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1600-1715
During this period, the threat of attact inspired the city planners to develop another town inland to attract population growth away from the quickly growing capital. Thus, Rio Piedras was formed. Eleven miles southeast of San Juan, Rio Piedras was about a day's journey from the capital on the main North-South and East-West transportation routes that had been developed during the mining rush. From the beginning, Rio Piedras was laid out according to the "Law of the Indies" but not strongly fortified as it was not on the coast.
Another center of population sprouted up along the Atlantic coast to the east of San Juan. Santurce, as it is still called today, was an area of unplanned residential growth that was made possible by the road connecting Rio Piedras to San Juan.