New Urbanism in America

Urban Planning Development and Theories

Urban planning theories have been used for centuries in the U.S. to help cities develop and grow. Two prominent theories that have been used are the Garden City Movement and the New Urbanism.

The Garden City Movement was first proposed by Ebenezer Howard in 1898 (Pandey, 2022). The movement focuses on providing a sustainable, safe, and aesthetically pleasing urban environment. It proposes building cities in a rural setting, with a population of 30,000 to 50,000, which are surrounded by greenbelts. The city is divided into districts, with each district having its own set of public services, while all being connected to a central core. The private land within each district is devoted to industrial and residential use, with parks and gardens added in between.

New Urbanism is a more recent movement compared to the Garden City Movement, which began in the 1980s (Askarizad et al., 2021). It focuses on creating vibrant and livable communities by incorporating well-designed streets, blocks, and buildings, in addition to public spaces. The movement emphasizes walkability, mixed-use development, and transit-oriented development. It also includes principles such as preserving natural features, creating a sense of place, and promoting economic development.

An example of the Garden City Movement being applied in the U.S. is Radburn, New Jersey (Henderson et al., 2019). The city was designed in 1929 by Clarence Stein and Henry Wright, who were heavily inspired by the Garden City Movement. The city was designed with a unique layout that focused on creating efficient transportation systems and providing green space. It also included a strict zoning system to ensure that industrial and residential areas were separated.

An example of the New Urbanism being applied in the U.S. is Seaside, Florida (Mehaffy & Haas, 2020). The city was designed in the early 1980s by architect Andres Duany and planner Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. The city was designed to be pedestrian-friendly, with narrow streets and a mix of uses. It also included parks, public spaces, and a strong sense of community.

Both of these theories have been influenced by other countries. For example, the Garden City Movement has been influenced by the ideas of British planner Arthur Cicero, who wrote about the need for self-contained cities with their own economies (Henderson et al., 2019). The New Urbanism, meanwhile, has been influenced by European cities, including Paris and Barcelona, which have developed vibrant public spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and a mix of uses. In addition, countries such as Australia and New Zealand have also been influential in the development of the Garden City Movement and the New Urbanism, having implemented the principles of the movements in their own cities (Mehaffy & Haas, 2020).

Ultimately, however, the countries of Europe have really impacted these urban planning theories because of the aesthetic appeal of European cities: plus, Europe has also been influential in the development of green space, with cities such as London and Amsterdam having implemented large parks and gardens that provide respite from the hustle and bustle of city life (Henderson et al., 2019). Moreover, Europe has been a leader in sustainable urban development, having implemented policies and practices such as renewable energy sources and improved waste management systems (Pandey, 2022).

A biblical perspective can be applied to urban planning through Isaiah 43:19, which states, “Behold, I am doing a new thing.” This verse encourages us to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions to urban problems. Also, Proverbs 21:5 states, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Then there is Genesis 2:15, which states, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” All of these signify that a right and proper Christian perspective will facilitate and promote urban planning of the sort found in both the Green City Movement and New Urbanism. Why? Both are about creating something new, alive, flourishing, and fresh.

Urban planners can look for innovative ways to build cities that are efficient, sustainable, and equitable. They can also strive to create places that bring people together, foster a sense of community, and provide opportunities for spiritual growth. In this way, urban planners can ensure that cities are designed and planned according to God's will. Urban planners can also look to the Bible for guidance when it comes to designing and planning cities. For example, in Micah 6:8, it states, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” This should encourage urban planners to design cities that are just and equitable for all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status. Additionally, Proverbs 11:10 states, “When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices.” This verse emphasizes the importance of creating communities that foster a sense of belonging and connection. Through the application of scripture, urban planners can ensure that cities are designed not only for efficiency and sustainability, but also according to God's will in terms of beauty, principle and aesthetic value.