C. Bachman’s View looking south from Union Square, 1849.
Courtesy MCNY
The grid pattern has been around for thousands of years and every city that has adopted the gridlock plan has a personal relationship with it. One of the most famous grids in the world is celebrating its 200th birthday and it is , you guessed it, Manhattan. Manhattan has much support for its grid as it does critics. Many architects, designers and planners have argued that for a space as small as Manhattan it has used one of the most effective planning devices to maximize space. This however may be problematic according to some professionals. Many argue that because of its tight, enclosed grid spaces, there is not one structure in Manhattan that can be fully appreciated at a distance. To read the full appreciation or critique of this city, view the article here.
References: archpaper.com
