Robert owen

Robert Owen was a Welsh social reformer and industrialist who made significant contributions to city
planning in the early 19th century. He believed that the physical environment had a significant impact
on people's behavior and quality of life, and proposed the creation of self-contained, planned
communities that would provide residents with access to green spaces, fresh air, and clean water.

One of Owen's most significant contributions to city planning was the development of New Lanark, a
model industrial community in Scotland that he managed from 1800 to 1825. He transformed the mill
town, which had previously been a slum, into a thriving community by providing workers with access to
quality housing, education, healthcare, and recreational facilities.

In 1824, he moved to America and put most of his fortune in an experimental socialistic community at
New Harmony, Indiana, as a preliminary for his Utopian society. Life in the community generally was
well ordered and contented under Owen’s practical guidance for a time, but differences in opinion
about the form of government role and the of religion soon appeared which caused conflicts. Owen
withdrewed from the community in 1828.

Under Owen's leadership, New Lanark became a successful and profitable industrial center, and it
attracted international attention as a model for industrial and social reform. Owen's ideas on city
planning and cooperative living continued to influence urban planners and social reformers throughout
the 19th and 20th centuries.

Georges-Eugene Haussmann

Georges-Eugene Haussmann was a French public administrator and urban planner with no training in
architecture or urban planning who transformed the city of Paris in the mid-19th century. Renovation of
Paris was a vast public works programme commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III and directed by his
prefect of Seine, Georges-Eugène Haussmann, between 1853 and 1870 His vision was to create a
modern, beautiful, and functional city that would be a model for the rest of the world.

Conceived and executed in three phases, the plan involved the demolition of 19,730 historic buildings
and the construction of 34,000 new ones. Old streets gave way to long, wide avenues characterised by
rows of regularly aligned and generously proportioned neo-classical apartment blocks faced in creamy
stone.

Haussmann's most significant contribution to city planning was the creation of the wide, tree-lined
boulevards that were associate with Paris today. These boulevards not only provided much-needed
space for transportation, but they also gave Paris a sense of grandeur and elegance that had never been
seen before. He also introduced numerous public parks and green spaces.

Haussmann also oversaw the construction of numerous public buildings and monuments, including the
Paris Opera and the Place du Châtelet. He also improved the city's water supply and sanitation systems,
which greatly improved public health.
No other major city, before or since, has been transformed so radically during peacetime. It employed
huge numbers of skilled and unskilled workers along with architects, engineers and landscape
gardeners. It gave Parisians of all classes parks to play and relax in.

Haussmann's contributions to city planning have had a lasting impact not only on Paris but on urban
planning around the world. His approach to creating a beautiful, functional city with plenty of green
spaces has become a model for cities around the globe. His vision for Paris helped transform it into one
of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world.

Arturo Soria y Mata

Arturo Soria y Mata was a Spanish civil engineer, urban planner, and writer. He is best known for his
contribution to city planning through his concept of the Linear City.

Soria y Mata's vision was to create a new urban form that would eliminate the problems of congestion
and overcrowding in traditional cities. He proposed a city that would be a long, linear strip, stretching
for miles, with residential areas and green spaces on either side of a central transportation axis. This
new urban form would be a departure from the traditional, radial city model that had dominated urban
planning up to that point.

The Linear City would be connected by a fast and efficient transportation system that would run along
the central axis of the city. This would allow residents to commute quickly and easily to different parts of
the city, while also providing plenty of green spaces for recreation and relaxation. in 1894 inaugurated
the Ciudad Lineal, Madrid, a linear low-density suburban development that pre-dated Letchworth
Garden City

Although Soria y Mata's Linear City concept was not widely implemented during his lifetime, it did have
a significant impact on urban planning. His ideas inspired a new wave of urban planners who sought to
create more efficient and sustainable urban environments. Soria published the journal La Ciudad Lineal
(1897–1932) which influenced a number of people including Frank Lloyd Wright and (initially) Le
Corbusier . Today, his vision for the Linear City is seen as a precursor to modern urban planning concepts
such as transit-oriented development and the greenbelt.

