Vandana Shiva and Maude Barlow on the Rights of Mother Earth

Earth Day Special

This week the United Nations General Assembly discussed international standards that grant nature equal rights to humans. Similar protocols have been adopted by over a dozen U.S. municipalities, as well as Bolivia and Ecuador. Renowned environmentalists Maude Barlow and Vandana Shiva join us. Says Shiva, “Most civilizations of the world, for most of human history, have seen the world in terms of relatedness and connection,” says Shiva. “And if there’s one thing the rights of Mother Earth is waking us to, is: we are all connected.”

Click here to see the video.

Baltimore Sustainability Program

Sustainability: meeting the current environmental, social, and economic needs of our community without compromising the ability of future generations to meet these needs
Basically, "sustainability" means both to improve the quality of life today and to pass on a world that is as good as, if not better than, we found it for our children. Sustainability is sometimes illustrated as a three-legged stool, comprised of social equity (people), economic health (prosperity), and environmental stewardship (planet). Collectively, these “legs” are the foundation for our quality of life. In order for a community to thrive today and tomorrow, all three pillars of this platform need to be strong.

http://www.baltimoresustainability.org/index.aspx

Jerusalem and Amsterdam

Jerusalem

1)The City of Jerusalem is the capitol of Israel. Jerusalem, the City of David has been called the religious capitol of the world. Jerusalem, has many significant sites that come of out of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

2)Jerusalem was founded on top of a plateau in the Judean Mountains.  The city is now surrounded by valleys and dried up river beds.  At one time, the city was surrounded by large forests, which have since disappeared.  The biggest reason I feel that Jerusalem was established where it was because of the raised elevation of the plateau.  This allowed the people of the city to see what was coming from long distances.  Another thing that may have led to the particular spot of Jerusalem was the rivers that ran near the city.  Today there is nothing more than dried up river beds, but thousands of years ago there may have been several rivers that flowed near the city.  This is an important thing for any ancient city because it provided a means of transportation in and out of the city.

3) Old City. Map. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/60382/Old-City-of-Jerusalem >

City layout/boundaries:

> Jerusalem boundaries, extended by Israel in June 1967 and again in 1993;from Jerusalem Airport (North) to nearly West Bank town of Bethlehem (South); from the ridge of Mount Scopus and the Mount of Olives (East) to Mount Herzl, ʿEn Kerem, and the Hadassah Medical Centre of the Hebrew University (West).

>The Old Cityforms a walled quadrilateral about 3,000 feet (900 metres) long on each side.

Land uses:

> 2.2% used for industry and infrastructure

> Har Hotzvim industrial park is home to major corporations (Intel, Teval Pharmaceutical Industries, Ophir Optronics, ECI Telecom)

> Transportation routes (Egged buses, taxicabs, and private cars, rail-based transit system)

> Because of the limited water supply, the land is a site for aqueducts, tunnels, cisterns, and pools within the city

> Site for mosques, universities, archaeological sites, neighborhoods, synagogues, churches, and mountains

4) There were many components that  influence the culture of of Jerusalem. As mention before there were rivers in the ancient Jerusalem that could have possibly influence the life style of the people of Jerusalem. Also much of the culture of the architecture of Jerusalem was influence by religion for example David built a Temple to “associate his royal line” with God. Much of Davids ruling was influence by his believe that God has an influence on way of living. Under kind Solemon there was a great Temple called Beit ha-Midkash.  

Agriculture also influence the life of the people of Jerusalem.According to several sources the majority of people were part of agriculture. Furthermore, the crops that were being produced influence the food culture of Jerusalem. For example lentils became part of the daily diet of the people of Jerusalem.

http://www.theancientweb.com/explore/content.aspx?content_id=16

http://www.bible.gen.nz/amos/culture/agriculture.htm

5)In 1003 BCE, King David established Jerusalem as capital of United Kingdom of Israel. The city indeed flourished due to the prominent religion in the city, Judaism. The construction of the first Temple was initiated by King Solomon. Religious tensions and clashing ideas of other rulers led to unstable fluctuations in the city. The destruction of the first Temple was a key event that would determine the future of one specific group, the Jews. There was constant damage to the infrastructure of the city due to the instability of ruling; there was continues fall and raises of regimes. Although the city was captured and recovered numerous times it too also suffered division of territory and of its people. As a sign of recovery, a second Temple was constructed but would fall as Jerusalem fell to the knees of Titus. As a result of significant events, the city was reconstructed constantly to fit the needs of the members of an unstable Jerusalem and future capital of Israel.

Amsterdam

1)Amsterdam is the capitol of the Netherlands. The city is one of the most important ports for the Netherlands. Amsterdam is sits in Western Europe. The city borders Belgium and Germany. To the city`s north and west is the North Sea.

2)The abundance of water around Amsterdam was a highly attractive point for the siting of the city.  Fishermen who lived along the banks of the Amstel River built a bridge across it. There were wooden doors on this bridge that served as a dam to keep the city from flooding. Most of the land lies below sea-level, making the ground soft and marsh-like. The mouth of the Amstel River formed a natural harbor which would be important for trade purposes. The canals were added in the Middle Ages for defence purposes and to help manage the water. The city began to expand and Amsterdam found many of the canals falling inside the city, which now allowed them to use them for transportation purposes. In conclusion, the city of Amsterdam’s largest appeal to settlers was the surrounding waters and the natural harbor that the river created. This created the chance for Amsterdam to benefit economically from trade.

