A Brief History of U.S. City Planning

A Brief History of City Planning in the United States

Cities existed in the territory now known as the U.S. even before European settlement.
The Spanish were the first European power to establish cities in the U.S., with St. Augustine being founded in 1565.
The Law of the Indies codified one of the first examples of European planning in the New World, laying out the requirements and design of new cities.
The 1600s saw the French and English join the Spanish in founding new cities along the Atlantic seaboard.
The U.S. declaration of independence did not initially contribute to urbanization, as the focus was on creating a nation of farmers.
Technological innovations in the 19th century, such as the steam engine, led to the rapid growth of cities.
Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and disease became significant issues in cities during the mid-1800s.
Sanitation reform, including the implementation of comprehensive sewer systems, was prioritized for public health.

Early city planning initiatives focused on practical social matters like health and housing, with laws requiring separate bathrooms, courtyards, and improved fire safety measures.
Some reformers advocated for improving cities through monuments, slum clearance, and neo-classical architecture.
The World's Columbian Exhibition in 1893, particularly the White City designed by Daniel Burnham, inspired the City Beautiful movement in urban planning.
City planning became a distinct profession at the beginning of the 20th century, influenced by colonial city drafting, social reformers, and City Beautiful designers.
The first city planning conference in 1909 showcased differing visions of city planning, with a divide between social reformers and technical/aesthetic planners.
The rise of electric streetcars allowed for the expansion of housing on the periphery for the middle class, easing overcrowding in cities.
The introduction of the Model T and the subsequent increase in car ownership led to suburban development and radically altered cities.

80 percent of Americans lived in cities during the 30s and 40s.
Immigrants viewed cities as a means of assimilation and advancement, while black Americans faced segregation upon moving to urban areas for factory work.
Wealthy and middle-class families were leaving cities for suburban areas, leaving behind poor and black families.
Cities started building freeways using state funding, leading to the destruction of immigrant and black neighborhoods.
The Housing Acts of 1937, 1949, and 1954 favored real estate interests over public housing activists, resulting in middle-class housing built in demolished black neighborhoods.
Lack of federal funding for maintenance caused deteriorating conditions in public housing.
The planning solutions implemented created more problems for cities and displaced residents.
Urban residents began fighting against top-down planning in the 1960s and 1970s, led by prominent activists like Jane Jacobs.
While victories were achieved in stopping some freeway construction and promoting metro systems, urban renewal and freeway construction continued due to federal funding.

Planners lost power and direction due to public dissatisfaction and criticism of top-down planning.
Planning academics criticized top-down planning and associated it with capitalist interests.
Planners evolved and specialized due to new laws related to environmental protection and community development.
Transportation planning shifted towards considering all modes of transportation, not just cars.
Planners became experts in technical aspects of the job and also took on roles as educators, facilitators, and advocates.
Planners pioneered new approaches to undoing the harm caused by previous planning practices.
Smart growth measures, transit-oriented development, and urban growth boundaries were implemented in cities.
Urban challenges persist, including gentrification, high housing prices, car dependency, and racial and income segregation.
The future of city planning is uncertain, with potential impacts from self-driving cars and the need for ongoing reflection and learning.