Cities: Past Dreams, Future Visions

October 2023
JSTOR Daily

Introduction

Dive into the world of urban planning with a twist! Discover how a mysterious group of billionaires aims to transform California with their project, California Forever, and the mixed reactions it sparked. This JSTOR Daily article takes you on a historical journey from ancient grid cities to today's aspirations for utopian communities. Laugh, ponder, and get inspired by the ambitious dreams and architectural marvels that have shaped human settlements from the Indus Valley to Seaside, Florida. Ready to explore how the past and future of cities collide?

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Why It Matters

Discover how this topic shapes your world and future

Building Dreams - The Power of Urban Planning

Urban planning is like the ultimate strategy game, but instead of playing on a screen, it shapes the real world around us. Imagine having the power to decide where houses, parks, and schools go, or figuring out the best way to keep traffic from turning into a giant snarl during rush hour. That's what urban planners do. They dream up cities from scratch or find ways to make existing ones better, blending science, art, and a bit of magic. From ancient grid cities to futuristic garden communities, urban planning has always been about solving problems and making life better for everyone. It's a field that touches on everything from history and architecture to environmental science and social justice. For you, this might mean safer, cleaner, and more fun neighborhoods to hang out in or, who knows, maybe one day you'll be the one drawing up plans for a city on Mars. Urban planning shows us that with imagination and careful thought, we can build not just places to live, but places to thrive.

Speak like a Scholar

Orthogonal

A fancy word for "at right angles." In urban planning, this means streets that intersect each other at 90 degrees, creating a grid-like pattern.

Utopian ideals

These are perfect-world ideas. When planners talk about utopian ideals, they're dreaming of communities that have the best possible living conditions for everyone.

Garden City

This isn't just a city with lots of gardens. It's a concept that mixes the best parts of city and country life to create communities that are self-sufficient, with plenty of green space.

New Urbanism

A movement that says cities should be walkable, diverse, and designed like old-fashioned towns, with homes, shops, and workplaces all close together.

Public buildings

These aren't just any buildings; they're spaces meant for everyone to use, like libraries, schools, and city halls.

Sewage disposal system

Not the most glamorous part of urban planning, but super important. This is all about how a city manages waste water and keeps things sanitary.

Independent Research Ideas

The Evolution of Public Spaces

Dive into how parks, squares, and other public spaces have changed in design and purpose over time. Why do some designs encourage community, while others don't?

Sustainable Cities of the Future

Explore what cities might look like if they were built to be completely sustainable. How would they generate energy, manage waste, and ensure everyone has green space?

The Psychology of Urban Spaces

Investigate how different urban environments affect people's moods, behaviors, and sense of community. Can a well-planned city make us happier?

The Impact of Technology on Urban Planning

From ancient grid plans to smart cities, how has technology changed the way cities are planned? What might urban planning look like in 100 years?

Cultural Differences in City Design

Compare how different cultures have approached city planning. What can we learn from the variety of ways people have organized their living spaces?

Cultural Lines That Shaped Cities

May 2023

University of Bristol

Mysteries of Pengbuxi's Ancient Towers

September 2022

National Geographic

Secrets of the Forbidden City Revealed