15.1 Urban planning theories in Modern Architecture
2 min read•august 5, 2024
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 and 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
Top images from around the web for Garden City Movement
Discovering Urbanism: Ebenezer Howard's Garden City concept View original
Pioneered by 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
's (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)
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 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 , preserve open spaces, and foster environmentally sustainable development patterns
integrates ecological principles into urban design, emphasizing , 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 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
(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
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)