Introduction to Urban Planning Movements

Study Notes

Urban planning movements are distinct approaches or philosophies that emerge in response to the needs, challenges, and values of different historical periods.
They address issues related to city development, land use, and community well-being.

It sought to introduce beautification and monumental grandeur to cities.
The movement believed that these improvements would promote moral and civic virtue among urban populations.
It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States.
The movement was sparked by the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the US, particularly in the late 19th century.
The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago was a major influence on the movement.

Aesthetic Design: Emphasized harmonious and visually pleasing urban landscapes with wide boulevards, grand public buildings, parks, and public art.
Monumental Architecture: Advocated for the construction of monumental public buildings and spaces, such as libraries, museums, government buildings, and plazas, typically designed in classical or Beaux-Arts architectural styles.
Urban Planning: Emphasized comprehensive urban planning, including orderly street grids, public spaces, and zoning laws, to create efficient and beautiful cities.
Social Reform: Aimed to address the social ills of rapidly growing industrial cities like overcrowding, poverty, and crime. Proponents believed that a more beautiful environment would lead to a more orderly and moral society.

The Chicago Plan, developed by Daniel Burnham, was a comprehensive plan for the city of Chicago.
It aimed to improve the city’s infrastructure, transportation, and overall aesthetic.
The plan included proposals for:
- Lakefront Development
- Railway and Harbor Improvements
- Grand Avenues and Boulevards
- Civic Center
- Parks and Green Spaces

Founded by British urban planner Ebenezer Howard in the late 19th century.
It was a response to the overcrowded and unhealthy living conditions in industrial cities.
It sought to combine the benefits of both urban and rural living.
The movement aimed to create self-contained, balanced communities surrounded by greenbelts, with a harmonious relationship between residential areas, industry, and agriculture.