Planning History Flashcards
Colonial History until Now
What was the significance of the Land Ordinance of 1785?
Ordinance of 1785. Provided for the rectangular land survey of the Old Northwest. The rectangular survey has been called “the largest single act of
national planning in our history and … the most significant in terms of
continuing impact on the body politic” (Daniel Elazar).
When was the first “model tenement” built in Manhattan?
1855
What was the Homestead Act and when was is passed?
1862 Homestead Act opened the lands of the Public Domain to settlers for a nominal fee and five years residence.
When did the New York Council of Hygiene of the Citizens Association mount a
campaign to raise housing and sanitary standards?
1864
When and where did the first major tenement house law restrict physical conditions?
1867, New York
What city in what year began prohibiting specific obnoxious uses in certain districts beginning the land-use zoning in the U.S?
1867 San Francisco
What was the Dumbbell Tenement and when was it introduced?
1879 so called because of its shape. A form of multifamily housing widely built in New York until the end of the century and notorious for the poor living conditions it imposed on its denizens (lack of light, air, space).
When was Pullman, Illinois built?
1880-84 Building of Pullman, Illinois, model industrial town by George Pullman.
When was ‘How the Other Half Lives’ published?
1890 How the Other Half Lives (Jacob Riis) is published; a powerful stimulus to housing
and neighborhood reform.
When did the US federal government officially recognize the problems associated with slums?
1892 First U.S. federal government recognition of the problems of slums and cities (a
survey).
When was the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago?
1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago commemorating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World. A source of the City Beautiful Movement and of the urban planning profession.
When was ‘Tomorrow A Peaceful Path to Real Reform’ published and by whom?
1898 Ebenezer Howard publishes Tomorrow A Peaceful Path to Real Reform, start of
Garden City movement. Reissued in 1902 as Garden Cities of Tomorrow.
When did the first state court support ordinances restricting building heights?
1899 First state court support of ordinance/act restricting heights of buildings.
When was the New York State Tenement Law passed? Who was the leading reformer?
1901 New York State Tenement House Law. The legislative basis for the revision of
city codes that outlawed tenements such as the “Dumbbell Tenement.”
Lawrence Veiller was the leading reformer.
When was Letchworth constructed? What was the significance?
1903 Letchworth constructed. First English Garden City and a stimulus to New Town
movement in America (Greenbelt Towns, Columbia, etc.).
When was the first local Civic center plan developed? In which American city?
1903 First local “civic center” plan developed for Cleveland, by Daniel H. Burnham.
When was the first application of ‘City Beautiful’ principles applied to an American city? Which city?
1906 First application of “City Beautiful” principles to a major American city – Burnham’s Plan for San Francisco
When was the first comprehensive city survey completed on an American city? Which city?
1907 First comprehensive city survey, Pittsburgh.
When was the first official, local, and permanent planning board established? In which American city?
1907 First official, local, and permanent planning board (at Hartford,
Connecticut).
When and where was the first national city planning conference held?
1909 First National Conference on City Planning in Washington, D.C.
When and where was zoning first used in the US to restrict future development?
1909 First American use of zoning to restrict future development. Los Angeles creates multitude of zones.
When and where did the first state enabling act pass?
1909 First State Enabling Act passes (Wisconsin).
What was the first metropolitan regional plan in the United States? Who authored it?
1909 Plan of Chicago— first metropolitan regional plan in U.S. (Daniel Burnham).
What was the first American test if the neighborhood idea?
1910 First American test of neighborhood idea - Forest Hill Gardens, Long Island, N.Y.