By Elena Pjetergjokaj

Writing about the history of the World Trade Center and its significance within the community without first writing about the history of New York City itself seems almost impossible since they are incredibly interlinked. For this, I must travel back in time to way before the construction began in the 1960s. In fact, I ought to go back a few centuries for this to make sense. From ancient territories that belonged to the Lenape people to European settlements and colorizations around the 15^th century and then fast-forwarding to modern-day times, this city has risen to be a vibrant center of commerce and culture with a very diverse community. Today, it has the title of “the city that never sleeps,” but that wasn’t always the case.

                  At first, many ages ago, New York City, or Manhatta as the Lenape knew it, was a peaceful and very serene landscape, very different from the metropolis in which we live today. The land used to be rich in natural resources, including forests, rivers, etc., which made it a perfect place for people to live. That is why the Lenape started building villages in more fertile areas, such as near the Hudson River. The Lenape used to live in communal dwellings, often longhouses, which were typically made from wood and bark, and the entire extended family would live together, sharing responsibilities and resources. Communal life was their way of life. The jobs were often divided between men who oversaw hunting animals like deer and bears and fishing, while women practiced sustainable farming, growing mainly corn, squash, and beans but also gathering wild plants. (Licht, Walter. Lloyd, F. Mark. Duffin, J.M. McConaghy, D. Mary. “The Original People and Their Land: The Lenape, Pre-History to the 18th Century.” West Philadelphia Collaborative History.https://collaborativehistory.gse.upenn.edu/stories/original-people-and-their-land-lenape-pre-history-18th-century ). The Lenape were known to live in peace in peace with nature and had a deep connection with it.They had a deep belief that every element of it possessed a spirit, and they deserved respect. This belief and their commitment to maintaining balance with nature was what helped them thrive for millennia, creating a deep connection not only with Earth but also within their community. Yet, the arrival of European explorers was a canon event that was bound to change everything.

            1524 was the year that marked the first known European contact with this region. Giovanni de Verrazzano, an Italian explorer, arrived on the shores and was the person who “discovered” the land that would eventually be known as New York City, but it wasn’t until the beginning of the 1600s that the changes started to happen. This was when the Dutch started establishing a permanent settlement in the southern tip of Manhattan and naming the region New Amsterdam. In the beginning, when the Dutch first arrived, they started by trading, especially furs, and at first, the Lenape were welcoming to them. After all, both groups benefited in their own ways. However, this quickly took an unexpected turn when the Europeans started taking over Lenape land, asking for more space to accommodate their increasing population and disrupting the power balance. By the time 1664 came around, the English took over the area and renamed it New York, and the once peaceful coexistence between the Indigenous people and the settlers had long been broken. The fast-paced growth of the city brought new waves of immigrants, coming here for new opportunities, expanding the European population, and pushing away the Lenape people into smaller and more isolated areas. (Gorelick, Johanna. 2010. “Manahatta to Manhattan. Native Americans in Lower Manhattan. Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. https://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/2023-10/manahatta_to_manhattan.pdf#:~:text=In%201624%2C%20as%20the%20Dutch%20settled%20in,at%20that%20time)%20worth%20of%20trade%20goods. ).

            The transformation of Lower Manhattan continued to evolve as the 20^th century progressed. in the 1920s, Radio Row, which was located between Dey and Liberty Streets, quickly grew to become a vibrant and unified community that played a central role in the development of the city. This area was a major commerce hub, with over 400 small shops that sold radios, TVs, and electronic equipment, as well as offering repairs. It became a hub for technological innovation and commerce, attracting customers from all over the city. (Lorenzini, Michael. 2024. “Radio Row and the Fight for Lower Manhattan.” NYC Department of Records & Information Services.                         https://www.archives.nyc/blog/2024/1/5/radio-row-and-the-fight-for-lower-manhattan ). Not only that, but Radio Row was also a lively neighborhood. Besides the buzz of business transactions, the place was filled with laughter and people creating memories. The area wasn’t just a commercial center; it was a close community where people were constantly building relationships on shared experiences and mutual dependence. All the small businesses, diners, and bars gave the neighborhood a distinct personality and made it an integral part of the daily lives of those who lived and worked there. Radio Row was a place where people knew each other by name, where, for the first time in a while, people were fostering a sense of belonging, which was rare to find in the hectic urban environment of New York City. 

            . However, this vibrant community came to be short-lived. The city looked toward the future and the development of Lower Manhattan, so in the early 1960s, Port Authority announced plans to build the World Trade Center on the very land that Radio Row occupied. A decision was made. Sacrificing this unique local community to create a global financial hub seemed like a fair price. At least, that’s what the government thought. The people, on the other hand, weren’t so happy about it. Many of the shop owners, workers, and residents were displaced as the government acquired their properties, and the entire area was razed to make way for the massive towers that were about to be built. People were compensated for this, but that was barely enough. Some relocated to new locations, but many saw their livelihoods vanish as their businesses were forced to close. That vibrant community spirit that once had defined the area was lost in the face of large-scale development and urban progress.