Walter Griffin:

Walter Burley Griffin was an American architect and landscape architect who made significant
contributions to city planning. He is best known for his design of Canberra, the capital city of Australia.

Griffin's plan for Canberra was based on the principles of the Garden City movement, which emphasized
the integration of natural elements into urban design. His plan for Canberra featured a series of
interconnected parks and green spaces that were integrated into the fabric of the city.

Griffin's design also emphasized the importance of civic spaces, including a grand axis that ran through
the center of the city, terminating in a large public square. This axis was designed to be the heart of the
city, and it was flanked by government buildings and cultural institutions.
Griffin's plan for Canberra was a departure from the traditional city planning models that had
dominated urban planning up to that point. His vision for a city that integrated natural elements and
emphasized civic spaces influenced a new wave of urban planners who sought to create more livable
and sustainable urban environments. Canberra has been developed as a series of separate but linked
towns, established in valleys and shaped and separated from each other by a system of open space. This
arrangement has protected the major hills and ridges from development, and has created a scenic
backdrop and natural setting for the urban areas.

Today, Griffin's design for Canberra is considered a masterpiece of urban planning. It remains a model
for modern city planning, and it continues to inspire urban planners and designers around the world.

Patrick Geddes:

Patrick Geddes was a Scottish biologist, sociologist, and urban planner who made significant
contributions to city planning. He is best known for his innovative approach to urban planning, which
emphasized the importance of understanding the social, cultural, and environmental factors that shape
cities.

Geddes' approach to urban planning was based on the idea of "conurbation", which was a concept he
developed to describe the relationship between cities and their surrounding regions. He believed that
cities should be designed to be integrated into their natural and cultural surroundings, and that urban
planning should be informed by an understanding of the local ecology, history, and culture.

With his “Work, Place, Folkʼ concept— Geddes developed a new approach to regional and town
planning based on the integration of people and their livelihood into the environmental givens of the
particular place and region they inhabit.

Geddes' ideas had a significant impact on urban planning in the early 20th century, and they continue to
influence urban planning and design today. His emphasis on the social, cultural, and environmental
factors that shape cities helped to establish the field of urban ecology, and his use of visual tools to
communicate complex urban planning concepts has become a standard practice in the field.

Patrick Abercrombie:
Patrick Abercrombie was a British town planner and architect who made significant contributions to the
field of city planning. He is best known for his work in the 1930s and 1940s, when he played a key role in
shaping the post-war reconstruction of British cities.

Abercrombie was a strong advocate for the importance of green spaces in cities, and he believed that
urban planning should prioritize the preservation and enhancement of natural areas. He was also a
champion of the "garden city" concept, which aimed to create self-contained communities that
combined the benefits of urban and rural living.

One of Abercrombie's most significant contributions to city planning was his "Greater London Plan,"
which was published in 1944. This plan provided a blueprint for the post-war reconstruction of London,
and it called for the creation of a series of new towns and green belts around the city. The plan also
proposed the construction of a network of modern highways and other transportation infrastructure.

Abercrombie was also a strong advocate for the importance of public participation in the urban planning
process. He believed that citizens should have a say in the development of their cities, and he worked to
develop innovative methods for engaging the public in the planning process.

Today, Abercrombie's ideas continue to influence urban planning and design, particularly in the areas of
urban ecology, green spaces, and public participation. His vision for a more sustainable, livable, and
inclusive urban environment remains a powerful influence on the field.

Tony Garnier:
Tony Garnier was a French architect and city planner who made significant contributions to the field of
urban planning in the early 20th century. He is best known for his design of the "Industrial city," a
visionary plan for a new type of industrial city. Tony Garnier first produced plan for the ideal industrial
town in 1904. Garnier ‘s proposal was an industrial city for approx 35,000 inhabitants situated on a area
in southeast France on a plateau with high land and a lake to the north, a valley and river to the south.

