PLAN1001 LEC2

Introduction to Planning

• Lecture introduction and semester start check-in

• Discussion of potential cyclone updates affecting class schedules

History of Cities and Urban Planning

• Focus on how cities and planning have evolved over time

• Importance of understanding the drivers behind city design and function

Early Urban Settlements

• Mohenjo Daro (2600 BC, Pakistan)

  • One of the first urban settlements in human history

  • Key features include a grid system, drainage systems, and an emphasis on cleanliness

  • Importance placed on water movement and design uniformity

Ancient Cities

• Ancient Egyptian Cities (1350 BC)

  • Clear social structure with specific areas for religious, residential, and defensive purposes

  • Houses of the working class were uniform in size and type

• Ur (400 BC, Iraq)

  • Port city with strict land use designations; reflected social order and cosmology

  • Focus on movement of water and people

• Ancient Chinese Cities

  • Designed based on Feng Shui; importance of nature and security

  • Key principles in site selection were based on geographical features

• Ancient Greek Cities

  • Development of early planning codes

  • Use of public spaces as democratic symbols; houses formed around safety and social order

Medieval Cities (5th to 16th Century)

• Characterized by organic and accidental design

• Key features included markets, cottage industries, and religious buildings

• Governance with gated communities creating safe urban environments

• Challenges included sanitation issues and high risk of fire

Industrial Revolution Impact on Cities

• Shift in city life due to technological advancements and industrial inventions

• Rapid urban population growth from rural areas to industrial centers

• Consequences of industrialization: overcrowded slums, poor sanitation, child labor, and high pollution

• Life expectancy issues related to substandard living conditions in cities

Modern City Planning

• Emerged as a reaction to industrial cities focusing on health, efficiency, beauty, and nature

• Key concepts began in the 19th century, particularly in cities like Saltaire and Port Sunlight designed for worker welfare

• Focus on sanitation, order, and community health as outcomes of planning

Key Urban Utopias

Ebenezer Howard and the Garden City Movement

• Focused on creating new cities that combine urban and rural benefits

• Created the ideal of communities that emphasize shared ownership and social reform

• Visualizes cities as radially organized mini cities surrounded by nature

  • Example: Letchworth Garden City - showcases a blend of industry and healthy living

Le Corbusier's Radiant City

• Advocated for high-rise buildings surrounded by parks, increasing population density vertically

• Promoted car-centric design with a focus on communal spaces at elevated levels

• Example: Chandigarh - a significant planned city in India illustrating these ideals

Frank Lloyd Wright's Broadacre City

• Envisioned a decentralized, low-density living arrangement with individual land ownership

• Each family on an acre of land, promoting self-sufficiency and car reliance

• Emphasis on the automobile as key to community design

Postmodern Planning

• Challenges modern planning's evidence-based approach by emphasizing community diversity

• Encourages participatory planning processes and local stakeholder engagement

• Notable thinkers include Jane Jacobs and Leonie Sandercock

• Calls for tailored planning approaches rather than one-size-fits-all blueprints

Conclusion

• Use of historical contexts to shape and influence modern planning practices

• Exploration of different models and movements has highlighted the multifaceted nature of urban planning

• Encouragement of reflective thinking on learned concepts and their applicability in contemporary settings

Upcoming Reflexive Exercise

• Encouraged students to reflect on key takeaways from the lecture and summarize in one sentence.

Administrative Notes

• Reminder to check email for upcoming workshop updates regarding potential changes due to weather

• Submission deadlines for upcoming assignments were announced.