Steel and Skyscrapers: The Evolution of the Modern American City (Video Course)
- Course Number: S1017
- Credits: 1 hours
- Instructor: Ellen Huang, PE
- Price: $10
Course Outline
This video course delves into the fascinating history and development of America's urban landscape, with a particular focus on the role of steel and skyscrapers in shaping modern cities. This course will offer an in-depth look at the transformative impact of architectural advancements, specifically the advent of steel-frame buildings, on urban development and city life. We will explore the role of major technological innovations like the Otis elevator, electric lightbulbs, and significant changes in urban infrastructure, all of which played crucial roles in the rise of skyscrapers. The course will also touch on the importance of life safety codes, which have evolved in response to tragedies and have contributed to making cities safer for their inhabitants. Students will come away with a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between technology, architecture, and societal change that has created the vibrant, thriving cities we see today.
At the end of this course, there will be a multiple-choice, open-book quiz designed to enhance your understanding of the course material.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Be able to understand the critical role of steel in the construction and development of American skyscrapers and the shaping of urban landscapes;
- Be able to analyze the social, economic, and technological changes that drove the evolution of American cities during the 19th and early 20th centuries;
- Be able to evaluate the impact of major historical events such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on life safety regulations in the U.S.; and
- Be able to demonstrate knowledge of the transition from the rural to urban-centric societal structure and its influence on the American urban landscape.