3)  City layout/boundaries:

> Central Station is the main train depot around which the entirety of the city is arranged in concentric semicircles of canals

> Smaller canals and streets connect to the main ones, extending from the Old city

> Singelgracht canal acts as a boundary surrounding the Old City (The Center)

> Canal Belt: semicircle collection of waterways constructed around the Old City

> Jordaan: grouping of small streets and canals west of the Old City

Land uses:

> Museumplein Area: home to the city’s major museums (Van Gogh, Stedelijk, Rijksmuseum) and Vondelpark

> Formed as a fishing village (13^th c.)

> Site of trade; canals and ports (14^th-15^th c.)

> Landscape prospered with fields of tulips

> Site of prolific urban growth during the Golden Age; modern diamond industry dates back to the Golden Age

> Site of tourism: Famed Red Light District, bridges, houses, canals, history and art.

4) Much of the culture in Amsterdam in influence by entertainment purposes.Many of the cultural practices in Amsterdam are influence by the Dutch culture. Part of the Dutch culture includes the influence of music and theater. An example of culture influencing the city is when the city turns orange to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. More than just wearing and decorating the place with anything orange that people incorporate music into the celebration. Here on could see how the city culture influences the people and how the people of the city influence the culture. Amsterdam’s transportation is like many metropolitan cities.

http://www.amsterdamescape.com/culture.html

 

5) One of the most important things that allowed Amsterdam to grow was the waters that surrounded it. Creating a harbor allowed for travelers, by sea, to reach this growing city. This attracted numerous people to want to settle in the city for couple of reasons. One reason was economic reasons; it was known as renounced fishing village in the 12th century. Since more people were migrating to Amsterdam, canals were constructed, which meant more trade and faster ways to travel through the growing city. Another reason was due to historical events, such as the second world war, which forced people to migrate to Netherlands as it built affordable homes. This city did not decline, rather it expanded over time. What started as an attempt to build a bridge in 1275 has now become the cultural and financial capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam.

Mecca and Cairo

Why was the city founded?

Mecca (Ancient)—The story behind Mecca is that Adam and Eve wandered the Earth, and came together in the city of Mecca around 200 BC. Over 1000 years later Abraham moved his family to Mecca, according to Islamic tradition. The prophet Muhammed was born in Mecca, raising Mecca to a significant status. It is now considered the holiest place in the religion of Islam, which Muhammed dedicated. Muslims are expected to travel to the city of Mecca sometime in their life to offer prayers. It is where the mosque Ka’ba is located.

Cairo (Modern)—Cairo was first a military encampment in 641 AD. A few hundred years later, an Islamic sect named the Fatimids became the rulers of Egypt, and Cairo became their capital. From the 13^th to the 15^th century, it was one of the greatest cities for trade. It has been consistently modernized since circa 1830 when modernization of Cairo first accelerated.

How did geography play a role in the siting of the city?

Mecca (Ancient)—Situated in a low-altitude area of present day Saudi Arabia, Mecca lies fifty miles from the Red Sea. There isn’t much accommodating geography to encourage placing a city at Mecca. Its climate is hot, there isn’t much plant or animal life, and low annual rainfall numbers means that it is not a very hospitable location; however, its relationship to religious artifacts (the Ka’bah and birthplace of Muhammad in particular) means that it was—and continues to be—an important place for Islamic and pagan ritual. It was also located along the lines of an important trade route at the time, which allowed the city to grow.

Cairo (Modern)—Located on the banks of the Nile, the city depends on the river for a water source as well as fertile ground. Irrigation systems stemming from the Nile have allowed Cairo to flourish and expand as a city. Because the Nile shifts its course over time, some parts of the city have retreated further from the river, while others have grown closer. Access to the Nile also allows Cairo to prosper as an important port city. Since lands beyond the Nile are largely uninhabitable desert, Cairo is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

How was the city layed out?

Mecca (Ancient)—Mecca’s expansion as a city is limited by natural boundaries. Nestled in “the hollow of Mecca,” the city lies in a corridor between two mountain ranges, in three low-elevation valleys. Water channels built underneath the city linked the city’s most important resource to two springs in the surrounding mountains. The sacred mosque, Masjid al-Haram, lies at the heart of the city, the central point from which the city grew outward. Several undeveloped plains lie just outside the mosque as makeshift camping areas for pilgrims, and beyond that is Old Mecca. Once a residential neighborhood, Old Mecca now includes wide avenues, plazas, and other public spaces, with surrounding two- and three-story homes.

Cairo (Modern)—Greater Cairo extends away from the Nile in a metropolis in all directions, though the city of Cairo resides only on the east bank of the Nile (it also includes two islands within the Nile that have been exposed over time through shifts in water flow). Although the city itself was founded along the banks of the river, the older parts of Cairo are further away from the banks, and the newer districts closer, as a result of a westward shift in the river. This shift was compounded by changes in water level from the early infrastructure of levees and dams, which worked to provide more usable land area. The city’s growth was facilitated by an extensive road network that has existed for several centuries, and now connects suburbs on all sides, including the city of Giza. With the population reaching fifteen million, urban planners are dissatisfied with the ten satellite suburbs’ lack of organization, a mid-twentieth century attempt to draw Cairenes out of the city center. In comparison to the internationally recommended 20 square meters of green space per person, Cairenes enjoy only 1.65 square meters. The city has grown up in accommodation of a housing appetite rather than one for public space.

How did culture influence the city and how did the city influence the culture?

