INTRODUCTION TO URBAN PLANNING - URPL 3042

MEGALOPOLIS INTO
NECROPOLIS
FROM THE BOOK”THE CITY IN H I S T O RY”
BY LEWIS MUMFORD

BY: YENENEH GIRMA - 3182/14

TO: Mr. SISAY S.
 CONTENT

01 ROME'S FOREIGN INHERITANCE

02 CLOACA AND AQUEDUCT

03 FORUM, VOMITORIUM, AND BATH

04 DEATH IN THE AFTERNOON

FOURTH-CENTURY URBAN
05 INVENTORY

06 LIMITS OF URBAN GROWTH

1. ROME'S FOREIGN INHERITANCE
• The first topic discusses various aspects of ancient Rome,
focusing on its empire, administrative organization, city-building
endeavors, and influences from other cultures. It highlights
Rome's visible power through symbols such as aqueducts and
paved roads, which contributed to the standardization and
regimentation of large masses.
1. ROME'S FOREIGN INHERITANCE
• The Romans demonstrated empirical respect for any
established order and left the imprint of Rome on various
regions, altering the way of life in existing cities and establishing
new foundations. The topic emphasizes the vast city-building
enterprise of the Roman Empire, which impacted Europe,
Northern Africa, and Asia Minor.
1. ROME'S FOREIGN INHERITANCE
• It also discusses the Roman state's organization into separate
civic bodies, their urban development influenced by Etruscan
and Hellenic cultures, and the religious and superstitious
elements borrowed from the Etruscans. Additionally, the
abstract mentions the rectangular shape and wall positioning of
Roman cities, differing from the Greek city's layout.
1. ROME'S FOREIGN INHERITANCE
• The writer also alludes to the considerations of the favor of the
gods and the priest-led outlining of the city when new cities
were founded. This abstract underlines the influential role of
Rome in terms of order, city-building, and cultural influences, as
well as the significant impact of Etruscan and Hellenic cultures
on Roman urban development.
2. CLOACA AND AQUEDUCT
• The section "Cloaca and Aqueduct" from the book discusses the
aspects of Roman town planning, including sewer systems and
aqueducts, from the perspective of the city of Rome itself. The
section begins by acknowledging the influence of conquered
cultures on Roman town planning and describes the Roman
contribution as primarily engineering feats and grandiose
displays of wealth.
2. CLOACA AND AQUEDUCT
• The section delves into the engineering marvel of the Cloaca
Maxima, a large sewer system that, despite its initial
construction in the sixth century, is still in use today. It compares
Roman and Greek approaches to urban planning, highlighting
Rome's emphasis on paving streets, water supply, and sewers.
2. CLOACA AND AQUEDUCT
• The section details the gradual introduction of water mains and
street paving in Rome, emphasizing their limited application,
inefficiency, and primitive connections to building facilities. It
also discusses the inadequate sewage and garbage disposal,
overcrowded living conditions in insulae (tenement houses), and
the stark contrast between the living conditions of the patricians
and the proletariat.
2. CLOACA AND AQUEDUCT
• The section concludes with a discussion of the grotesque
disposal of refuse, the prevalence of disease, and the suffering
of the urban populace, portraying the urban core of Rome as
rotten. Despite the harsh living conditions, the section
acknowledges that Rome presented glimpses of civic beauty
and order to the exploited masses. The section overall paints a
detailed and vivid picture of the shortcomings and failures of
Roman urban planning in addressing the needs and well-being
of its population.
2. CLOACA AND AQUEDUCT
• The section concludes with a discussion of the grotesque
disposal of refuse, the prevalence of disease, and the suffering
of the urban populace, portraying the urban core of Rome as
rotten. Despite the harsh living conditions, the paper
acknowledges that Rome presented glimpses of civic beauty
and order to the exploited masses. The section overall paints a
detailed and vivid picture of the shortcomings and failures of
Roman urban planning in addressing the needs and well-being
of its population.
2. CLOACA AND AQUEDUCT
• Overall, the "Cloaca and Aqueduct" section of the research
paper provides a comprehensive examination of the urban
planning and infrastructure of ancient Rome, highlighting both
the grandeur and the deficiencies of the city's engineering and
sanitation systems.
3. FORUM, VOMITORIUM, AND BATH
• The section of the book discusses the Forum, Vomitorium, and
Bath in ancient Rome. It explores the transformation of Rome
from a simple village to a vibrant city with a strong infrastructure.
The Forum, the central marketplace, served various purposes,
from hosting gladiatorial contests to religious congregations.
The Roman architect Vitruvius emphasized the purposeful
design and ideal size of the Forum to accommodate large
crowds and activities.
3. FORUM, VOMITORIUM, AND BATH
