The Urbanism of Greenwich Village Part I - Review Questions

As you watch the video, you can browse by subject using the course outline and timestamps below. As you progress through the units, you can use the below optional (ungraded) questions to help assess your understanding of the material. Please note that these are not the summative assessment questions to be answered at the end of the course. You will also need to complete the summative assessment in order to earn course credit.

0:00: Introduction to Traditional Urbanism

Review: Which of the following is NOT discussed in the course as an important characteristic of resilient cities and neighborhoods?

1. Small blocks.

Incorrect. Small blocks are important to resilience because they add to street frontage--allowing for more useable commercial space--and additionally make a neighborhood more walkable and easier to navigate.

2. Pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares.

Incorrect. Walkable thoroughfares encourage pedestrian traffic and shopping at the stores along those thoroughfares; in addition, the visibility of shops across the thoroughfare to pedestrians encourages pedestrians to enter those stores.

3. Clearly-defined commercial and residential districts.

Correct! Mixed-use neighborhoods, where a variety of residential, commercial, and public buildings and facilities can be found in the same area, encourage exploration of one's neighborhood and more use of local stores.


33:00: Overview of Greenwich Village, Use of Historical Maps

Review: When considering how neighborhoods are formed and defined, which of the following is true?

1. Neighborhoods are typically formed by defined physical boundaries.

Incorrect. While it is often the case that physical boundaries influence the formation of a neighborhood, such as the waterfront in the case of Greenwich Village, the boundaries of neighborhoods can also occur more gradually and naturally.

2. The formation of neighborhoods doesn't typically meaningfully relate to physical boundaries.

Incorrect. While physical boundaries do not have to define a neighborhood, they can often contribute to their formation. Consider some of the boundaries placed on Greenwich Village; how do they help define the neighborhood?

3. Neighborhoods typically have 'grey-area' borders.

Correct! In the case of Greenwich Village, meaningful boundaries are created by major thoroughfares such as 14th Street and Broadway.


44:31: Case Study of Washington Square Park

Review: Which of the following is true of Vanderbilt Hall?

1. The long walkway leading to the forecourt provides a transitional space.

Incorrect. Consider the positioning of Vanderbilt Hall and what characteristics best contribute to a subtle transitional space.

2. The high arcade in front of the forecourt provides a transitional space.

Correct! The arcade helps to screen the space from the public streets, and when paired with a small staircase, it creates an elevation and distinction from the surrounding area.

3. The tall staircase leading to the forecourt provides a transitional space.

Incorrect. Consider the elevation of the building compared to its surroundings, and what characteristics best contribute to a subtle transitional space.