Creating Beautiful and Functional Cities: A Look at the City Beautiful Movement in the US

City Beautiful Movement

Daniel Burnham

The City Beautiful Movement was an urban planning and architecture movement in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The movement emerged as a reaction to the squalid and overcrowded conditions of many American cities during this period.

The City Beautiful Movement was characterized by a focus on civic design and aesthetics, with an emphasis on monumental public buildings, spacious parks and public spaces, and wide boulevards. The movement sought to create urban environments that were both beautiful and functional, and that would inspire a sense of civic pride and community.

One of the key principles of the City Beautiful Movement was the idea that urban design should be based on classical and Renaissance models. This meant that architects and planners looked to ancient Rome and Greece for inspiration, creating buildings and spaces that featured classical elements such as columns, arches, and domes.

The movement also emphasized the importance of public art, with many City Beautiful projects incorporating sculptures, fountains, and other decorative elements. The goal was to create urban environments that were not only beautiful but also intellectually stimulating, inspiring viewers to appreciate the beauty and history of their surroundings.

While the City Beautiful Movement was influential in shaping urban design and planning in the United States, its legacy is somewhat mixed. While many of the movement’s projects were successful in creating beautiful and functional urban environments, critics argue that the emphasis on monumental architecture and grand public spaces came at the expense of more practical concerns such as housing affordability and access to public transportation.

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