15.1 Urban planning theories in Modern Architecture

Urban planning theories in Modern Architecture shaped cities' development, balancing form and function. From Garden Cities to Modernist concepts, these ideas aimed to create efficient, livable urban spaces.

Contemporary approaches like Smart Growth and New Urbanism focus on sustainability and community. These theories continue to influence how we design and build our cities, addressing modern challenges and improving urban life.

Utopian Urban Visions

Garden City Movement

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• Pioneered by Ebenezer Howard in the late 19th century aimed to create self-contained, planned communities surrounded by greenbelts
• Designed to combine the best aspects of both urban and rural living (Town-Country) with a focus on social reform and improved quality of life
• Garden Cities were planned with a concentric pattern, with a central park, public buildings, and residential areas radiating outwards
• Examples of Garden Cities include Letchworth and Welwyn in England, which served as models for later planned communities worldwide

Modernist Urban Planning

• Le Corbusier's Radiant City (Ville Radieuse) concept envisioned a city of high-rise residential towers, strict zoning, and abundant green spaces
• Based on principles of rationality, efficiency, and the separation of urban functions (living, working, recreation, and circulation)
• Functionalism in urban planning emphasized the idea that form should follow function, with cities designed to optimize the performance of specific activities
• Influenced the design of post-war urban renewal projects and modernist housing developments (Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis, Brasília)

Sustainable Urban Development

Smart Growth and Sustainable Urbanism

• Smart Growth principles promote compact, walkable, mixed-use communities with a range of housing options and transportation choices
• Aims to curb urban sprawl, preserve open spaces, and foster environmentally sustainable development patterns
• Sustainable Urbanism integrates ecological principles into urban design, emphasizing green infrastructure, energy efficiency, and resource conservation
• Focuses on creating livable, resilient cities that balance economic, social, and environmental needs (Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm, Vauban in Freiburg)

Compact City and Transit-Oriented Development

• The Compact City model advocates for high-density, mixed-use urban development with efficient public transportation systems
• Aims to reduce car dependence, conserve land resources, and promote social interaction and diversity
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) concentrates mixed-use, high-density development around public transit nodes
• Designed to encourage the use of public transportation, walking, and cycling, while reducing reliance on private vehicles (Curitiba's BRT system, Arlington County's Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor)

Contemporary Planning Principles

New Urbanism and Mixed-Use Development

• New Urbanism promotes the creation of walkable, human-scaled neighborhoods with a mix of housing types, shops, offices, and public spaces
• Draws inspiration from traditional urban forms and emphasizes the importance of community, connectivity, and sense of place
• Mixed-Use Development combines various land uses (residential, commercial, institutional) within a single project or neighborhood
• Aims to create vibrant, diverse, and self-sufficient communities that reduce the need for long-distance travel (Seaside, Florida; Pearl District, Portland)