Even though increasing populations of cities only made the cities larger and the factories closer, there were issues that were created with this dramatic increase in population. Frederick Law Olmsted was one person who discussed the issues of dramatic population growth between 1860 and 1910 in "The Unplanned Growth of Cities." Olmsted wasn't describing this population growth in a negative way, but more in a way that was backed up by statistics that he knew of. The reason why his interpretation could have been trusted was because he was an architect in New York City between the late 1800s and early 1900s, and he designed parks for many cities. He was famous for created Central Park, though, so he understood what was happening with the population that went on around him. He also understood very well the problems with transportation and buildings that were occupied, and one of things he said in "The Unplanned Growth" was this:
"Openness is the one thing you cannot get in buildings. Picturesqueness you can get. Let your buildings be as picturesque as your artists can make them. This is the beauty of a town. Consequently, the beauty of the park should be the other." His point with this statement was that people in New York City were just beginning to become crammed in residential buildings because of the growth in population.
Frederick Law Olmsted " The Unplanned Growth of Cities," Annals of American History.
[Accessed February 1, 2010].
Ethan,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have interesting information on a different way to look at urbanazation. I think that that is awesome! The only thing that I am left wondering is, what do you think? What do you think about the growth of cities and this different view on urbanazation? Do you agree or disagree? How do you believe that "openness" effects a city?
Good job