The Natural Environment

• Landform: Alluvial bottom land. 
• Water and Waterways: The San Antonio River. 
• Climate: Humid subtropical. 
• Flora and fauna Riparian galleria forest. Urban fauna. Degraded flora 
• Natural History: Intermittent waterway. Yanaguana Village. 
 
The Built Environment
 
•  Land Use: Mixed. Some unimproved. Some abandoned.
• Some industrial/residential. Some despoiled. 
• Transportation: Auto/Bus Rail used to be there. Proposed river taxi. 
• No pedestrian paths along river. 
• Public Works: SARA. River Tunnel. Proposed dam may need a funicula. 
• Regulations: Highway Department. SARA. 22 story height limit. 
• Corps of Engineers. Historical Design Review Board. 
• Developmental History: Irish Flats. Light Industrial/Warehousing. 
• Auto Dealerships along Broadway: now many abandoned. 
• Breweries: Pearl to the north is still in operation. 
• Lone Star Brewery has been converted into the SA Museum of Art. 
• Possibility of becoming an art district. 
 
The Human Environment 
 
• Demography: Old Irish Flats. Transients under the bridges. Some 
• Professional offices. Blue collar work places. 
• Cultures: Hispanic, black, anglo, oriental, transients. 
• Neighborhoods: Irish flats. 
• Economy: Flat. Newly vacated auto sales along Broadway. 
• History: The river is the reason the city exists. Original Indian, 
• Spanish and Texan settlement occurred here for the abundant water. 

Last updated: 11 April 1996
This document: http://www.salsa.net/aiasa/center1.html