Nuremberg: Historical city map (1648) by Matthäus MerianZentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte
Ever since humans first settled down into societies, urban planning has played a role in everyday life. Whether it’s deciding where to put the main road, working out where the chief’s office needs to be or finding the perfect spot for a place of worship, the way we design our towns, cities and villages has a huge impact on how we live.
Exploring how these layouts have changed over the years offers a fascinating insight into how our societies, priorities and lifestyles have evolved. It can also tell us what might be in store for the cities of the future. Scroll on to explore 3D models of urban sites.
Athens 2004 (2015-08-07) by MlennyThe Olympic Museum
The Acropolis
Located in the heart of Athens, the Acropolis was built in the 5th century BC. Like many early settlements, the Acropolis occupies a high point, standing on a rocky plateau around 150m above the surrounding landscape. This height made the complex easier to defend and also made the temples and shrines located within the development that bit more impressive.
Parthenon
The most important building in the Acropolis is the Parthenon. Completed in 438 BC, it was built as a sanctuary for Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. The prominent position of religious structures is another common factor of ancient settlements. In many cases, they were much better constructed than the houses that surrounded them, making them a lot more durable as a result.
Alhambra
The Alhambra
Like the Acropolis, the Alhambra is a world within a world. The fortified complex is perched on a hill overlooking Granada and contains everything from palaces, gardens and waterways to places of worship. Having all the elements needed for life in one, easy to defend spot helped to guarantee the security of the city and its residents.
National Palace 2 (2021-06-01/2021-06-01) by R.M. Nuñez
National Palace , Mexico City
This idea of fortifying the most important elements of civic life can be seen in the National Palace in Mexico City. Occupying the entire east side of the Zócalo, its imposing baroque façade houses the federal executive and the residence of the president.
National Palace
There have been royal residences on the site for centuries. A lot of the materials used to build the National Palace were actually taken from the palace of 16th century Aztec leader Moctezuma II. Unlike earlier urban developments, the National Palace wasn’t designed to house large numbers of people. Instead, it was intended to be a seat of power and a show of architectural prowess.
Bra Silia (1961) by Dmitri KesselLIFE Photo Collection
Brasilia
Brasilia was built from scratch in the mid-20th century. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, it’s a great example of how architecture can respond to changing lifestyles as well as shape the way we use our urban space. While administrative buildings remain at the heart of the city’s layout, they’re no longer fortified, giving the space a more open, inclusive feel.
Cathedral of Brasilia
Places of worship have long been located at the heart of urban layouts. In fact, in many cases, they’re the most important cultural sights in a city. The design for Brasilia shows just how much influence religion still has on urban planning.
Brasilia’s cathedral is one of its most beautiful and iconic structures. A modern take on an ancient concept, the structure shows that, while our cities have evolved from walled compounds to expansive metropolises, spirituality remains a cornerstone of urban life.
Earth Observations taken by Expedition 26 crewmember (2011-01-08)NASA
Learn more about Brasilia here.
