the City Edge

Change in the nature of walls : the intramural
zone.
As the power of cannons grew during the 16th and 17th century,
medieval walls became obsolete as they were too thin to offer any
realistic protection against prolonged bombardment. Most walls
were torn down, the material was used in building of towers.
The intramural zone was the least desirable area to build. This
gave opportunity for squatter settlements and makeshift shanties
come against the wall.
In China, the earlier walls that were built out of earth were
massive affairs. The poor built shelters attached to it, as well as
carved niches which were cave-like in nature.
Walls in Chang „an, china. Artillery platforms built in
between the towers- largely increased unbuilt space
between city and the walls. .
THE CITY EDGE
City walls in Beijing, China: extremely massive.