Garnier's "Industrial city " was intended to address the social, economic, and environmental problems of
the rapidly industrializing cities of the time. The plan called for the creation of self-contained industrial
communities that were carefully designed to provide workers with decent living conditions, access to
education and healthcare, and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

One of Garnier's most significant contributions to city planning was his innovative use of prefabricated
construction techniques. He believed that prefabrication was the key to creating affordable, efficient,
and sustainable buildings, and he designed a range of modular housing units that could be quickly
assembled on site.

Garnier also played a key role in the development of the modernist movement in architecture and urban
planning. He believed that architecture should be functional, rational, and based on scientific principles,
and he rejected the ornamental styles of the past in favor of a more streamlined and modern aesthetic.

Today, Garnier's ideas continue to influence urban planning and design, particularly in the areas of
sustainability, prefabrication, and the social and environmental impacts of industrialization. His vision
for a more humane and sustainable form of urban development remains a powerful influence on the
field.

Ebenezer Howard:
Ebenezer Howard was a British social reformer and urban planner who made significant contributions to
the field of city planning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his development
of the "garden city" concept, which aimed to create self-contained, suburban communities that
combined the benefits of urban and rural living.

Howard believed that the rapid industrialization and urbanization of British society had created a host of
social, economic, and environmental problems, including poverty, overcrowding, pollution, and the loss
of natural areas. He proposed a new type of city that would be designed around the principles of
community, sustainability, and quality of life.

The garden city concept was based on the idea of creating small, self-contained towns that were
surrounded by green belts of agricultural land. The towns were designed to be compact, walkable, and
surrounded by gardens and parks, while the green belts were intended to provide a source of fresh
food, recreation, and natural beauty.

One of Howard's most significant contributions to city planning was the publication of his book, "To-
Morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform," in 1898. The book laid out his vision for a new type of city,
and it inspired a generation of planners, architects, and social reformers to work towards a more
humane and sustainable form of urban development. The publication resulted in the founding of the
garden city movement, and the building of the first garden city, Letchworth Garden City, commenced in
1903.The second true Garden City was Welwyn Garden City (1920) and the movement influenced the
development of several model suburbs in other countries

Today, Howard's ideas continue to influence urban planning and design, particularly in the areas of
sustainability, community-building, and the importance of green spaces in cities. His vision for a more
balanced and harmonious relationship between urban and rural areas remains a powerful influence on
the field.

Daniel Burnham:
Daniel Burnham was an American architect and urban planner who made significant contributions to the
field of city planning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his design of the
1909 Plan of Chicago, which established a comprehensive vision for the development of the city and set
a new standard for urban planning in the United States.

The Plan of Chicago was a response to the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing the
rapidly growing city in the early 1900s. Burnham worked to develop a comprehensive plan that
addressed issues such as transportation, land use, housing, and public spaces.

One of Burnham's most significant contributions to city planning was his focus on creating a sense of
civic pride and identity through the design of public spaces and buildings. He believed that cities had the
power to shape the character of their citizens, and he sought to create beautiful and inspiring public
spaces that would foster a sense of community and common purpose.

Burnham was also a pioneer in the use of technology and scientific analysis in urban planning. He used
data and statistical analysis to inform his decisions about land use, transportation, and other aspects of
urban design, and he was one of the first planners to recognize the importance of public transit as a key
component of a sustainable and efficient city.

Today, Burnham's ideas continue to influence urban planning and design, particularly in the areas of
public space, civic identity, and the use of technology in urban planning. His vision for a beautiful,
functional, and inspiring city remains a powerful influence on the field.
Le Corbusier:
Le Corbusier, was a Swiss-French architect, urban planner, and designer who made significant
contributions to the field of city planning in the early 20th century. He is considered one of the most
influential architects of the modern era and is known for his innovative ideas about urban design,
architecture, and the use of technology in construction.

