Cities of Tomorrow

In this episode, we discuss the book Cities of Tomorrow: An Intellectual History of Urban Planning and Design Since 1880 with author Peter Hall. This seminal work provides a comprehensive overview of the ideas, events, and people that have shaped modern cities. It analyzes different schools of urban thought and their practical applications throughout the 20th century.

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The book explores contrasting urban visions, such as the anarchist-inspired garden city movement of Ebenezer Howard and the totalitarian vision of Le Corbusier's "Radiant City." Hall contrasts the creation of self-sufficient communities with the large-scale, top-down approach of monumental city planning.

Hall also examines how planning theories have addressed or failed to address social and economic problems like slums, poverty, and urban decay. He discusses how cities have evolved in response to new technologies like mass transit and the automobile, leading to suburbanization and sprawl.

The book uses a wide range of international examples, including London, Paris, New York, Brasília, and Chandigarh, to illustrate how different planning philosophies have been implemented and the outcomes they have produced. It also touches on more recent trends, such as the shift towards enterprise-driven urban development and community-led initiatives.