Uploaded on 2019-06-15 by Anna Saveleva

In fact, at least water and transportation (+food) were crucial for human habitat since the beginning of the world history. And they don't lose importance, as we can see from the following example. This is the Tower Bridge in London opened in 1896. The Thames river was the artery for transportation of goods, materials and people and at the same time the source of water. There was a huge dependance on the river being able to let big ships to the port. However, there was an emerging need in transversal transportation link in Eastern London. So, engineers combined both needs and created a bascule bridge. Today, almost no big ships are allowed through the bridge - they use smaller ones with flat roof. That way more cars can ride on the surface of the bridge, so they don't use the opening feature anymore. Thus, Tower Bridge is a clear example of how infrastructure influenced urban forms and how the development of infrastructure changed the functioning of existing form (building).