The construction of the World Trade Center in the 60s and 70s was what transformed Lower Manhattan into a thriving global economic hub. Minoru Yamasaki, the genius behind the design of the Twin Towers, was nonetheless revolutionary. When they were completed, the towers became the tallest buildings in the world, rising 110 stories into the Manhattan skyline. A building as monumental as this managed to attract a lot of attention, especially from businesses from all over the world. Particularly, businesses in finance, international trade, and insurance showed the most interest. They managed to position the World Trade Center as a center of global commerce. By 2001, thousands of people worked in the complex every day, with estimates ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 employees occupying office spaces across the Towers and the surrounding buildings. Additionally, the complex’s retail spaces, restaurants, and other amenities attracted an estimated 200,000 visitors daily. The World Trade Center now wasn’t only a place for business but also social interaction where everyone, including workers, tourists, and locals, gathered daily, creating a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere. (National September 11 Memorial & Museum. 2024. “Snapshots of Work Life.” 9/11 Memorial Museum. https://www.911memorial.org/learn/resources/digital-exhibitions/world-trade-center-history/snapshots-work-life). These towers now had become more than just a symbol of American economic power- they had become the heart of New York City. But nothing is good when it gets too much attention. Unfortunately, over time, the Twin Towers became a target for terrorism. At first, it was the bombing in 1993. It killed six people and injured thousands of others. But even though this attack was devastating on its own, it was only a foreshadowing of the tragedy that would strike the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

The attack on the World Trade Center symbolized an assault on the heart and spirit of the city. In just a few hours, Lower Manhattan went from being a bustling hub of commerce into a site of unimaginable tragedy. The devastation was not just about the physical destruction, but it was about the emotional and communal healing. Thousands of lives were lost in an instant, and what was left behind was only the trauma of that unfortunate event. In the following years, the city focused on mourning the lives that had been lost and later rebuilding and redefining itself. The destruction of the towers represented a profound loss for the community, but the rebuilding efforts also symbolized hope and resilience. Years after the attack, the site became a point of collective remembrance and recovery. The design of the 9/11 Memorial, with its reflecting pools and the symbolic Survivor Tree, turned the site from one of destruction into a place for reflection and healing. Rebuilding the World Trade Center was hard. It was a long and complex process that took over 13 years. But now, standing at 1,776 feet, it has become a powerful symbol of national pride and renewal. The new addition, the Oculus, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, not only serves as a transportation hub but also as a public space that fosters interaction and connection among visitors and workers. The redevelopment of the center has been focused on revitalizing the community, attracting businesses, and creating a sense of place that honors the past while looking toward the future, and since 9/11, Lower Manhattan has seen significant population growth. The community now comprises a mix of long-time residents, office workers, and visitors, all contributing to the diverse and dynamic atmosphere that characterizes the area today. This transformation illustrates the resilience of New York City’s spirit.

            Looking ahead to the future, 100 years from now, which is not as far away as it sounds, I believe that both New York City and the World Trade Center won’t have changed a lot. I mentioned them both because you can’t have one without the other. However, I believe that people will start to go back to their roots, and even though they will be living in a very technologically advanced world, I believe that there will be a need to reconnect with nature. In a century, the architecture of the World Trade Center site could reflect a shift toward sustainability, harmony with nature, and a deeper connection to the environment. As climate change becomes an even more pressing issue, buildings will likely be designed with nature-integrated features, such as green roofs, vertical gardens, and urban forests. Rather than towering skyscrapers that symbolize human achievement and dominance, the architecture may focus on balance, human well-being, and ecological preservation. The structures might be more adaptable to environmental conditions, using organic materials and seamlessly integrating urban spaces with natural elements. In terms of the community, the transformation would likely move towards fostering a connection with the natural world, with a resurgence of communal green spaces and outdoor activities. Trying to disconnect from the screens and focus on human interactions. Public spaces would be designed to encourage interaction, wellness, and mindfulness, with more parks, gardens, and open-air spaces where people can reconnect with the environment and each other. The legacy of 9/11, which brought the community together in its rebuilding efforts, may inspire future generations to think not only about their relationship with each other but also with the Earth, leading to a future where nature is a central part of everyday urban life.

Reference table:

Hammond, Gabby. 2024. “Rebuilding Ground Zero: Design of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.” 9/11 Ground Zero Tour. Tragedy, Heroism: A Tribute. https://911groundzero.com/blog/rebuilding-ground-zero-architects-behind-911-memorial-museum/

Lorenzini, Michael. 2024. “Radio Row and the Fight for Lower Manhattan.” NYC Department of Records & Information Services. https://www.archives.nyc/blog/2024/1/5/radio-row-and-the-fight-for-lower-manhattan

National September 11 Memorial & Museum. 2024. “Snapshots of Work Life.” 9/11 Memorial Museum. https://www.911memorial.org/learn/resources/digital-exhibitions/world-trade-center-history/snapshots-work-life

Phillips, Hedy. 2024. “A complete Timeline of Ground Zero Before and After 9/11.” 9/11 Ground Zero Tour. Tragedy, Heroism: A Tribute. https://911groundzero.com/blog/a-complete-timeline-of-ground-zero-before-and-after-9-11/#0

Pruitt, Sarah. 2021. “The World Trade Center’s Construction: 8 Surprising Facts.” History.https://www.history.com/news/world-trade-center-twin-towers-construction-facts

Robertson, Leslie E. 2024. “GIANTS: The Twin Towers and the Twentieth Century.” The Skyscraper Museum. https://skyscraper.org/exhibitions/giants-twin-towers-and-the-twentieth-century/

Tognini, Giacomo. 2020. “20 Years And $20 Billion After 9/11, The World Trade Center Is Still a Work In Progress.” Forbes Magazine. https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2021/09/10/larry-silverstein-durst-oculus-20-years-and-20-billion-after-911-the-world-trade-center-is-still-a-work-in-progress/

Licht, Walter, F. Mark Lloyd, J.M. Duffin, D. Mary McConaghy, and Johanna Gorelick. 2010. “Manahatta to Manhattan. Native Americans in Lower Manhattan.” Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. https://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/2023-10/manahatta_to_manhattan.pdf#:~:text=In%201624%2C%20as%20the%20Dutch%20settled%20in,at%20that%20time)%20worth%20of%20trade%20goods.