Urban planning theory

1. Marah Ayman
Urban Planning
Dr. Deyala Al-tarawneh
15 October 2017
Grid Model Theory
(Hippodamus Grid)
Abstract
This article summarizes Plan and constitution – Aristotle’s
Hippodamus: towards an'ostensive' definition of spatial planning research
paper, written by Luigi Mazza (PHD at politecnico de Milano). From
which, Hippodamus thurii will be explained and clarified by mentioning
some examples and interpretations.
Introduction
Hippodamus the son of Eurphon,is an Greek architect, urban planner
& ancient philosopher. He is a native of Millets who lived during the 5th
century. Hippodamus was also known as the "the father of European
urban planning". According to Aristotle, he was the planner of Miletus
town. His model later named "grid plan theory"; that mainly depend on
governmental, political theories. Although, he had no participating in
politics practice.
Well, "Hippodamus of Miletus" was firstly mentioned in Aristotle
politics the 2nd book/ch.8, when he discussed the association between social
and spatial control. This can be concluded: '… the spatial arrangement
produced by planning is presented as an instrument of social control'.
Explanations
The first references to planning were mentioned by Aristotle in his
politics, where he has introduced Hippodamus of Miletus as a political

2. philosopher & planner. Indeed, Hippodamus didn't invent the orthogonal
grid, it was been in use before but he is the inventor of the division of
cities into that grid regarded to the social classification he made. His
layout served another Greek and Roman cities added to Miletus; such
Olynthus and Rhodes.
Concept; his technique was geared within the political essence.
Assumptions; his assumption is about thresholds segregations', both in
social & spatial aspects; in order to create a regime in which envisages a
distribution of profits form lands that are functional to the organization of
social classes. He assumed that dividing lands uses and the society into
three fragments, whereas:
-land uses are: sacred, public, & private.
-Citizenship: artisans, husbandmen, warriors –who fought for the state in
war-.
Sacred areas were customized for religious activities while public spaces
are to supply warriors within food. Private lands were been owned by
farmers.
Characteristics; Hippodamus arrangement of rural planning was mainly
based on order, regularity & rectangular grid of streets and buildings. He
planned for main streets and three cross ones, in which those main streets
are lined parallel to the length of town, where the cross ones lied along its
width.
Theory interpretation;
The term 'he invents' poses problems in interpretation the theory. Once
that term is seeking in 'cities division' this lead us to ask; did he really
establish a division for cities? What was this division? From when,
scholars were divided into two groups. The 1st group interprets the theory
as a physical division (The largest group), while the 2nd group interprets
as social division. Indeed, there is a 3rd group who avoid the issue.
The 1st group:
-named the theory; popularization of Hippodamian grid.
-they assume that the theme of the city comes from the geometric ordering
of it. So that, their interpretation is to be confirmed by "cut up Piraeus".
This quote were said by Aristotle that means Hippodamus had invented a

3. division of cities depending on a regular grid ; after that, he applied it on
the division of Piraeus.
The 2nd group:
-their social division interpretation is about dividing citizens into 3
classes. So that, the lands uses also would be divided into three territories
that allocated the three social classes. The procedure here is more
functional, it's related to the political organization of the town.
-a new term had been appeared; which is the invention of zoning scheme
technique: allocation of specific uses to specific territories.
Historical review
According to this paper research, the 1st orthogonal grid pattern city
was built in Indus valley-India-. Added, Babylon had a grid pattern. Those
cities planning are older than Miletus. Regarded to the valid information,
old Greeks and Romans are the inventor on grid motiph theme. When they
allocated public spaces and common buildings according to a changeable
criterion that depends on the changes in political and military
circumstances. Building regulations had also been discovered in a very
ancient city, e.g. Ur.
Examples (out of source)
Piraeus: planned in 462 BC.
-it’s the harbor of Athens, & known with its various topography (it was a
challenge to designate by Hippodamus).
-wide & straight streets.
-the central place of the city (Agora) was named Hippodameia.
-the city was geared to public life regarded its full of actitvity.

4. Olynthus: the city clearly followed the Hippodamian's plan in its northern
hill. Within a grid of straight roads, city's Agora allocated in the southern
end of the hill & surrounded by public buildings & commerce spaces.
Public lands were surrounded by private lands.
Finally, Naquet said ' that Hippodamus may represent an attempt to
create an urban space that reflects political apsce'. That social segregation
introduced by Hippodamus might lead to remonstrance and social
revolution. As Aristotle said that Hippodamus implied a differentiated
social and spatial, he distinguished the three classes within the citizens.

5. Refrences:
1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266208779_Centenary_Pa
per_Plan_and_constitution_-
_Aristotle%27s_Hippodamus_towards_an_%27ostensive%27_definit
ion_of_spatial_planning
2. http://www.museumofthecity.org/project/hippodamus-and-early-
planned-cities/