• The section also discusses the architectural innovation of the
vomitorium, which refers to the passages in amphitheaters
designed for the swift exit of crowds. Additionally, it delves into
the significance of the public baths in Roman society. These
grand structures provided various facilities for physical and
recreational activities but also reflected the excessive focus on
the body and indulgence that characterized Roman culture.
3. FORUM, VOMITORIUM, AND BATH
• The baths, although serving a hygienic purpose, also held a
symbolic and practical connection to the city's hedonistic
lifestyle, with sexual overtones and excessive luxury. Overall,
the paper details the evolution of public spaces and their
cultural, social, and architectural significance in ancient Rome.
4. DEATH IN THE AFTERNOON
• The section of the book explores the rise and fall of the Roman
Empire from a socio-economic and cultural perspective. The
paper emphasizes that the expansion of the Roman Empire was
driven by the need to protect its supply lines and sources of
food and raw materials, as well as a dream of a universal
political order. However, the paper argues that the Pax Romana
was built on a foundation of savage exploitation and
suppression, leading to the creation of a parasitic economy in
which thousands of Romans lived a dependent and functionless
existence, sustained by bribing the army and engaging in
predatory conquests.
4. DEATH IN THE AFTERNOON
• The section highlights the development of mass entertainment
as a means to distract the populace from their dire existence
and keep them in a state of dependence. It discusses the
evolution of Roman spectacles, from chariot races and
theatrical performances to the gladiatorial games that featured
human and animal torture and extermination.
4. DEATH IN THE AFTERNOON
• These spectacles became the principal occupation of the
Roman populace, with attendance at public shows and games
being seen as essential for life, liberty, and happiness. The
paper argues that the culture of mass entertainment and
parasitic existence ultimately led to the downfall of the Roman
way of life, as the emphasis on spectacle and leisure became
more significant than active, useful pursuits.
4. DEATH IN THE AFTERNOON
• In conclusion, the section highlights the inevitable decline of the
Roman way of life, referring to the city as a vast collective
torture chamber and the ultimate transformation of Rome into a
"city of the dead." It suggests that the Roman culture,
characterized by mass entertainment and parasitic dependence,
had significant psychological and social repercussions, leading
to an unsustainable and damaging way of life. The section
emphasizes the continuity of these cultural elements even after
the fall of the Roman Empire, suggesting their resurgence in the
modern city as well.
5. FOURTH-CENTURY URBAN
INVENTORY
• The fourth-century urban inventory of Rome provides a
comprehensive picture of the city's vastness and cumulative
wealth. From the colossal physical layout and the city's
expanding area and population in the third century A.D. to the
inventory list of public contents in 312-315 A.D., the paper
outlines Rome's monumental scale.
5. FOURTH-CENTURY URBAN
INVENTORY
• The city boasted numerous public structures such as obelisks,
bridges, baths, theaters, libraries, gladiatorial schools, and
lodging houses, creating a mix of leisure and functionality. In
addition, there were extensive private amenities such as baths,
parks, and gardens, as well as numerous public pools, fountains,
and statues, reflecting the city's opulence.
5. FOURTH-CENTURY URBAN
INVENTORY
• The section also delves into the criticism of Rome's opulence,
with Lucian's description portraying the city as a haven for
materialism and excess. Furthermore, it describes the city as an
embodiment of urban confusion, where selectivity and
disciplined direction were challenging due to its almost
sickening profusion.
5. FOURTH-CENTURY URBAN
INVENTORY
• The paper also explores the societal aspects of ancient Rome,
highlighting the existence of new institutions such as colleges,
which emerged to foster fellowship in the face of the city's
overcrowding and anonymity. The presence of normal, sound
existence in the form of craftsmen and tradesmen, indicated by
their satisfaction in work and self-respect, ensured Rome's
longevity despite its negative aspects.
5. FOURTH-CENTURY URBAN
INVENTORY
• The concluding section emphasizes Rome's enduring charm
and vitality, as well as its significance as the cornerstone for
building a new urban civilization, chosen by Christian inheritors,
who saw the city as the center of a new world. Despite its
criticism and negative aspects, Rome remained a human
reservoir and played a vital role in shaping the new urban
civilization.
6. LIMITS OF URBAN GROWTH
• The "Limits of Urban Growth" section of the chapter discusses
the example of Rome as a case study of over-growth and
