Uploaded on 2015-04-23 by ThomasMinelga

This image is of the downtown area and part of the port area in Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage is the only urban area in all of Alaska and contains almost half of the entire state population. In this photo we can see a number of high-rise commercial buildings, which include hotels, offices and retail property. The foreground is dominated by a more industrial area populated by freight containers, rail cars and warehouses. In the distance is a waterfront, which is part of the port of Anchorage; however, the majority of the port infrastructure cannot be seen in this photo. Also present are roads and a tanker truck carrying fuel. There is a distinct elevation difference as well, with the downtown area situated on a hill above the port area. The first piece of invisible information which can be extracted from this photo is that this is a central area of economic activity based on the types of buildings, objects and vehicles present. The second piece of invisible information is that the composition and weight bearing capacity of the land varies due to elevation, the proximity of the area to the ocean and the underdevelopment of parcels near the waterfront. Understanding the composition and weight bearing capacity of land is vital knowledge for architects and engineers when deciding what size of structure can be built in an area. This contributes greatly to designing a livable and productive city because it minimizes the risk of building foundations sinking or cracking and ensures that their usable life is long. It is also critically important in mitigating the risk posed by earthquakes because knowing what kind of material structures sit on can help designers choose the right kind of seismic safety measures to be included in them. This knowledge is very applicable to Anchorage because most of the city is near the ocean, and as a result there are many parts where the land is soft due to water permeating the ground. This limits the areas where taller buildings can be constructed. The city is also located along the well known ring of fire and experiences many earthquakes, which has an effect on the types of structures built or planning to be built. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14297561972721507.jpg