This post is a summary of Modernism and early Urban Planning by Richard LeGates and Frederic Stout. This covers early ideas about early Urban Planning.
Throughout this writing there are many things that are covered, these include: Nineteenth century urban crisis and reform, Ebenenzer Howard and the garden city ideal, Urban Aestheticism and Beautiful City Movement, 'Progressivism' and the city efficient, The Master Plan, New Towns and Regionalism, New Towns For America.
Nineteenth century Urban crisis and reform:
In 1884 one of the first movements to the dislocations of urbanism was the "Parks Movement". It started in Liverpool when Joseph Paxton designed Birkinhead park as the first urban garden. In 1845 and again in 1872 it was enlarged with extra features put into place, things such as gardens, walkways and many other things enhanced the design of these "garden cities". Another person that had a huge influence on the parks movement was Frederick Law Olmstead. He had his impact largely in america in 1822-1903. Olmstead and his partner are largely known for their work and design on central park after winning the design competition and they both began work on Central Park in 1857.
Ebenenzer Howard and the Garden City ideal:
Ebenenzer Howard believed that "the key to improved health was was an urban plan that eliminated congestion and kept the countryside close at hand'. This leading to him creating the Ebenenzer Howard garden plan (1850-1928). Which consisted of parks, gardens, and al of the land would be collectively owned with start-up loans retired over time from the yearly earnings.
Urban Aesthetics and Beautiful city Movement:
In the 1890's there was a focus put on civic design which resulted in " Municipal art, and making the city beautiful'. This was a result of L'Enfant's plan for Washington DC., but also there was an influence neomedievlism that was used in England was having a huge influence.
'Progressivism' and the city efficient:
Progressivism was a new movement experienced by the united states during and post World War 1, it was defined as 'grew out of good government'. they aimed to apply the best scientific thinking to the management of american cities.
The Master Plan:
As planning departments in America started to grow in numbers and mature, they started to develop general comprehensive plans. What these plans should contain was not clear until Edward Basset defined what these plans should contain and he also linked it to the relationship between processes and the city government.In 1935 Basset created "The Master Plan", it was a generalised document that was later adopted by the local planning commission. One of the most important things that Basset achieved was his concept of The Master Plan which was taken as the core document of city planning agencies. This was what lead to Planning becoming a profession.
New Towns and Regionalism:
Most of the early city planning was focused on the planning of the direct city, some people had other ideas. Such as Patrick Geddes. Geddes had a different perspective on planning, he had a wider view taking into consideration not only the city but the region. This influencing modern day urban planning as many more things need to be taken into consideration such as what goes on around the particular city.
New Towns for America:
Geddes attracted many workers in his life, none possibly as influential as Lewis Mumford. He carried many ideas from his co workers Geddes and Howard. He was mainly interested on 'how transportation and communication technologies could actually permit decentralisation population and industry throughout regions'. This leading to opportunities of smaller cites in the New York region being possible.
Throughout this writing it demonstrates how planning has evolved and where different ideas have come from that have significantly influenced modern planning in the modern era. It has also demonstrated who some of the key people are in the history of planning as well as discussing some of the different theories such as 'the Garden City'.
Thank you for reading, I hope to get some comments on your thoughts on the reading as well as who you thought were also influential on modern planning...
Tom
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