Mecca (Ancient)—Located western Saudi Arabia near Jiddah, the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad, Islam pervades Mecca. Islamic views penetrate the culture, therefore influencing the city itself through the construction of mosques and restaurants, as well as through efforts to preserve sacred sites. Mecca houses the Masjid al-Haram, the huge mosque and pilgrimage site that can host seven hundred thousand people at one time. Outside of Mecca itself, Muslims around the world face Mecca during their daily prayers and one of the key tenets of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a Muslim's life (known as Hajj). As a result, ten million Muslims visit Mecca annually, transforming the city into a tourist place. This influx of visitors requires a great deal of logistical planning by the Saudi government; hotels and other services in the city are stretched to their limits during the pilgrimage. Mecca itself is off-limits to all non-Muslims; road blocks are stationed along roads leading to the city.

Because of the many different ethnicities and nationalities amongst Mecca residents, Mecca has been described as a place with international cuisine rather than simply providing traditional fare. Because of the pilgrimage voyages to Mecca, the city has many fast food chains that cater both to locals and pilgrimages. The city lacks any public transportation options for residents and visitors alike, both during and outside of the pilgrimage season. The main transportation options available for travel within and around the city are either personal vehicles or private taxis. The Meccan economy has been heavily dependent on the annual pilgrimage.

Cairo (Modern)—Cairo means “The vanquisher” or “The Conqueror” capital of Egypt. Egypt's love of the arts can be traced back to the rich heritage bequeathed by the Pharaohs. In modern times, Egypt has enjoyed a strong cinematic tradition since the art of filmmaking was first developed early in the 20th century. A natural progression from the active theatre scene of the time, cinema rapidly evolved into a vast motion picture industry. Cairo culture reflects Islamic tradition in the form of mosques, museums, galleries, and the live forms of music and dance.

Cairo has been ruled by Persians, Pharaohs, Romans, Arabian caliphs, British colonials and more, and has nurtured the establishment of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions. 

Transportation in Cairo includes an extensive road network, rail system, subway systems, and road transportation; coupled with extreme population density, Cairo traffic is overwhelming and overcrowded.

The people of Egypt are Cairenes. Many people are poor, employed in factories or small shops. Most middle class and the wealthy live in Garden City, on the islands, or in the suburbs. Most Cairenes live in apartment buildings. Only the wealthy can afford to live in free-standing houses because space is difficult to find. Because the majority of people in Egypt are Muslim, Egyptian government offices and business observe Friday as the day of rest. Many government offices are open Sunday through Thursday, and most universities and some private schools also hold classes Sunday through Thursday, and are closed Friday and Saturday. Like many other societies in the Mediterranean region, lunch is the main meal of the day, eaten at about two or three o'clock in the afternoon. Muslims do not eat pork, so most Egyptian food does not include pork products. The rich history of Cairo now constitutes a major tourist attraction—the Great Pyramids of Giza, ancient temples, tombs, Christian churches, Muslim monuments, and the Egyptian Antiquities Museum all lie either within or on the outskirts of the city.

What allowed the city to grow, flourish, and decline (if it did)?

Mecca (Ancient)—Located on multiple trade routes, Mecca had a perfect commercial location, and became an important center for trade by the 7^th century, flourishing with an influx of people. Surrounding local tribes warred constantly during most of the early centuries, but once a year they would declare a truce to meet in Mecca for an annual pilgrimage. The journey to Mecca was intended for religious reasons by pagan Arabs to pay homage to their shrine, and drink from the Zamzam well. This time also allowed for debts to be resolved and for trade to take place. By doing so, the tribes gained a sense of common identity, making Mecca an important focus for the peninsula. When the Ottoman Empire collapsed in 1916, the local rulers established the Hashemite Kingdom of Hejaz, absorbed by the Saudis in 1925. Mecca has been expanding in size and infrastructure ever since.

Cairo (Modern)—Located upstream from the Nile River, Cairo has been a focal point since ancient Egypt. Around the 4^th Century, the Romans established a fortress town along the east bank of the Nile, called Babylon, which became an important Christian enclave within Cairo. Cairo was the center of Islamic scholarship and a crossroads on the spice trade route between Europe and Asia. Later, Cairo became a center for learning, containing a library with hundreds of thousands of books and also a university, which is now the third oldest in the world. Today, Cairo is the capital of Egypt, though its political history extends back to 1250, when the Mamluks seized Egypt and named Cairo as their capital. Many of the buildings were sold and demolished and replaced by newer buildings, contributing to the city’s expansion.

Tenochtitlan and Lima

Q 3: Tenochtitlan-How was the city laid out? (map, boundaries, design, land uses)

