Ancient World

Hippodamus

– Greek architect who invented and developed the first theoretical basis for physical
planning in cities as an art and science
– Proposed the need for a rectangular street system (gridiron pattern) to give a geometric
form of urban spaces
– Public space was to be clustered together in the center of the city. Shrines, theaters,
government buildings, market space, and the agora (a central space where athletic,
political, artistic, and spiritual activity took place) were all to be close together in the
center of the city, enclosed by the grid of city streets.
– His planning philosophy and designs were used extensively in Greek colonial towns and
city-states such as Piraeus, Miletus, and Priene.

LEGEND:

(1) AGORA

(2) (3) (2) PORT AREA

(1)
(3) THEATER

(3) (2) (2) (4) MOUNTAIN AREA

(4)

FIGURE 3: PIRAEUS, ANCIENT GREECE

Roman Empire (27 B.C. to 324 A.D.)

– Understood the importance of transportation.

– Planned and built roads throughout the sprawling empire which ranged from Britain to
Babylon and Spain to Egypt in order to interconnect their cities.
– Followed a master plan that varied only slightly and enabled standardized construction.
– Created a center of business and political life that is known as the Roman Fora, where
triumphant generals built their memorials to the successful military and colonial
campaigns. (See also: Athens and the Acropolis)
– 8-storey buildings had been constructed in Rome until the first century A.D. when
Augustus imposed a 70-foot height limit, the first known example of zoning.
– After the fall of Roman Empire, the barbarians destroyed many Roman cities. Central
authority was replaced by local powers based in fortresses and castles (500 to 1500 A.D.)
RENAISSANCE PERIOD (15th and 16th Century)

– Venice was the foremost major world trade center and had a population of 240,000.
– An intensive preoccupation with the arts and humanities rose wherein effects upon
urban planning was more aesthetic than substantive.
– Basic form and pattern of cities remained unchanged but there was more concern for
beauty within.
– Axis style of city design and use of formal piazzas or squares was fostered by
Michelangelo, Bernini, among others.
– Renaissance established the concept of urban design – urban planning must consider
beauty as well as form and function. (See also: St. Peter’s Piazza)

LEGEND:

(1) St. Mark’s Basilica

(2) Doge’s Palace
(3) Campanile and St. Mark’s
(1) Plaza
(3) (4) Prison’s Palace
(5) The Procuratie
(6) Library of St. Mark’s
(2)
(5)
(4) FIGURE 4: ST. MARK’S
(6) SQUARE, Venice, Italy

BAROQUE PERIOD (17th and 18th Century)

– Monumentalism and grandeur of the reigning monarchs of the Western World and was
most vivid in France.
– Huge open spaces were created in cities with majestic boulevards.
– This era left a lasting impression that all cities can be beautiful and inspiring.

LEGEND:

(1) Palace
(2) (2) Garden of Versailles
(3) Residential Area

(1)
(3)