1. Borchert’s Model Links American urbanization to the
dominant transportation mode of the era (epoch)
Sail-Wagon Epoch (1790–1830) trade dominated by ocean vessels with sails, inland trade is slow with wagon trains. Coastal cities become important (NY, Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, Savannah)
Iron Horse Epoch (1830–70), characterized by impact of steam engine technology, and development of steamboats and regional railroad networks, trade and population moves inland along rivers and canals (Cincinnati, Buffalo, Detroit, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, St. Louis)
Steel Rail Epoch (1870–1920), dominated by the development of long haul railroads and a national railroad network (Chicago)
Auto-Air-Amenity Epoch (1920–70), with growth in the gasoline combustion engine, growth completely disconnected from waterways. Movement toward warmer climates. Flexibility of auto (and air) travel. (suburbs, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles)
Satellite-Electronic-Jet Propulsion (1970–?), also called the High-Technology Epoch. International connections dominate (Miami, San Francisco, Houston, Washington DC, NYC, LA)
Cities that emerged in earlier stages may stay relevant or fade if they don’t adjust to new situation (NYC vs. Detroit…….Chicago????)
Borchert’s Model

3. Gateway cities: cities that serve as an entry point to a different civilization, new world or frontier

4. Gateway Cities

5. Gateway cities: cities that serve as an entry point to a different civilization, new world or frontier
examples include:
St. Louis, San Francisco, New York, Istanbul, Miami, Honolulu, Tokyo

6. The Development of Cities Timeline

7. Agricultural Villages
10,000 – 8,000 BCE
Agriculture is born!
Some debate on which came first?
Hunting-gathering → agriculture → villages → surplus → specialization → civilization (religion, cities, social stratification, etc.)
Hunting-gathering → religion (temple sites), social stratification → agriculture (to feed workers, pilgrims) → villages → civilization (cities)
"First came the temple, then the city."
Göbekli Tepe

9. The Rise of Cities Characteristics of Early Agricultural Villages
dwellings were equal in size/possessions
indicates egalitarian nature of society
Cities (circa 3500 BCE)
The Fertile Crescent/Mesopotamia/Sumer
agricultural surplus → specialization
social stratification → leadership class (priest-king class)
Evident in size and ornamentation of homes
Urban elite = organization, organization, organization!!!!
levy taxes, demand tribute, build infrastructure
writing and record-keeping

10. The First Urban Revolution
3500 BCE
1500 BCE
3200 BCE
2200 BCE

11. Evidence of the Independent Innovation of Civilization
1100 BCE
900 BCE

12. The Greeks and Romans set Western standards for urban morphology
Greece = “secondary hearth”
not the original area of innovation but it makes significant contributions before further diffusion
Ex: Rome = secondary hearth of Christianity (Catholicism)
“orthogonal” = gridiron, right angles
agora
open, spacious squares where Greeks debated, lectured, judges, planned military campaigns, socialized and which was the focus of economic activity
the Forum
Romans combine both religious and political functions
Urban morphology
layout of a city, its physical forms and structure
Functional zonation
how different areas of a city serve different purposes

15. Cities rise/fall as trade focus changes
The Middle Ages (500 – 1300 AD)
with the fall of Rome, European urban areas grow slowly or fall into decline.
But, outside of Europe
cities grow along interior trade routes
Silk Road (Samarkand)
West African trading cities (Timbuktu)

18. Cities rise/fall as trade focus changes
The Middle Ages (500 – 1300 AD)
with the fall of Rome, European urban areas grow slowly or fall into decline.
But, outside of Europe
cities grow along interior trade routes
Silk Road (Samarkand)
West African trading cities (Timbuktu)
Era of European exploration (1400 – 1700 AD)
Most important cities are connected to?
Oceanic trade
Bombay (Mumbai), Malacca, Batavia (Jakarta), Tokyo, Amsterdam, London, Lisbon, Liverpool, Seville
Depends on situation

20. The Second Urban Revolution beginning in the mid-1700s
Closely linked with
2nd Agricultural Revolution
Industrial Revolution
displaced farmers (Enclosure Acts) who moved to cities became low paid workers for new industries
fast-growing industrial cities fed by agricultural surplus created by 2nd Agricultural Revolution
industry creates RR infrastructure that allows factories to move to urban areas
increased urbanization provides markets for industrial goods

21. Early Industrial Cities (mid-1700s – 1800s)
Watch “Filthy Cities Episode 3: Industrial New York” for enrichment
Cities were unregulated jumbles of activity, open spaces (like roads, empty lots) were garbage dumps, overcrowded tenements, pollution and sewage.
Living and working conditions were shocking!!!

22. Industrial Cities Improve (late 1800s – current)
Reforms, unions and industrial efficiency clean up cities, improve working conditions and improve the standard of living
Today, cities:
afford people the time to innovate.
are centers of political power, industrial might, higher education, technical innovation, artistic achievement and medical advances.
are great markets, centers of specialization and interaction, sources of news and information, suppliers of services and providers of sports and entertainment.
are anchors and instigators of modern culture.
are the spokes which form the structural skeletons of society

24. Culture and Urban Form Chicago School(s) of Architecture
1st : walls hang on iron frame = skyscrapers
2nd : glass and iron skyscraper, form follows function
aka “the International School”

25. Chicago School(s) of Architecture

26. Culture and Urban Form Chicago School(s) of Architecture
City Beautiful movement
Parks, monuments, orderly street plan (Daniel Burnham)
Beaux Arts style
"noble spaces"—grand entrances/staircases—not utilitarian ones
Arched windows and pedimented doors
Statuary, sculpture, murals, mosaics, and other artwork, all coordinated in theme to assert the identity of the building
Classical details: balustrades, pilasters, garlands
Subtle polychromy
Nice to look at AND creates civic pride and moral virtues

31. Culture and Urban Form Chicago School(s) of Architecture
City Beautiful movement
Postmodern architecture
Wide range of styles, challenges what’s “accepted”
Diverse aesthetics, anything goes, unique forms
More people-friendly = “cloud gate” aka “the bean”

34. Up next: Urban Patterns
The End.
Up next: Urban Patterns