Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City concept was developed as a response to urban problems that were experienced during the time. Nevertheless, it is likely that modern city plans still have the challenges that the Garden City plan sought to solve (Starnes, 2017, p.2). Although the Garden City concept, was hypothetical, some prominent cities such as London seemingly adopted the concept when upgrading and expanding the city (Miller, 2015, p.11). It is vital to examine how the Howard’s Garden City concept compares with modern city plans.
Most modern cities are relatively unregulated and as such, individuals can set up their projects in any part of the city provided the individual complies with minor requirements such as paying tax. It is common to see government offices next to other structures such as hospitals, schools, private institutions, and so on (Le Corbusier, 2013, p.13). The transport network is also not very well organized; public service vehicles can even pass in front of education institutions or health centers. Most cities also do not have clearly defined residential estates. Perhaps the most prominent aspect of modern cities is that the welfare of the environment is seldom a consideration (Gould, 2015, p.8). In fact, trees are continuously cut down to provide more space for expansion.
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In contrast, the Garden city, though hypothetical, seeks to integrate environmental, social, and economic issues to create a city that is effective and efficient. The Garden City has six boulevards (major roads) that connect to the center of the city (Howard, 2013, p.34). It is important to note that the Garden city is circular, hence the six boulevards. Only important government buildings are built at the center followed by libraries, theaters, hospitals and other social facilities. At the outskirts of the city are residential estates followed by factories and large farms. In the Garden City model, there is great reduction of traffic congestion at the city center because most markets are at the periphery (Bigon, 2017, p.28). Thus, the Garden city proves to be more environmentally-friendly and efficient in regard to social and economic functions.
Bibliography
Bigon, L., 2017. Garden cities and colonial planning: Trans nationality and urban ideas in Africa and Palestine . Manchester University Press.
Gould, J., 2015. Plymouth Vision of a modern city . New York, Historic England.
Howard, E., 2013. Garden cities of to-morrow (Vol. 23). Mit Press.
Le Corbusier., 2013. The city of to-morrow and its planning . New York, Dover. http://www.freading.com/ebooks/details/r:download/ZnJlYWQ6OTc4MDQ4NjMxOTQ4Mzpl .
Miller, M., 2015. English Garden Cities An introduction . New York, Historic England.
Starnes, B.J., 2017. Challenges in City Management: A Case Study Approach . Routledge.
