The topography difference between Brooklyn and Manhattan is a clear reason why Manhattan got to develop much faster than Brooklyn. It is not until when people started diving farmland in Brooklyn, people started moving in. Making Brooklyn residential and Manhattan commercial.

It is often hard to tell the topography difference between two area unless we are comparing them side by side. As we were standing at Brooklyn Borough Hall, we can’t feel that we are on higher sea level than Manhattan. When we arrived at the edge of the Brooklyn Height, next to the BQE, the difference in topography was clear. We were on a hill, looking down toward Manhattan. If we look down toward the BQE, we can see the uneven topography of Brooklyn. It was easier to develop in Manhattan, where the topography is flatter.

Brooklyn started to get the attention of people who got sick of the business of Manhattan. The farmland got divided into many small lots. They were getting sold on the auction. People with capital bought them and renovated them. The newly built houses were then sold to the public as residential houses. Some houses were more valuable than others especially the ones near the edge of the water. they have a good view of the city, they don’t get flooded and they receive good, fresh, clean breezes. People like this area a lot so much that they convinced the city planner of that time to build the BQE to avoid the area. Many houses were built out of wood. Fire spreads rapidly in the neighborhood. Newly built ones were make out of brick. The semi-detached houses on willow street have the same design and emphasis on the door. They have the same ironic columns and the lintel, which is supporting the bricks of the opening. The similarity of the houses means that they were possibly owned by the same person.

When we arrived in Manhattan many buildings were commercial spaces and they were made out of stone. It is because they were used for shipping businesses. The stone gives people a sense of security. Making the building more trustable and making people more likable to store their goods. Cast iron was also incorporate into the building. It is not for decorating the building but fortifying the building. In the end, the buildings were not for people to live in.

Some people like Manhattan and some people favor Brooklyn. Both boroughs have their function. Depending on individuals needs and choosing the right neighborhood will yield a more comfortable living space.