Tenochtitlan was at first constructed like many other city-state capitals with an organized central area that was surrounded by unorganized districts. However, since Tenochtitlan had become the capital of the Aztec civilization, it was decided that it was time to renovate.  They wanted the city’s renewed layout to be radiant as well as be prestigious and intelligent in its appearance. Grid lines became an eminent feature to this renewed layout. The central region was not only renovated to match this grid; the outskirts were as well to make the entire city more organized.  The people of Tenochtitlan borrowed a lot of stylistic designs from Teotihuacan and Tula to rebuild their city, including certain architectural styles, sculpture as well as this grid pattern. The city was divided into four zones or campan, each campan was divided on 20 districts, calpullis, and each calpulli was crossed by streets or tlaxilcalli. There were three main streets that crossed the city, each leading to one of the three causeways to the mainland; they were reported to be wide enough for ten horses. The calpullis were divided by channels used for transportation, with wood bridges that were removed at night. These canals divided the city into the four cardinal directions.  The center of the city was used to house public buildings, temples and schools. In the center of each of the four surrounding quadrants there was also a central plaza. This city center was also home to a walled square, 90000 feet in area,that served as the main ceremonial center for Tenochtitlan’s people. Outside of the city centers, were the houses of its people.  The houses of the lords and nobles normally surrounded the market places and civic centers. On the outskirts of the city, there were gardens in the swamps.  By using their superior farming skills, these people made chinampas, rectangular patches of earth in the swamp, to cultivate plants for food and to build houses on.  They were able to have very productive planting areas because of this technology. Most importantly, the city had a great symmetry that contributed to its prestigious look. All constructions had to be approved by the calmimilocatl, a functionary in charge of the city planning, so that the desired style of the renewed city could be achieved. Water, Lake Texcoco, served as a for the boundary of the city



Q 3: Lima- How was the city laid out? (map, boundaries, design, land uses)

Lima contains a series of layouts and townscapes that are pertinent to its long history. The center of old Lima, defined by Spanish colonists in the 16th century and partly enclosed by defensive walls in the 17th, retains a checkerboard street pattern. Bounded on the north by the Rímac River and on the east, south, and west by broad avenues, old Lima contains a few restored colonial buildings interspersed among buildings of more modern centuries, many of which were built upon the sites of former colonial residences that had collapsed during the major earthquakes that have struck the city. The old walls, however, were demolished in the mid-19th century. Two principal squares, the Plaza de Armas and the Plaza Bolívar, are still the focal point of architectural interest within central Lima. The Presidential Palace and many other buildings reflect the past popularity of the French Empire Style on the. On the north side of the Rímac, the old colonial suburb of the same name conserves relics of its past in its curved, narrow streets, tightly packed with single-story houses, and its Alameda de los Descalzos (“Boulevard of the Barefoot Monks”).The former residential zone of central Lima has undergone several radical modifications. Most of the old spacious mansions have been subdivided so that they now accommodate as many as 50 families. These have been occupied by immigrants from the countryside striving to gain a foothold in the urban economy and society. Other parts of old Lima have experienced demolition and reconstruction. Housing has given way to banks, insurance offices, law firms, and government offices. There have been repeated attempts to stimulate pride in El Cercado (the formerly walled enclosure). Central Lima contains relatively few outstanding architectural features. Lima did not expand much beyond the walls of the old city until railways and tramlines were constructed in the mid-19th century. For the next 75 years, the axes of urban development from old Lima assuming distinctive characters: the area west to Callao became the 

industrial corridor; the sweeping bay frontage to the south from Barranco to Magdalena was transformed into the choice residential zone; and eastward, toward Vitarte, a mix of industrial and lower-class suburbs emerged. As the pace of urban expansion increased in the 1930s, small communities formed in the open country between Lima and the coast. These gradually coalesced into such urban districts. The numerous farms and small tracts of cultivated land between suburbs and barren, dry land also became urbanized as immigrants from the interior occupied these areas. In the 1950s Lima became noted for these squatter camps of shanties, which as they became more permanently established. These communities have come to contain one-third of the population of metropolitan Lima. Lima’s contemporary townscapes provide such contrasts that it is easy to forget that the rich and the poor belong to the same society. Within a few blocks one can move from luxury to abject poverty. With downtown Lima often heavily congested with traffic, suburban locations were chosen for many new businesses, factories, and shopping centres. In some areas, classic corner stores run by Chinese and Japanese immigrants and their descendants are fighting a losing battle against the competition of large, hygienic supermarkets. Elsewhere, however, open-air markets and crowds of vendors are numerous.

Q 4: How did culture influence the city and how did the city influence the culture- Tenochtitlan

The Aztec cultures were based education, cultivation, and worshiping their Gods. Educating the Aztec children was very important for this population because this was the way the elders were able to make their empire flourish. The boys would learn how to farm and fish by their fathers, while the girls would learn how to cool and weave from their mothers. Yet both genders would attend school to learn about religion, history, dance and music. But the older boys would learn how to fight in battle. Learning how to cultivate was very vital to the Aztec, their diet was mostly based on vegetation before they were concurred the Spaniards. One of the main vegetable that they used was maize. But the Aztecs also ate tomatoes, avocados, beans and peppers, pumpkins, squashes, and chocolate. The houses of the Aztec people were generally made of wood and loam while the rooftops were made from reeds. Only the temples, pyramids and the palaces of the nobles and the royalty were made with stone. Therefore, in the middle of the city there would be huge building in which of those buildings were there because of religious purposes. Aztec temples dedicated to different gods and goddesses .The main temple of worship for example, the temple of the sun, places of sacrifice and other small temples dedicated to other minor events. Since Tenochtitlan was intersected with canals for moving goods, the streets of were regularly cleaned. Also the Aztecs went to markets and bought products like cloth, food and other necessities, which attracted about than 50,000 people a day.

