts for Spanish Colonial towns promoted a uniform street grid with a central plaza. This ideal form is well adapted to the course alignment of the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek.
Spanish Land GrantMetes & Bounds - Geomorphic
Boundaries establishing the 1733 Land Grant also connected strategic point of defense and access: hilltops along the northern boundaries and water crossings along the southern boundaries. Aransas, Ogden, Jackson Keller, Hillcrest, Acme and Nogalitos mark the limits of Villa San Fernando.
TerrainTopography/Drainage
Open gravity flow irrigation channels for agricultural and domestic water were in use for more than half of San Antonio’s history. Their courses became geometric determinants in subsequent urbanization. SAN ANTONIO CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
AcequiaGeomorphic –
Linear/Orthogonal
The geomorphographic character is determined by the geology, soils, flora, climate, and resultant land form.
Secularization of missions Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan and Espada resulted in land grants with narrow frontage on the San Antonio River and extremely long side boundaries oriented east/west.
Payments of land by the Republic of Texas for military service encouraged settlement north of the 1733 Spanish Land Grant. The parcel configuration is aligned with the NE and NW boundaries of the 1733 grant.
Mission Land GrantLinear/Orthogonal
Ranch GrantGridiron
Cardinal GridTownship
Streets that follow the 1852 subdivision of the propios for public auction. The majority of the streets are oriented true north; the west side grid streets are slightly east of north due to initial alignment with San Pedro Creek.
Many Spanish Colonial regional roads followed the preexisting indigenous trail network between strategic destinations. The convergence of these roads emerged as radials imbedded in the expanding city.SAN ANTONIO CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
Caminos RealesRadial
DrainageGeomorphic Stream Bed
HillsideGeomorphic
Closely related to Riparian Streets, Hillside Streets are associated more with steeper grades remote from significant streambeds. Primary streets are parallel with contours to provide terracing and secondary streets orthogonally traverse the slope.
RailroadRadial Pattern
Rail lines generally follow the earlier Caminos Reales and so approach the center in
radial pattern until squaring up with the cardinal
alignment of downtown streets.
Drainage pattern streets are physiographically similar to acequia pattern streets as they are designed to convey water, but drainage streets are for the confluence of runoff rather than distribution of irrigation, and a low-cost stormwater solution for 20th century subdivisions.
ExpresswayRadial/Concentric Pattern
The primary State and US Interstate highways are larger
scale successors to the Caminos Reales and so are
radial in pattern at the regional scale. Similar to most other
cities San Antonio has circumferential loops for moving and distributing large volumes
of traffic.
SAN ANTONIO CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
San Antonio Psychrometrics- Year
28.4%
A 39.7%
J 2.0% F 10.7%
M 29.5%
A 27.3%
M 48.4
%
J 32.3%
J 25.8%
D 18.1%
S 28.2%
O 46.9%
N 30.3%
San Antonio Psychrometrics- Monthly
Walkable Cities Psychrometrics- Year
New York San Francisco Boston
Philadelphia Cairo Nice
18.1% 8.7% 13.3%
19.6% 25.8% 24.5%
“Any great work has within it seminal forces capable of influencing subsequent development
around it, and often in ways unconceived of by its creator.”
Edmund N. Bacon, The Design of Cities