Urban development at a glance - grown, historically planned and modern planned cities
Work orders:
A1: EA(10 min) - Refresh your knowledge about the different urban development models by reading M1 and applying your knowledge in the quiz.
A2: PA (15 min) - Stand at the bus stop and find a tandem partner. Analyze the three cities together (M2) and give your opinion as to which type of city they are.
M1:
In the last few lessons, we have dealt intensively with the development of Central European cities and learned about three key models:
- Grown cities
These cities have developed over many centuries without a fixed master plan. They have an irregular, often winding street network that has gradually adapted to the needs of the inhabitants. Historic old towns with central market squares and narrow alleyways are typical examples. Here, the townscape is created organically, i.e. through many small, often spontaneous decisions.
- Historically planned cities
Cities were purposefully designed early on - often as an expression of power and representative self-expression. Typical features include a symmetrical, often geometrically laid out network of streets, prestigious buildings such as residences or castles and clearly defined areas. This planning usually took place in the age of absolutism, when princes and rulers used cities as centers of power.
- Modern planned cities
Since the middle of the 20th century, cities have been characterized by modern planning. Here, current concepts such as sustainability, efficient traffic management and the use of modern technologies come together. Modern urban planners determine from the outset how living, working and leisure areas can be sensibly arranged to create liveable and sustainable spaces.
Here are four multiple-choice quiz questions to test your understanding of the three urban development models from M1:
Which statement best applies to historically planned cities?
They develop organically and show an irregular cityscape
They were specifically designed to express power and representation, e.g. through a symmetrical, geometrically laid out street network
They are based on modern planning concepts such as sustainability
They develop exclusively without state influence
What is the typical characteristic of a mature city?
A regularly laid out, symmetrical road network
An irregular, often winding network of streets with central market squares
Clear zoning into living, working and leisure areas from the outset
The application of modern sustainability concepts
Which statement best describes the difference between historically planned and modern planned cities?
Historically planned cities arise spontaneously, whereas modern planned cities are defined from the outset.
Both types of city are characterized by identical planning principles.
Modern planned cities are always smaller than historically planned cities.
Historically planned cities often show a fixed, representative geometry, while modern planning pays more attention to the functional combination of different urban zones.
M2:
City 1: Siena, Italy:
City 2: Karlsruhe: Germany
City 3: Milton Keynes: Great Britain