Q4: How culture influence the city and how did the city influence the culture-Lima

Peruvian culture may seem divided between indigenous and modern society, for example some people live in the mountains and others in the city. Rural communities are based on family-owned fields with the assistance of draft animals. Since the economy failed this led Lima to be based on traditional market street trade which have become an huge part of daily life. Street vendors can be found on every corner selling a huge variety of goods. Most of the transportation is done by foot. The culture of Peru is very diverse; for example they are also people from African, Chinese, and both Inca and Spanish influences. Since the city has a lot of different kind of people, this influences the art in the city. Peruvian art is known for its connection in their history which dates back thousands of years, preserved by the local community. Moreover, in Lima they are a lot of Plazas in which almost 3,000 festivals are celebrated throughout the year. The modern culture of Peru combines all of festivals and ancient heritage, but also with Spanish and modern influences.

Q1: Why was Tenochtitlan founded?

The city was originally built in the Valley of Mexico on an island in a large lake during the 14th century, approximately around the year 1325 and was formally called Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan was home to the rapidly growing Aztec Empire and civilization. The Aztec tribes were said to be outcasts wandering around central Mexico who believed in an ancient prophecy saying their tribe 

would discover the destined location of a great city when they came across an eagle eating a snake atop a cactus (this prophecy is reflected on the Mexican flag). The Aztec’s claimed they saw this vision on an island in the Valley of Mexico, an island on Lake Texcoco, and so this is where they built their city. The city was thought to be one of the largest in the world and subsequently, the city was captured and destroyed by Spain in 1519 and eventually rebuilt by 1525. The King of Spain wanted to rebuild the city so his kingdom could more efficiently utilize the city economically. The new city would become the center of Mexico, the Viceroyalty of the New Spain, and would be named Mexico City (Cuidad de México). Essentially, Mexico City is built on, and around the Tenochtitlan ruins.

Q1: Why was the city founded?- Lima

The founding of Lima occurred in January of 1535. The city was said to be founded on the day of Epiphany, the Christian holiday commemorating the reveal of Jesus as Christ and the baptism of Jesus, so Lima’s founder, Francisco Pizarro called it the “City of Kings.”  Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador that came to Peru to create an empire for himself. After seizing many empires, Pizarro decided to consolidate his dominion. This is when he founded Lima; he picked its location because it is near the Pacific coast and major fresh water rivers, the perfect place to develop a Spanish port. Pizarro was murdered in the Palace of Lima in 1541, and a year later the kingdom of Spain designated the city of Lima as the Viceroyalty of Peru in the year 1542. For three centuries, Lima was the headquarters for the Spanish government and culture, and was home to the High Court of Spain, the real audiencia, and the Spanish Inquisition for some point in time. During the 1800’s Lima remained loyal to Spain, unlike surrounding territories. Peru then claimed its independence in 1821, and Lima became the capital. During the mid-1800’s, Lima developed railroads, and roads, and rapidly grew as a capital city. After World War II, a lot of people migrated to Lima, and by the 1980’s it was poverty stricken and basically overrun by guerrilla movements.

Q2: How did geography play a role in the siting of the city Tenochtitlan?:

Tenochtitlan was an island in the middle of the shallow Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. The island was connected to the mainland by causeways and bridges that they could pull away if under attack. The city had many canals so that people could easily travel by both foot and canoe. There was a levee in the city that allowed for constant fresh water to enter the city and for the saline water to be stored to the east of the city. The city was built on the island for safety and security reasons and also for privacy from other travelers.



Q2:How did geography play a role in the siting of the city Lima:

Lima is located on the Western coast of Peru. The entire western boarder of Lima is the Pacific Ocean while the east coast is Andean zone. Because of the coastline Lima has easy access to ports and natural resources from the ocean- fresh fist etc. Lima was once a territory of many cultures because of the access to the different geographical locations, therefore Lima has taken on many aspects of the prior cultures such as traditions and rituals. Because of Limas location it is now a popular tourist area because of the access to the mountains for adventure sports and the miles of coastline access to the beach.

Q5: What allowed the city to flourish?-Tenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan was a city founded in Mexico around the year 1325. It was the capital city of the Aztecs. The city was located on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. This closeness to water was a huge factor for allowing the city to flourish, as water is a necessity to survive. Also, the water surrounding the city made it hard for surrounding tribes to attack the city. Inside the city, there was a canal system that allowed for travel through the city by canoe. Another reason for why this city flourished was that it was a hive of activity for both merchants and artisans. All of the business that was going on in the city plus the access to water made this city an attractive place for people to live and allow the city to flourish.

The decline of Tenochtitlan started in 1519 when Hernan Cortés saw the great city for the first time. Cortés entered the city and put the current leader under house arrest. After a few months, the Aztecs revolted against the Spaniard invasion of their city and drove them out. Cortés regrouped and decided to lay siege to the city in 1521. After three months, the leader of Tenochtitlan decided to surrender the city to the Spaniards.

Q5: What allowed the city to flourish?- Lima

The city of Lima is located on the west coast of South America in Peru. Lima is the capital of Peru and the largest city. The city was founded in 1535 and was the capital and most important city in the Spanish territory of Peru. Lima then became the capital of the Republic of Peru after Peruvian War of Independence in the early 1800’s. The city was chosen as the capital for many reasons. Location is a big reason for why Lima is has been the capital for so many years. It is located around the middle of the country of Peru and right on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. This gives the inhabitants easy access to water. This access to water makes the city attractive for business people and traders. Since Lima’s founding, it has been able to grow substantially and is still growing. Lima is the fifth largest city in Latin America and it is home to one of the largest financial hubs in South America.

Athens and Perth

Why was the city founded?

Athens

Athens was originally founded because of the large hill it was placed on, which was important for defending land against possible attacks. The city was built around this hill that came to be known as the Acropolis, which means the “high city.”

