From the grid plans of ancient Greek cities to the Renaissance's idealized urban layouts, the history of urban planning is a reflection of evolving power structures and societal priorities. Across the world, many African and Asian cities simultaneously existed without clear visual manifestation. the organizational structure being deeply embedded in cultural needs and social relations. Urban development is marked by a dichotomy - the contrast between top-down planning strategies led by influential entities and governing bodies, and the bottom-up initiatives driven by local communities. This interplay shapes cities, influencing aspects from infrastructure and public spaces to housing models and urban character. Delving into the differences between these strategies is essential to crafting a harmonious urban landscape that caters to the needs of its residents.
Housing, infrastructure, healthcare and education facilities, and leisure space - these pivotal elements form the backbone of cities worldwide. Urban planning then seems like an easy task, where templates of arrangements may be juxtaposed onto various regions and communities. The rubric of Modernist planning was as so, a singular concept was being exported to different parts of the world, failing to capture the intricacies of varying social, cultural, and environmental landscapes.
