Swanson School of Engineering

San Niccolò, a small neighborhood positioned along the Arno river, is filled with long and winding roads that are lined with massive rows of mixed-use houses/apartments possessing a noticeable lively hood. The neighborhood is primarily away from most tourist attractions within Florence, making the inhabitants mostly locals who walk around on the less crowded streets to enjoy peaceful moments at the cafes and restaurants. The streets are narrow and are mostly occupied by people walking by, with an occasional motorcyclist or taxi driving by. The streets are empty, with parking being almost nonexistent. It becomes highly evident that the neighborhood was not designed for the modern vehicles of the world. People operate freely, having an unpredictable flow of direction. The freedom of direction helps form a connection to the community and natural environment via the lack of barriers that usually separate the houses from the street and cafes from people walking by.