Perth

Perth was the first full-scale establishment by Europeans on the western coast of Australia. The British Army founded the city when they feared the French would annex the area.

How did geography play a role in the siting of the city?

Athens

Athens is located in the Attica Basin and in the center of the Greek world. The city is also located on the sea, which gave the Athenians great naval and trading power. The city is surrounded by mountains to the west, north, northeast and east which was valuable to prevent and stop invasion. Athens was built around many hills, including Lycabettus, which is one of the tallest hills that allows for a view of the entire Attica Basin. This could also have contributed to strong army and fighting defenses. The city is located between many mountains, fertile valleys and among many farms that provide space, landscape and land for many inhabitants to live with prosperous food to keep and trade. The space also allowed for Athenians to form communities and connections with neighbors in their non-nomadic lifestyle. Attica also had valuable sources of silver, lead and marble to utilize and mine.

Perth

Perth is located on the western coast of Australia in the state of Western Australia. Perth contains two major river systems: the Swan and Canning Rivers, and the Serpentine and Murray Rivers. The Swan is the most important and famous for shipment and transportation. Though the summers are mostly hot and dry, Perth’s location allows for east-blowing winds that cool the city. The fertile soil around the rivers was attractive to settlers.

How was the city laid out? (map, boundaries, design, land uses)

Athens

Ancient Athens was surrounded entirely by a massive wall. It covered an area measuring about one mile from east to west and slightly less than that from north to south. The Acropolis (the highest point of the city) was situated just south of the center of this walled area. The Agora, 

the social center of the city, lay about 1300 feet north of the Acropolis, in what is now the Monastiraki district. The hill of the Pnyx, where the Athenian Assembly met, lay at the western end of the city. The Eridanus river flowed through the city.

Athens’ architecture followed the same design of every Greek town at that point in time. Athens had a temple that was mainly used as a storing place, similar to other cities. Athens also had a tholos (circular temple); the city’s tholos is called the Stoa of Attalus and is still standing today. The last main architectural structure in Athens was the theatre, which housed public meetings and dramatic performances.

Perth

Perth if the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The city is located in the South West Division of Western Australia, between the Indian Ocean and an area known as the Darling Range. The central business district and suburbs of Perth are situated on the banks of the Swan River.

Perth is centered around a main business district. This central business district is surrounded by the Swan River from the south and east. The west end of the city is cut off by Kings Park, the most famous park in Perth. Lastly the north side of city is edged by numerous railway lines.

How did the culture influence the city and how did the city influence the culture? (relationship to Nature, housing, energy, food, transportation)

Athens

As one of the world’s oldest cites and recognized as the foundation of Western Civilization, Athens represents the origin of historically celebrated art, monuments, philosophy, democracy and religion. The City of Athens operates the Dodecanese Home Museum, the Centre of Folk Art and Tradition, the Loukia Georgandi Museum, the Eleftherios Venizelos Museum and the Haridimos Shadow Puppet Museum-Theatre, all of which are managed by the City of Athens Cultural Organization (PODA) to help preserve art. PODA’s primary objective is to provide quality cultural exploration through entertainment, education of the arts, environmental concerns and technology. Through these programs, people are continually reminded of the archaeological and arts of their city.

Besides art and awareness of historical background, Athens promotes the understanding and preservation of architectural structures and places with world-renown meaning. Athens is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, or places defined by committees as naturally or culturally significant. In Athens, both the Acropolis of Athens and the Daphni Monastery are connected to Greek mythology. Parthenon, another monument, is dedicated to Athena, the goddess the city is named after. These sites are tied to Gods and religious beliefs involved in elaborate stories involving characters with specific personalities and backgrounds.

These religious beliefs are central to the culture of Athens and its descendants because it changed the way they thought about the world. Zeus was the God of all Gods, manipulating the divine and mortals around him as the most powerful God. Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, wilderness and animals, was praised and prayed to for food and resources. Dionysus was the Goddess of celebration and wine-drinking. Poseidon was the God of the sea and determined travel and weather patterns. Also, Socrates, Aristotle and Plato are well-known philosophers from Athens who theorized about the world and its people. These people and other Athenians 

used their own ideas and cultural principles to formulate ideas of the world. Athens is also the place of origin for democracy, back then a novel way to approach politics.

These ideas still suffuse the city as its people and organizations devote time, effort and energy to monuments and architectural buildings with careful urban planning. Restoring and preserving these structures that mean so much to its people and symbolize their history is quite important to them, especially in the midst of constructing new ones. For example, the production of the Athens Metro, Electric Railway (ISAP), Suburban rail (Proastiakos) bus and tram systems required careful consideration of building around pre-existing structures and forming new accessible ones. Modifying this ancient city, although demanding yet another group of people to determine what will happen to it, involves debating the historical and cultural significances that still affect life in Athens today.

Perth

In many ways, Australia is similar to America in migration patterns and cultural values. Indigenous Australians first lived on the continent for 40,000 years before the Dutch discovered it. Much like Native Americans, Aboriginals, although a small percentage of the population, still express the values and beliefs their ancestors held. An estimated 250 languages have been recorded among different groups of Aboriginals, only 15 of which are acknowledged as extant and spoken across all ages today. The Wangai Murchison-Gascoyne and Nyungar people specific to the state of Western Australia interacted with the British settlers to define novel culture that is still transforming today.