Le Corbusier's urban planning ideas were influenced by his belief that cities should be designed to
improve the quality of life for their residents. He believed that the modern city should be functional,
efficient, and beautiful, and he sought to create a new model for urban living that would address the
social, economic, and environmental challenges facing rapidly growing cities.

One of Le Corbusier's most significant contributions to city planning was his idea of the "Radiant City," a
concept that called for the separation of functions within the city, with residential, commercial, and
industrial areas organized in separate zones. He believed that this would help to reduce traffic
congestion, improve the quality of life for residents, and create more efficient use of urban space.

One of Le Corbusier's most famous examples of city planning is the city of Chandigarh in India. The city
was designed as the capital of the Indian state of Punjab after the country gained independence in 1947.
Le Corbusier was commissioned to design the city and was given complete creative control.

The city of Chandigarh is based on Le Corbusier's concept of the "Radiant City," which called for the
separation of functions within the city. In Chandigarh, the residential, commercial, and industrial areas
are organized in separate zones. The city is also designed to be pedestrian-friendly, with wide
boulevards and green spaces. The city's administrative buildings are located at the center of the city,
surrounded by a series of circular roads.

Another important contribution of Le Corbusier to city planning was his idea of the "Unité d'Habitation,"
a model of residential housing that combined the benefits of urban and suburban living. The Unité
d'Habitation was designed to provide a high standard of living for residents, with spacious apartments,
communal amenities, and access to green spaces and public transportation.

Today, Le Corbusier's ideas continue to influence urban planning and design, particularly in the areas of
functionalism, efficiency, and the use of technology in architecture and construction. His vision for a
modern, functional, and beautiful city remains a powerful influence on the field of urban planning.

Clarence Perry:
Clarence Perry was an American urban planner who made significant contributions to city planning with
his concept of the "neighborhood unit." Perry believed that neighborhoods should be designed to be
self-contained, with all necessary amenities and services within walking distance. This idea was a
reaction to the sprawling, decentralized development that characterized much of American suburban
development at the time.

Perry's concept of the neighborhood unit called for the grouping of housing around a central open
space, with schools, shops, and other services located nearby. This arrangement was intended to
promote social interaction and create a sense of community among residents. Perry's ideas were
implemented in several cities across the United States, including Radburn, New Jersey, which was built
in the 1920s. Radburn was designed as a self-contained community with all necessary amenities and
services located within walking distance.

Perry's work helped to shift the focus of urban planning from large-scale city planning to the design of
smaller, more self-contained neighborhoods. His concept of the neighborhood unit has been widely
adopted and continues to influence the design of communities today. Perry's ideas also helped to
emphasize the importance of social interaction and community in urban planning, a concept that is still
relevant in modern city planning.

Frank Lloyd Wright:

Frank Lloyd Wright was a pioneering American architect, urban planner, and writer who made
significant contributions to city planning. Wright believed in the integration of nature and architecture,
and his designs were characterized by their use of natural materials and integration with the
environment.

One of Wright's most notable contributions to city planning was his vision of Broadacre City, which he
proposed in the 1930s. Broadacre City was a decentralized, suburban community that was designed to
reflect Wright's philosophy of organic architecture. The community was composed of self-contained,
small-scale communities that were connected by a network of highways. Each community would have
its own businesses, schools, and cultural facilities, and residents would have access to the surrounding
natural landscape. It was both a planning statement and a socio-political scheme, inspired by Henry
George, by which each U.S family would be given a one-acre (0.40-hectare) plot of land from the federal
lands reserves, and a Wright-conceived community would be built anew from this.

Wright's ideas about decentralization and the integration of natural landscapes into urban design were
groundbreaking at the time and continue to influence modern city planning. His emphasis on small-scale
communities and the importance of access to nature has become increasingly relevant in the face of
modern challenges such as climate change and urbanization. Today, Wright's legacy can be seen in the
many suburban communities that have been developed based on his ideas.

