Special places archive

Manhattan transformations

Link

From the blurb on the front pages of this website: Manhattan transformations: mapping Manhattan’s skyscraper districts through time

This project uses computer models and interactive animations to depict the dynamic relationship between Manhattan’s skyscrapers and other layers of urban information, such as:

Geological formation, settlement patterns, landfill.
Transportation and communications infrastructure, zoning laws and real estate cycles.

I most enjoyed the Transparent New York part of the site — isometric details of Downtown and Midtown, and a plan view encompassing both. On each of these views you can switch on or off 22 different layers of information, such as 1893-1916 office buildings or landfill. The image above shows Downtown with five of the layers turned on.