After official settlement in 1788, the British claimed Australia as their territory and used it to house convicts. The Wangai people played an important role in the discovery of gold, which led to profitable mining communities in Western Australia. Along with the Wangai, the Aborigines of the Murchison-Gascoyne region as well as the Nyungar helped teach settlers how to hunt endemic species and identify water sources. They only lived for a short time with the convicts and settlers before the new established government imprisoned or forced them to leave their land.

Currently, the dynamic relationship between Aboriginals, immigrants and other students and job-seeking people (commonly from East Asian countries such as Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia) contribute to the rich and diverse culture of Perth. Several museums and galleries such as the Western Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of Western Australia and Perth Cultural Centre provide places for tourists and Australians to visit and explore historical, geological, ethnological and biological specimens and artifacts, as well as contemporary art and installations. Many museums also house botanical, anthropological, archaeological, maritime archaeological and social and cultural history collections. Some of these include rock or bark painting, which was very popular art for Aborigines to make. Also, Perth is home to the West Australian Ballet, West Australian Opera and West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Because it is near the water, Perth is also known for its dedication to water sports, as well as Australian football and cricket. Conservation efforts towards seven regions acknowledged as ‘biodiversity hot-spots,’ which are devoted to endangered species and threatened landscapes are also sites to visit that explain Australians’ value and perception of Earth.

Other natural resource usages, besides sites of conservation and preservation, are important to Perth and affect the way its people use the land. The Nyungar territory forms closely with the South-west Indian Ocean Drainage Region and the use of these water resources 

became essential. Perth's growth and relative prosperity, especially since the mid-1960s, resulted from resource industries which produce gold, iron ore, nickel, alumina, diamonds, mineral sands, coal, oil, and natural gas. The production of these materials not only uses the land conservatively but also is a source of employment to many people. However, the central business district of Perth is bounded by the Swan River to the south and east, with Kings Park on the western end, while the railway lines form a northern border. Perth’s government plans to create a transportation system called ‘The Link’ which will change the landscape and layout of the city but will increase access to the many attractions of the city.

What allowed the city to grow, flourish and decline (if it did)?

Athens

According to tradition, Athens was founded by King Theseus. Theseus united several settlements of Attica. Athens grew under nobles but mostly under Solon who gave the debts back to the citizens and freed those who were slaved because of debt. He also split the Athenians into four groups going from rich to poor; this was the first stages of democracy. Another reason that Athens grew was because of the Acropolis which was easily defendable as well as Athens is close to a port city. Athens flourished around the time 480 BC. This was the heart of democracy. Kleisthenes divided the Athenians in 10 races with ten municipalities each. In each race belong citizens from various areas of Attica and thus the rich ceased to be a noble themselves and a strong class as they mixed with other fellow citizens. The fall of Athens was due to the Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta. It started because the Athenians stole the Delian Treasury because their city was destroyed because they gave up their city to win the war vs. the Persians. Sparta didn’t think it was fair for them to steal the treasury because it was everyone’s money and not just Athens.

Perth

Perth was founded on August 12, 1829 and settled by the British. The reason it was settled was because the botanist Charles Fraser did tests on the Swan River colony and found that it had high quality soil. Because it was the most fertile land around Perth, the city did not grow right away and centered around the Swan River colony. Since most of the land was not fertile, the city accepted convicts from Britain. Perth flourished because the convicts were there in the 19^th century to build the cities. Also, because of the gold rush in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie from 1892–1893, the population of Perth tripled from just 8,447 in 1891 to 27,553. In 1900 Perth joined the Federation of Australia which construction of a transcontinental railway line to from the eastern states. Perth has continued to flourish and has not fallen.

Rome and Sydney

Question: How was the city founded?

Rome

Virgil’s Aeneid has Aeneas ordering the defeated army of Troy to sail to the Italian coast where their descendants later found Rome. One story states that Romulus and Remus are descendants of the Trojans and are twin sons of the war god Mars. As infants they were left out to die, but a shepherd finds them being cared for by a wolf and saves them from exposure. When they grow up they found the city of Rome but argue about who it should be named after and who should rule. There is a skirmish and Romulus kills Remus. Thus, the city is named Rome after Romulus. Rome needed inhabitants so they opened the gates to criminals, exiles and the generally unwanted. This made for a society greatly in need to women, so they hosted a festival and invited people from the surrounding towns. At a signal the men stole the unmarried maidens, later famously known as the Sabine women.

Sydney

On January 26, 1788 a fleet of ships arrived in Australia to create a convict settlement, to exile prisoners from the general British population. The convicts farmed the land and built roads and buildings. The settlement in Australia was deemed necessary because of the loss of the thirteen colonies in America. The area that is now Sydney was settled on because of the fertile soil and the reliable source of fresh water. The land was already inhabited by Aboriginal people numbering between 4000 and 8000. It is estimated that between 500 and 1000 Aboriginals died from smallpox in the years after the British settlement. Sydney is named after Thomas Townshend, Lord Sydney, who was the British Home Secretary at the time.

Question: How did geography play a role in the siting of the city?

Rome

Rome is located in central Italy on the Tiber River. The original settlement of the city formed on seven hills facing a ford—the only natural ford on the Tiber in this area. The proximity to water is an obvious draw for anyone trying to establishment a settlement, providing both resource and the ability to trade and communicate ideas. The city is located 24 kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea, and thus enjoys a Mediterranean-like climate. Because the city is built on volcanic ruins, the soil is extremely rich in water springs and minerals, making it ideal for agriculture and providing food for a growing population.

Sydney

Sydney is located on the Southeast coast of Australia on the Pacific Ocean. On the West the city is bordered by the Blue Mountains, on the North by the Hawkesbury River. Sydney Harbour is the largest natural harbour in the world, created when the ocean level rose and flooded deep river valleys carved into the sandstone. Sydney’s location on the ocean is ideal for trade and travel, thus explaining why the city arose where it did.

Question: How was the city laid out? (map, boundaries, design, land uses)

Rome

- BOUNDARIES: "The emperors from 96-180 AD built a strong environment, extended the boundaries of the empire, and did much to improve the beauty of Rome. After Aurelius died in 180 AD, frequent frontier attacks and plague weakened Rome, beginning its downfall."

- DESIGN: The design of ancient Rome was based on the architecture because the architecture was supposed to attract audiences. The roman architects modeled the design of their buildings after the Greeks. Arches and vaults were common. Famous buildings of Rome include the Coliseum, and many aqueducts and lighthouses. Marble and stone were commonly used materials in the design of buildings.

LAND USES: In ancient Rome, grain was the most important crop, while cattle and sheep were common farm animals of the time.

Sidney

BOUNDARIES: Downtown, Pyrmont, Ultimo, Haymarket, Wooloomooloo and recently, the City of South Sydney became part of the City of Sydney.

DESIGN: No specific architectural style seen throughout the city of Sydney. There are many buildings designed with a classical or old-style. There are also exist many buildings with a contemporary design.

LAND USES: Open spaces in Sydney are used for parks.

From this research, I have concluded that the biggest differences between our ancient city, Rome, and our modern city, Sydney, is what is seen in the architecture. Buildings in ancient Rome had a particular style, and adaptations were made to the style to accompany for an increased population. Sydney contains many beautiful buildings, but there is no particular style involved. the resources used in Rome were marble and stone, these are expensive resources. Today, we use inexpensive materials to design buildings. Today, we use the most time efficient strategies for design also.

As far as land use, ancient cities used open land for crops and livestock. Modern cities use their land for parks, because the areas are more densely populated, so farms are not seen in the middle of a city.

Question: What allowed the city to grow, flourish, and decline (if it did)?

Rome

Rome grew as a city because of its access to crucial trade routes and ports, especially the Mediterranean that allowed connections between Europe and other continents to trade. Along with the trade route access, Rome grew large amounts of grapes, olives, and wheat that became an important part of trading. These two concepts warranted more jobs, and as more people came to Rome it grew from a village into a city, and eventually into an empire that would expand and control large parts of Europe. After it’s initial growth, Rome continued to flourish because of their superior infrastructure, and an organized government and military that offered citizens both protection and sustainability. The city became a leader of structural infrastructure in the world, and this benefitted the city in many ways that would prove beneficial in the long run. The military of the Roman Empire was based in the capital city of Rome, and as the military overtook more land in Europe and had more authoritative control, the city of Rome possessed more dominance and power. As a direct result, the city flourished from the huge amount of trade that occurred in Roman ports and access routes. The eventual downfall of the Roman Empire became apparent, but the city is still intact and is the capital of Rome. In the modern day, Rome doesn’t carry the power that it did several centuries ago, but is still an important city that functions as the capital of a strong economic country.

Sydney

Aborigines initially inhabited the area where Sydney is located, but the city of Sydney was founded by British sea captains who were in search of a place to jail more British and Irish convicts, as well as find more land and natural resources. The first buildings and signs of modernization were built by these convicts, and as more housing became available, immigrants began flocking to Sydney for new life opportunities. The open and uninhabited land created the chance for farmers to harvest crops and goods that could easily be traded because Sydney is located right on the coast of Australia. This boasted trade in the area, and Sydney began to prosper. In the 1950’s, a gold rush brought more immigrants in with the intention of gaining wealth. As trade access grew, the population increased and the city grew both in terms of size and economic standing. This growth lasted past the gold rush, as Sydney has continued to grow to the modern day, and is the largest city in Australia, as well the most crucial port for the continent.

Question: How did the culture influence the city and how did the city influence the culture? (Relationship to Nature, housing, energy, food, transportation).

Rome

The culture of Rome is very pragmatic, and influenced the development of the city. They are a business-minded people. The expression “All roads lead to Rome” should not be taken lightly; Rome did build thousands of miles of roads and it connected the Empire. The Romans tried to control Nature. They also drained the Campus Martius, which was originally a marsh between the Quirinal and Capitoline hill, and became the mustering ground for armies in early Rome. The Roman view on religion was called do ut des (I give in order that you give). There were hundreds of temples in Rome to different deities and aspects, from the god Jupiter Optimus Maximus to the god of wheat blight. The city influenced the culture by where it was founded; the seven hills. The culture of Rome is very hierarchical and you could tell how important a person was by which hill they lived and how high up on it. The city itself is said to have started out as farmland, and forever on, farming was seen as one of the most noble professions, with Cicero extolling in the courtroom his client’s virtue by saying he was a farmer.

Sydney

Has many gardens and open spaces, giving the people a much more relaxed view on life – leading much less stressful lives than comparative Americans. This started way back in the early 19^th century under Governor Macquarie, who had a vision of a beautiful and open city. The gardens were dedicated to the, “recreation and amusement of the inhabitants of the town.” This has also led to the city being known for its art and entertainment, and it competes with Melbourne for the title of the center for Australian art. The gardens were also for the troops to exercise in, which has led to the formation of numerous rugby and cricket leagues in the city.