CA Doxiades:
C.A. Doxiades, was a Greek architect and town planner who made significant contributions to city
planning in the 20th century. He is widely regarded as the father of Ekistics, the science of human
settlements, which is concerned with the study of human settlements in their totality.

Doxiades believed in the importance of holistic planning, which takes into account the social, economic,
and environmental aspects of a city. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to urban
development that would ensure the well-being of all residents. Doxiades also believed in the power of
technology to improve city planning, and he pioneered the use of computers in urban design.

One of Doxiades' most notable contributions to city planning was his work on the development of
Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Doxiades was appointed as the chief planner for the city in the 1960s,
and he developed a comprehensive plan that was based on the principles of Ekistics. The plan
emphasized the need for a balanced approach to urban development, with a focus on green spaces,
community facilities, and efficient transportation systems.

Doxiades' ideas and principles continue to influence city planning today, particularly in the development
of sustainable and livable communities. His emphasis on the importance of holistic planning and the use
of technology in urban design has become increasingly relevant in the face of modern challenges such as
climate change and rapid urbanization.

Lucio costa:
Lucio Costa was a Brazilian architect and urban planner who made significant contributions to city
planning in his home country. He is best known for his work on the city of Brasília, which became the
capital of Brazil in 1960.

Costa was one of the primary architects responsible for the design of Brasília, and he developed a
comprehensive master plan for the city. His plan was based on the principles of modernism and
emphasized functionality, simplicity, and efficiency. The city was designed as a series of functional
zones, with separate areas for residential, commercial, and government buildings. Costa also included
extensive green spaces and pedestrian pathways in his plan, emphasizing the importance of nature in
urban environments.

In addition to his work on Brasília, Costa made significant contributions to the development of urban
planning in Brazil. He emphasized the importance of designing cities for the needs of their inhabitants,
and he believed that urban planning should be guided by social and cultural values as well as functional
considerations.

Costa's work on Brasília and his broader contributions to urban planning in Brazil have had a significant
impact on the development of the country. His emphasis on functional and efficient design, as well as
the importance of green spaces and pedestrian pathways, remain relevant today and have influenced
urban planning in cities around the world.

Garden cities:
The garden city movement was a 20th century urban planning movement promoting satellite
communities surrounding the central city and separated with greenbelts. These Garden Cities would
contain proportionate areas of residences, industry, and agriculture. Ebenezer Howard first posited the
idea in 1898 as a way to capture the primary benefits of the countryside and the city while avoiding the
disadvantages presented by both. In the early 20th century, Letchworth, Brentham Garden Suburb and
Welwyn Garden City were built in or near London according to Howard's concept and many other
garden cities inspired by his model have since been built all over the world.

More information: https://www.townandcountryplanninginfo.com/2020/08/garden-city.html.

City beautiful movement:
City Beautiful movement, American urban-planning movement led by architects, landscape architects,
and reformers that flourished between the 1890s and the 1920s. The idea of organized comprehensive
urban planning arose in the United States from the City Beautiful movement, which claimed that design
could not be separated from social issues and should encourage civic pride and engagement. Its
influence was most prominent in cities such as Cleveland, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

It was a response to the rapid industrialization and urbanization of American cities, which led to
overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and social unrest. The movement sought to create more livable,
attractive, and harmonious cities through the implementation of comprehensive urban planning.

The City Beautiful movement focused on creating monumental civic buildings and public spaces, such as
parks, plazas, and boulevards, as well as improving the overall urban design and aesthetics of cities. The
movement's principles were heavily influenced by the Beaux-Arts style, which emphasized grandeur,
symmetry, and classical motifs.

