NYC Architecture- Houston Street between Sixth Avenue and West Broadway

Houston Street in general is the central east west street in Manhattan downtown, which runs across the town.  It is a street that runs from east to west in Manhattan south. The street was developed across 1930’s in the aim of permitting tunnels constructions the subway independent system[1]. The street serves as a boundary that exists between neighborhoods. Houston Street was named as so after William Houston. Rapid architectural changes are happening in streets across major cities and towns[2].  These transformations are mainly fueled by necessities as well as innovative development. Houston street is not an exception as it has been continuously been involved in developmental changes.  This can be viewed from the street reconstruction design and expansion thus proving that from reports that the street’s changes before and after 1930 can be observed and analyzed.

I observed that Houston Street serves as a one way bound which has two lanes as well as blocks parking.  The rest of the street’s sections are all dual directional with at least three traveling lanes and in every direction being separated using a median.  Houston Street was reconstructed with the partnership of DOT and DDC. This major reconstruction of the west street involved the development of transportation, enhancement of landscapes as well as upgrading utility. The evaluation for the Houston street reconstruction began at least three years prior to its major  construction which took place from 2002 July to 2005 June. The eastern part of Houston Street was reconstructed and completed in 2013.  The reconstruction took place from bowery section to FDR. Houston Street creates a great separation of two major parts of the initially south village termed neighborhood.  The street was increased in a way that was considerable in 1940 leading to several building destruction which were located on the southern side.

The geometry roadway of Houston Street was involved in critical transformations. The moving lanes number was transformed from the initial three up to two along Houston’s Eastbound Street that is located amid west Broadway and Sixth Avenue in accommodating greater sidewalks and median on Houston street south location. DOT was involved in removing parking that existed along Houston’s west bound street in order to generate a wider traveling lane as well as increase the sidewalks on Houston Street’s south direction.  Before the reconstruction occurred there were several important huge vehicles cashing on the wait of making a turn.  This resulted in increasing the median along the street to solve the traffic issues. This was performed amid Broadway and Sixth Avenue in permitting the left turn inlets inclusions.  This median based on my observation of the street’s maps developed pedestrian’s safety through discouraging individuals from participating in mid-block cession. In addition this provided the opportunity for the landscaping of the street due as it acted as the solution.

In addition Houston Street was also involved in changes through the creation of triangle Bedford Park which was developed at Houston’s and Bedford’s intersection.  This was aimed at developing safety as well as intersection.  An additional improvement of safety involved pedestrian’s island installation as well as ramps and pedestrians neck downs.  This helped in developing older individual’s movements along the street. The installation of neck downs helped in decreasing the walking distance for the pedestrians and also to slow the drivers during the streets turns. The historical amenities made significant architectural transformation on Houston Street.

Viewing at archival records changed and supported my personal experience of Houston Street.  This is because I got to experience that Houston street s among the major street that is involved in major and frequent developmental changes.  My experience was not so good while viewing the street due to the exiting traffic harassments as well as the many developments that are taking place.  This experience is supported by the archival records since the population of individuals along the street is growing rapidly.  This factor has therefore contributed to the many architectural transformation as well as improvement.  In addition the street based on my experience is characterized by traffic.  I was able to learn about transportation, initiatives as well as community developments from the viewing of Houston Street. This effect is mainly influenced by urbanization and industrial development in Manhattan.

Based on my opinion, it is clear that the future of Houston Street is brighter. This is because of its increasing convenience and this may ensure that the street gets among the most developed streets.  It was a great experience to view Houston Street under the non-stopping adjustments and developments from the past to the existing. However I observed that despite the fact that the street had developed numerous initiatives in the quest to solve traffic issues this has not been accomplished effectively. This is because traffic issue is still harassing the streets development despite the measures which ranges from safety to accommodation of a wider range of vehicles and pedestrians. One Allen Center is one of the major blocks on Houston street which calls for less attention.  The building is developed on a complex pattern grid which has been utilized on most buildings across the world.  The block is well understood for its nonconformity. The building is part of the street physical changes based on its location as well as design.

In the comparison between the analysis of Houston Street and the research conducted by Nash on London’s regent street, the projects are similar as they are based on major streets in established cities. London and New York are well established and therefore observing developmental changes made on the street is important.  In my opinion Nash would say that the street is well developed but it still requires several changes. The projects are different as they Nash project is based on elevation plans while tis paper is aimed at generating an analysis of Houston street architectural changes.

References

Fisher, Lewis F., and Maria Watson Pfeiffer. 2013. Traditions and visions San Antonio architecture. San Antonio: Trinity University Press. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=1158968.

City Map. 2005. Houston Map. Retrieved from http://www.rususa.com/city/images/citymap_houston_tx.gif

University of Texas. 1922. Houston Historical Map. Retrieved from http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/houston_nw22.jpg

 

[1] Fisher, Lewis F., and Maria Watson Pfeiffer. 2013. Traditions and visions San Antonio architecture. San Antonio: Trinity University Press. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=1158968.

[2] Fisher, Lewis F., and Maria Watson Pfeiffer. 2013. Traditions and visions San Antonio architecture. San Antonio: Trinity University Press. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=1158968.