Spring 2013 Arch

03/10/13

Urban Planning in the Renaissance

Introduction:

Renaissance urban planning was influenced by many historical and cultural factors of the day. The three major aspects of the European Renaissance were urbanization, urban design and urban planning. Urbanization is the trend of a society to increase population around cities or urban centers. Urban design refers to the physical layout of streets, buildings and spaces. Urban planning is the state intervention into the process of urbanization, a political process. The growth of cities during the Renaissance was due to four primary social and cultural factors; modernization of warfare, colonial expansion creating networks of trade, dangers of rapid urbanization and changes in Christianity.

Beginning in the 12th Century, increased trade to outposts brought about the rise in small merchant traders not dependent on feudal lords. New classes of elites not tied to the Roman Catholic Church were created. This brought about a mix of cultural, artistic and scientific changes in the 14th century. This renaissance was largely due to the wealthy merchant families from the different city-states. These families aggressively and competitively funded art, education and sciences in an effort to maintain power and prestige. These investments had a direct and profound imprint on urban planning and design. This caused a “… increase in the grandeur and number of public buildings.” ( Argan, pg. 24). The rebuilding of cities allowed patrons and architects opportunity to design the ideal city. Most streets were laid-out from the center and from one monument to another creating dramatic vistas. Scale and proportion on buildings became important on street facades. One can see from the aerial photo of Palmanova that the town is laid-out as a radial city with the piazza and cathedral in the center. The radial arms that extend from the center have wide streets that are flanked by buildings of the same scale. These monuments made up “… the heart of the city… on which both the historical and ideological symbolism rested. “ ( Argon, pg. 27). City design became the “ … stage for human actions.” ( Argon, pg. 21). The Palmanova town center can be envisioned as a stage.

Due to the modernization of warfare, medieval fortresses became ineffective. The introduction of gunpowder and artillery made walled medieval cities vulnerable. Urban design became a matter of elaborate fortifications and city-states were forced to adapt new engineering methods. Fortification design became “… both defensive and aggressive.” ( Argon, pg. 18). Cities began to spring up around military garrisons on frontiers. Palmanova is one-such town. It is designed as a nine-point star. Each rampart sticks out so that it can defend the other and create a killing zone for artillery cross-fire. As one looks at the map of Manta, the garrison forts that are located across the water, protecting the entry of each bridge, are a town/fort unto itself. As a port town, Manta is surrounded by a defensive wall. The two entries into the interior the boat dock areas are defended as-well.

Page 2

Colonial exploration and exploitation was the cause expansion of maritime trade on a regional scale. The crusades had the effect of introducing spices, silk and other products into Europe, resulting in dramatic increases in demand for these products. Knowledge and new perspectives on cities and urban design were also observed from other cultures and manifested at home. This trade became a major factor in the growth, form and symbolic significance of Renaissance cities. Manta was a city that arose from maritime trade.

The rapid urbanization of European cities created numerous problems to the fabric of society. Fires and plagues would devastate cities in Europe, not once but often numerous times. These disasters lead to public involvement in sanitation, construction and other areas. Urban planners began to design cities in response to these factors. Construction materials were mandated and widening of streets to act as fire blocks became standard. The aerial view of Palmanova shows integration of these design elements.

Christianity had a huge influence on city growth and patterns. Two patterns of cities emerged, one based and modeled after Rome, with administrative control through the Catholic Church, and one where merchant towns were more secular. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century strengthened the merchant class. The Reformation supported the idea that legitimate work ethic and profit were no longer seen as sinful.

Many of the urban design ideals of the Renaissance are in-use today. Washington D.C. is a city that embodies many of these urban design philosophies. It is designed as a city that is connected by boulevards from one monument to another. All buildings have height and set-back restrictions that protect the scale of the city and it’s monuments. Variations of the Renaissance fort designs have been used by the English, French and Americans prior to World War II. The Renaissance was truly an age of rebirth and cultural enlightenment that is still relevant today.

References

-Argan, Guilio C. The Renaissance City. George Braziller, New York.

-Scully, Vincent. Architecture, The Natural and Manmade. St. Martin’s Press,

New York, 1991.