The pinnacle of the movement came in 1909 with Burnham and fellow architect and urban planner
Edward H. Bennett’s design for Chicago, published as the Plan of Chicago and also known as the
Burnham Plan. The plan involved a 60-mile (95-kilometre) radius in which avenues would extend out
from a civic centre. It included an extensive rail system, a bi-level boulevard for commercial and regular
traffic (what is now Wacker Drive), and a sprawling network of parks. The lakefront, in particular, was an
important component of the proposed plan; a park and trail were constructed to run near the shore of
Lake Michigan. In addition, a comprehensive highway system that promoted simplicity and efficiency
was to connect the city to its suburbs and the suburbs to one another. The implementation of much of
the Burnham Plan took place over the course of 20 years, starting in 1909 and coming to an end—
though incomplete—at the start of the Great Depression in 1929.

Over time, the movement’s shortcomings came to the fore, and it became apparent that improvement
of the physical city without addressing social and economic issues would not substantively improve
urban life. The movement, as a whole, began to wane by World War I and was then succeeded by a
modernist approach to architecture known as the International style. Examples of extant buildings from
the City Beautiful period are Union Station in Washington, D.C., the Field Museum in Chicago, and the
Boston Public Library in Boston.

Concept of New towns :

New town, a form of urban planning designed to relocate populations away from large cities by
grouping homes, hospitals, industry and cultural, recreational, and shopping centres to form entirely
new, relatively autonomous communities. The first new towns were proposed in Great Britain in the
New Towns Act of 1946; between 1947 and 1950, 12 were designated in England and Wales and 2 in
Scotland, each with its own development corporation financed by the government. The new towns were
located in relatively undeveloped sites. Each was to have an admixture of population so as to give it a
balanced social life.
A new town is a new settlement built on either rural land transformed to urban land use or on new
reclaimed land. The objective of developing new towns is to become a self-sufficient town. New towns
seem to be the answer to the urban sprawl and suburban dilemma where there are low economic job
opportunities creating a high percentage of commuting. This however becomes a mutual problem for
new towns as they evolve making them dependent on neighboring towns and cities for employment and
various types of social services. Another issue that new towns have to deal with is the identity crisis
which links to its lack of history. This therefore leads people to the misconception of new towns as
suburbs.

The development of new towns has served as relocation for the over spill of existing cities. It should not
be forgotten that new towns also exploits rural land that may have served for other land use
developments such as for farmland or nature and recreation area.

There are various types of new towns that have been developed over time. Some of them are:

1. Garden Cities: This type of new town is designed to provide a balance between urban and rural
living. The concept was first introduced by Ebenezer Howard, who proposed the development of
self-contained communities surrounded by greenbelts.

2. Satellite Cities: Satellite cities are built in the suburbs of existing urban areas to relieve
congestion and provide affordable housing for people who work in the city. These cities have
their own commercial centers, industries, and other amenities.

3. New Urbanism: New Urbanism is a design movement that promotes the development of
walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with a focus on sustainability, transit-oriented
development, and community involvement.

4. Technopoles: These are new towns designed to be centers of high-tech industry and research.
They are typically built around universities or research institutes and have state-of-the-art
infrastructure and facilities.

5. Eco-towns: These are new towns built with sustainability as a key principle. They are designed to
have a low carbon footprint, with a focus on renewable energy, public transport, and green
spaces.

Ekistics :
Ekistics is a field of study that focuses on the science of human settlements. It is concerned with
understanding the physical, social, economic, and environmental factors that shape the design,
development, and management of human settlements. The term "ekistics" was coined by the Greek
architect and planner C A Doxiadis in the 1940s and comes from the Greek word "oikos," meaning
"household" or "home."

Ekistics draws on a range of disciplines, including architecture, urban planning, sociology, geography,
and environmental science, to explore the complex interactions between people, the built environment,
and the natural world. It seeks to develop a holistic understanding of human settlements and to create
more sustainable, equitable, and livable cities and communities.

The study of ekistics has led to the development of a range of planning and design approaches, such as
"human-scale" design, which emphasizes the importance of designing urban spaces and buildings to
meet the needs of people, and "ecological planning," which seeks to create cities and communities that
are environmentally sustainable. Ekistics has also played a role in shaping international development
policy, particularly in the areas of housing and urban development.

Levels of Ekistics: