European Colonial Town Planning and Landscape Design

Age of Enlightenment

A period in history characterized by an emphasis on reason, science, and intellectual exchange, influencing various fields including philosophy, politics, and architecture.

New Atlantis

A utopian novel by Francis Bacon that describes an ideal society focused on knowledge and scientific advancement.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of animals, plants, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Columbus's voyages.

empiricism

A philosophical theory that knowledge arises from sensory experience.

Neoclassicism

An artistic and architectural movement that drew inspiration from the classical art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.

Laws of the Indies

A set of laws issued by the Spanish Crown for the governance of its colonies in the Americas, focusing on town planning and indigenous rights.

scientific agriculture

An approach to farming that employs scientific methods and principles to increase productivity and sustainability.

Utopia

An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect, often referenced in literature to discuss ideal societies.

plantation

A large farm or estate, particularly in colonial contexts, where crops such as sugar, tobacco, or cotton are cultivated, often using slave labor.

pueblo

A type of settlement or community in Spanish colonial America, primarily used to refer to towns with a shared urban center and communal land.

triangular trade

A historical term indicating trade routes between three ports, often referring to the transatlantic slave trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

savagery

A term historically used to describe the perceived primitive or uncivilized state of certain peoples, often in the context of colonialism.

ribbon farms

A type of land division in colonial America where long, narrow strips of land are developed along waterways, typically associated with French land use.

green / village green

An open area in a village or town, typically used for communal purposes, such as farming, grazing, or recreational activities.

colonialism

The practice of acquiring and maintaining control over foreign territories, often involving the subjugation of local populations and exploitation of resources.

conquistador

A Spanish or Portuguese explorer and conqueror of the Americas during the Age of Exploration, particularly known for encounters with indigenous civilizations.

slave quarter

The section of a plantation or estate where enslaved people lived, usually characterized by overcrowding and poor living conditions.

pleasure garden

Landscaped areas or parks designed for enjoyment and leisure, often featuring scenic beauty, paths, and sometimes performing spaces.

fort (presidio)

A fortified military structure or settlement established by colonial powers to secure territory and control local populations.

epidemic

A rapid increase in the number of cases of a disease within a specific population, impacting health and demographics.

Scientific Revolution

An intellectual movement in the early modern period that marked the emergence of modern science, changing the way we understand nature and the universe.

palisade

A fence of wooden stakes or iron railings, used to protect a settlement or fortification from external threats.

French ribbon farm system

A method of organizing land in New France that reflected aspects of the social and agricultural organization, featuring narrow plots along rivers.

green / bowling green

A grassy area designated for recreation, particularly for games like bowls or lawn bowling.

dooryard garden

A garden located immediately surrounding the entrance of a home, often utilized for aesthetic purposes as well as practicality.

communism

A political theory advocating for a classless system in which the means of production are commonly owned, often associated with Marxist theory.