map of Intramuros (walled city of Manila) by Audrey Ke Zhao

Reminder:

kzhao28 — 2025-07-19 22:55:41 UTC

Your Post Should Include:

What do you notice? Point out at least 2–3 major features (e.g., fortifications, churches, markets).
What does it suggest? Reflect on how space is used to separate, control, or protect.
So what? What can this map tell us about who held power—and who was kept out?
Connection or question: Can you think of a modern example of a city divided by walls, zoning, or social boundaries?

kzhao28 — 2025-07-19 22:56:03 UTC

MAP

2025-07-23 21:14:47 UTC

I see houses, rivers and a beach. The lap has Manila labeled and a Rio (river)

Looks like a nice area overall.

Manila looks like it holds power and tries to separate themselves from their neighbors.

Manila had the best spot of land could be used for trade and transport

Border cities can be seen as cities divided by walls, zoning and boundaries

chsmitch — 2025-07-23 21:58:19 UTC

I noticed an organized city on the banks of a river. I see walls, bridges, and what appears to be a beach.

It looks well laid out and thoughtfully planned.

Europeans or other wealthy individuals likely lived inside the walls because they were easier to defend against native attacks or pirate raids.

Most modern cities have a financial district, a port district, and residential areas.

Jonathan Stenger

jwstenge — 2025-07-23 21:59:46 UTC

Major European infrastructure such as the palace and St. Agustin church is placed in the center of the map and is separated by water and what looks like walled fortifications. Based off of visual clues, it seems as though the European wanted to completely separate themselves from the local indigenous populations which is demarcated by traditions “huts” far from the main downtown center.

yzhao142 — 2025-07-23 21:59:47 UTC

I see city walls, rivers, and many churches and building insider the walls.

The walls shows control, they want to protect Spanish inside and keep other out. And it tell us that power and privilege were concentrated inside the walls. Indigenous people and laborers likely lived outside.

2025-07-23 22:00:34 UTC

I noticed many, many, many houses, as well as a church and a sizeable river running through the city. It may be used to protect the residents from outsiders like criminals, indigenous people, other powers, and pirates. Many modern cities don’t have walls, but there are planned districts and zones.

2025-07-23 22:00:45 UTC

This map shows the walled city of Manila, and the surrounding rivers and settlements. Inside the walled city the buildings appear much larger/more elaborate, while outside they are smaller. This suggests wealth and power are divided between those living in and outside of the walls, which also suggests that only the rich were protected and those who weren't were kept out.