Washington DC is widely recognized as one of the best designed capital cities in the world.
From its grand monuments, to its wide avenues, the city design is both impressive and functional.
But what makes the design of Washington DC so unique,
and how has it influenced urban planning across the globe?
The unique design of Washington DC can best be visualized when taking a look from above.
The city’s grid layout allows for a highly efficient use of space, and allows for a direct
connection to all parts of the capital. These diagonal avenues, meanwhile, serve a dual purpose.
They not only create a sense of design and elegance but also represent the importance of
unity in the country. Each avenue is named after a state, emphasizing the idea that Washington,
D.C., is a place where all states come together to govern as one nation.
This design is the result of French architect and urban designer Pierre L'Enfant (Lan
Font), who was commissioned by George Washington to design America’s Capital City. L'Enfant
was a visionary architect who had a unique understanding of urban planning and design.
He recognized the importance of creating a city that not only served as the seat of government,
but also reflected the values and aspirations of the American people. L’Enfant plan for Washington
DC would be a city that was both functional and appealing, with wide avenues, public spaces,
and grand buildings. His plan included several key features, such as the National Mall, the
Capitol Building, and the White House, which have all become iconic symbols of the United States.
While this plan would be modified over the years, a final design was agreed upon in 1792.
This would go on to create the Washington DC we see today.
The National Mall is a prime example of L'Enfant's vision of public space.
Stretching from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial,
it serves as a gathering place for visitors and tourists.
The Mall is also home to many of the city's most significant memorials of American History. The
centerpiece of the National Mall is the Washington Monument, which is 555 feet high. It was completed
in 1884 and is dedicated to the first President of the United States, George Washington. Visitors
of the capital can take an elevator to the top of the monument for stunning views of the city.
The Lincoln Memorial is another iconic landmark located on the National Mall. It was built to
honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and was completed in 1922.
The statue of Lincoln inside the memorial stands at 19 feet tall and is surrounded by
inscriptions of his famous speeches. The National Mall is also home to the Smithsonian Institution,
with 11 museums and galleries that showcase the nation's history and achievements.
As well as the National Mall, many more public spaces were developed such as Presidents Park,
also known as The White House Lawn. This space is located just north of the white house,
and features several monuments dedicated to US presidents. The park spans more than 7
acres in size, and was created with an intent to provide an open space view of the White House.
This location has become a popular visiting destination in Washington DC, and has held
many large events over the past few years. The numerous Public Spaces of Washington DC relate
back to L'Enfant's original goal, which was to create a city that would serve a dual purpose.
Operating as a house of government, and providing ample space for tourists and visitors.
The Public Spaces of Washington DC are not only a symbol of American history, but have
become an inspiration for other cities around the world. Washington DC’s layout and design
has been recreated in many different countries around the world. Brazil’s capital of Brasilia,
was designed and built in the late 1950s with a similar layout to that of Washington DC.
From above, the Monumental Axis is clearly visible, which was meant to replicate The National
Mall in Washington Dc. While developers had hoped to recreate the style of the National Mall, the
project was met with widespread backlash. One of the main problems was the city’s reliance on
highways and cars instead of walkable streets. This resulted in widespread disagreement over
its construction. But Brazil is not the only country to attempt to recreate Washington DC.
Another Capital City Inspired by this design is New Delhi, The Capital of India.
This city was designed by British Architect Edwin Lutyens, who was heavily influenced by
the design of Washington DC. The wide avenues and the use of the center axis
point were inspirations to his design for India's Capital. The design of New Delhi is
centered upon the Central Vista, which holds various government ministries and monuments.
Similar to The National Mall, at one end of the vista is a monument, which is the India Gate.
The Central Vista is currently undergoing a $1.6 billion dollar redevelopment project,
which aims to revamp this entire area. The redevelopment includes new government offices,
as well as more public spaces for tourists and visitors. When completed, 8 new structures will
be added to the Centra Vista, with many more being repurposed or demolished all together.
Like Washington DC, the Indian Government has taken inspiration
from the National mall to redevelop this area.
By reconstructing this region, The government hopes they can create a district that can
better cater to the country's evolving needs. This project is expected to be fully completed by 2026.
The design of Washington DC has resulted in a broader effect on urban planning and design all
across the world. It has inspired the way many cities were designed operate today,
and has played a significant role in the history of Urban planning.
But the Capital's design is certainly not without its flaws.
With such a car centric layout, many have disagreed with the urban planning behind
this city. The capital’s wide avenues and diagonal streets were designed with the
intention of accommodating car traffic, which was seen as a necessity in the 20th century.
While the boulevards are a key part of the city, this design decision has had a number
of negative consequences. With such high car density, air pollution and traffic congestion
have become major problems. While efforts have been made in recent years to promote
public transportation and alternative methods of traveling around the city,
the legacy of the car-centric design remains. Many have also criticized the city for its lack
of affordable housing. and urban sprawl. The capital's strict zoning laws and have
been a source of controversy over the years. Nevertheless,
the city’s various open parks and public spaces have helped limit the effects of
its car centric design. The combination of these factors have allowed Washington DC
function as both a house of government, and a gathering place for tourists and visitors.
Pierre L’Enfant’s vision for Washington DC was to create a city that would serve
as both the seat of government and a large public space that reflects the
values and aspirations of the American people. His vision of open public spaces, wide avenues,
and diagonal streets would go on to serve as both functional and elegant. Today, L”Enfant’s
vision has proven to be successful, with nearly 25 million visitors each year. But for now, the
design of Washington DC will live on, and continue to inspire urban planning all across the globe.
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