The Emergence of Urban Planning: From Architects to Planners

TLDRBefore the early 20th century, there was no discipline called city planning. Architects, designers, and sociologists worked on urban development separately. It wasn't until the early 20th century that various disciplines came together to form the field of planning. Robert Moses, a planner, had a significant impact on shaping cities. Planning departments and academic programs were established, and the Chicago School of Urban Sociology emerged. Walking as a method of urban thought, as advocated by Walter Benjamin, became popular.

Key insights

📚Up until the early 20th century, there was no such thing as a 'urban planner'.

🏙️Planning emerged as a field when various disciplines realized the need for a coherent approach to cities.

👑Planners like Robert Moses gained power and became forces that shaped cities.

📖The first planning department in the United States was established at Harvard University in 1923.

🚶Walter Benjamin advocated for walking as a method of urban thought and observation.

Q&A

When did the field of urban planning emerge?

—The field of urban planning emerged in the early 20th century when various disciplines realized the need for a coherent approach to cities.

Who was Robert Moses and what was his impact?

—Robert Moses was a planner who had a significant impact on shaping cities. He implemented infrastructure projects like roads and highways and had access to huge sums of money.

Where was the first planning department established?

—The first planning department in the United States was established at Harvard University in 1923.

What is the Chicago School of Urban Sociology?

—The Chicago School of Urban Sociology was a school of thought that emerged in the 1920s and 30s, focusing on studying cities and explaining various urban phenomena.

What was Walter Benjamin's contribution to urban thought?

—Walter Benjamin advocated for walking as a method of urban thought and observation, emphasizing the importance of experiencing and getting lost in the city.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Before the early 20th century, there was no discipline called city planning.

01:19Various disciplines realized the need for a coherent approach to cities, leading to the emergence of urban planning.

02:48Robert Moses, a planner, had a significant impact on shaping cities through his infrastructure projects.

05:00The first planning department in the United States was established at Harvard University in 1923.

06:32The Chicago School of Urban Sociology emerged in the 1920s and 30s, focusing on studying cities and explaining urban phenomena.

07:23Walter Benjamin advocated for walking as a method of urban thought and observation.

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