subsequent decline. The disintegration of Rome was attributed
to its over-growth, resulting in a loss of control over economic
factors and human agents. The section explores the lack of
built-in control systems in Rome, emphasizing the negative
consequences of its pathological over-growth.
6. LIMITS OF URBAN GROWTH
• It delves into the missed opportunity for Rome to achieve a
balanced, intercommunicating system to diffuse its power and
maintain a cooperative polity.
• Furthermore, the paper discusses Rome's monopolistic
practices, divide and rule tactics, and the lack of genuine
consolidation of forces, which ultimately led to its own unhealthy
over-growth. The study points out the failure to address the
problem of overgrowth and highlights how Rome sought power
and material emblems of power as values in themselves,
ultimately losing its rugged virtues.
6. LIMITS OF URBAN GROWTH
• Moreover, the section draws parallels between Rome's historical
over-growth and contemporary urban issues, such as
overcrowding, housing deterioration, and one-sided exploitation
of distant territories, which replicate Roman building precedents.
The study emphasizes the significance of Rome as a warning to
avoid moving in the wrong direction and the danger signals
presented by its history.
6. LIMITS OF URBAN GROWTH
• In conclusion, the section highlights the parallels between
Roman building practices and modern symptoms of urban
decay, signaling the potential of societal necropolis when these
signs multiply and the city is captured from within. The study
ends by urging vigilance against the magnifications of
demoralized power and the minimizations of life, drawing a
parallel to the contemporary urban context.
6. LIMITS OF URBAN GROWTH
• In conclusion, the section highlights the parallels between
Roman building practices and modern symptoms of urban
decay, signaling the potential of societal necropolis when these
signs multiply and the city is captured from within. The study
ends by urging vigilance against the magnifications of
demoralized power and the minimizations of life, drawing a
parallel to the contemporary urban context.
GENERALLY...
• The chapter discusses the influence of the ancient city of Rome
on urban development, administration of its empire, and the
principles of order and organization it instilled in its constituent
municipalities. The Roman Empire left a significant imprint on
every part of Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia Minor, altering
the way of life in old cities and establishing its special kind of
order in new foundations. Rome's loose administrative
organization used arithmetical notation, handling solid objects,
standardization, and regimentation of large masses.
GENERALLY...
• The Roman virtues of order, organization, and administration
were more observable in the freshly built colonial cities than in
the old capital itself. The foundation stones of the Roman town
were quarried mainly from the Etruscan and the Hellenic
cultures, reflecting religious and superstitious aspects and
military fortification. The Roman town, oriented to harmonize
with cosmic order, was a reflection of the Roman virtues of
engineering, arithmetical skills, and empirical respect for any
established order.
GENERALLY...
• The chapter extensively examines the influence of the ancient
city of Rome on urban development, the administration of its
empire, and its impact on the establishment of new cities,
utilization of arithmetical notation for administrative purposes,
and assimilation of cultural influences from the Etruscans and
Hellenic people. It emphasizes the negative aspects of Rome's
influence, highlighting the exploitation and suppression upon
which Rome's order, justice, and peace were built. The chapter
discusses how Rome's success was tainted by its parasitic
exploitation and suppression, leading to a city of parasites and
diseases.
GENERALLY...
• It delves into the excessive expansion and overgrowth of Rome, the
chaos in its sanitation, the compensatory rituals of extermination, and
the lack of control over its economic factors and human agents. The
text also emphasizes Rome's failure to diffuse its power and order, its
one-sided control and submission, the absence of a built-in system of
control, and the lack of self-sufficiency in its cities and regions.
• Furthermore, it touches upon the city's urban miscellany, its overgrown
megalopolitan state, and the absence of a genuine consolidation of
forces for maintaining an ordered and balanced intercommunicating
system. The text underscores the failure of Rome's political system and
the negative impact of its imperial expansion and lack of self-restraint. It
concludes with a warning about the lessons to be learned from Rome's
development, cautioning about the dangerous signals that could lead to
the decline of a city.
T H A N K Y O U

Thank You