ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of urban planning

Urban planning is all about how cities are designed and the decisions that were made about their streets, neighborhoods, buildings, and other parts of the city. It's like a jigsaw puzzle, where the pieces are all the different parts of cities – streets, homes, parks, and shops – and the puzzle pieces all fit together to make a complete picture of the city. For hundreds of years, people have been creating urban planning ideas to make cities better places to live and work.

One of the earliest pieces of urban planning was when the ancient Romans built cities with straight streets, large public spaces, and public baths. They would also build a wall around the city to protect it from invaders. This design became popular and was used all over the world until cities began to become more complex.

In the 1800s, cities began to get bigger and more complicated. People came up with ideas about how to make the cities easier to live in. The first things people focused on were the streets. Streets were often very winding, so people suggested that they be straightened and widened. They also started organizing blocks into grids, which made it easier to find things.

Most cities now also have zoning codes and building codes that determine what can be built where. This ensures that things like homes, offices, and stores are all in the right places in a city. It also helps to keep cities clean and safe.

Urban planning is an important part of creating cities that are enjoyable places to live. By understanding the history of urban planning, we can continue to make cities better.