Transformations of Spanish urban landscapes in the American Southwest, 1821-1900

Abstract

Through an examination of changes in urban structure and building form, I will consider the continuity of historical Spanish urban form in the American Southwest. The study encompasses three phases of increasing Anglo American influence between 1821 and 1900. An analysis of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Socorro and Las Vegas, New Mexico, and Tucson. Arizona will be made in reference to: culturally- embedded models of city form in 16th century Spain and 19th century North America: modifications to those models due to a frontier location; and the geographical context of the Southwest. The method of analysis is based on a matrix of transformation processes and hierarchical levels of scale in the environment, and is applied to historic maps, photographs and written descriptions of the five towns. This method identifies elements of form and processes of change that continue to influence the form of these cities and are thus relevant considerations for architectural and urban design interventions in the present.