To see what Times Square looked like before a city was…
““To see what Times Square looked like before a city was there, we turn to a remarkable project called Welikia, which grew out of a smaller project called Mannahatta. The Welikia project has produced a detailed ecological map of the landscape in New York City at the time of the arrival of Europeans. The interactive map, available online at welikia.org, is a fantastic snapshot of a different New York. In 1609, the island of Manhattan was part of a landscape of rolling hills, marshes, woodlands, lakes, and rivers.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A historical reconstruction project maps pre‑colonial Manhattan, revealing its natural terrain before urban development.
In simple terms: The Welikia project visualizes Manhattan’s original hills, marshes, and forests.
Key Takeaway
Use historical maps to understand environmental change.
Themes
history
environment
urban development
geography
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
educational
informative
When to use this quote
- education
- environmental advocacy
- urban design
- research
Key Concepts
cartography
ecology
urban planning
Questions to Reflect On
- How does knowing a place’s original landscape affect current planning?
- What can we learn from past ecosystems?
A Different Perspective
Maps may oversimplify complex ecosystems, risking inaccurate conclusions.