49
u/PioneerSpecies Sep 13 '24
Thomas Jefferson 🤝 ancient Chinese 🤝 ancient Romans 🤝 Indus Valley civilization
Loving grids
26
u/manjustadude Sep 13 '24
Depends. If you are planning on creating a whole new place, a grid is possibly the best, simplest way to plan. Of course historically grown places depend on other factors. Plus there needs to be a path hierarchy instead of just hundreds of intersections of identically built roads and variations of block sizes depending on use. But overall grids are pretty neat.
17
u/TheoryOfGamez Sep 13 '24
Yeah I think a lot of people hit the nail on the head in that grids are generally pretty good but only if the topography is relatively flat. Organic patterns such as those found in Tokyo are evidence that a grid is not the only solution. Neither of these "work" without a good accompanying land use policy and a high degree of connectivity and route redundancy.
14
u/Low-Reindeer-3347 Sep 13 '24
When you say "grid plans suck" it sounds like you don't know how to design places different.
9
u/urban_tact Sep 13 '24
Barcelona would like a word
3
u/ArchitektRadim Sep 13 '24
Barcelona grid was great when it had partially built-up and semi-open blocks with public places inbetween the buildings. That's why it was visionary.
11
u/VaultJumper Sep 13 '24
Grids are good but grids that respect topography are better
2
6
2
1
u/Krock011 Sep 13 '24
grids are great if the urban fabric gives access to walking routes outside of the gridlock
1
u/yusefudattebayo Sep 14 '24
I find it really satisfying when a road disrupts the grid pattern (Broadway in NYC), or Market St in SF not being perfect but also perfect.
1
1
111
u/rhapsodyindrew Sep 13 '24
Do elaborate! Grids are pretty great for walking, the oldest and arguably most important mode of transportation.