“Architecture is the triumph of Human Imagination over
materials, methods, and men, to put man into possession of his own Earth. It is
at least the geometric pattern of things, of life, of the human and social
world. It is at best that magic framework of reality that we sometimes touch
upon when we use the word ‘order’”
-Frank
Lloyd Wright
Cities are where we situate ourselves in the world. The organization of cities often resembles
disorder more than order in all of its messiness. It is easy to focus on the
negative consequences of our attempts to organize ourselves and benefit from
economic agglomeration. Cities are often solely characterized by their
problems. Despite the congestion, pollution, violence, and poverty, cities are
a vibrant reflection of our common humanity.
Anti-metropolotanism and Modernist Urbanism were two responses to the
externalities of cities. In their response to the problems like congestion and
pollution, the utopic visionaries explored new possibilities for the form and
function of cities. These visionaries try to replace the chaos with a
compartmentalized order. Many of these utopic plans like Wright’s Broadacre
City never became realities. White men alone cannot plan for a more perfect
city without the participation of the people. Utopic visions must be a
collective effort.
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