How did the geographic location of philadelphia affect the city's development? because of its location on rivers, the city built bridges and used ferries to allow workers to access the city. because of proximity to water, streets had to be properly elevated to avoid flooding during rainstorms. because of the hilly terrain to the north, it was impossible for railroad tracks to be laid there. because the schuylkill river disrupted the grid system on the west side, the river was moved farther wes