Lewis Mumford and his theory of urban planning

THEORY OF LEWIS MUMFORD

1. Architect
Lewis Mumford
Shubham Raskar
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Nishant Pawar
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2. Lewis Mumford
Lewis Mumford, (born Oct. 19, 1895, Flushing,
N.Y., U.S.—died Jan. 26, 1990, Amenia, N.Y.),
American architectural critic, urban planner,
and historian who analyzed the effects of
technology and urbanization on human
societies throughout history.
Awards: National Book Award for Nonfiction,
MORE
Notable works: The City in History; Technics
and Civilization; The Myth of the Machine
Education: City College of New York; The New
School

3. Harshly critical of urban sprawl, Mumford
argues that the structure of modern cities is
partially responsible for many social problems
seen in western society. While pessimistic in
tone, Mumford argues that urban planning
should emphasize an 'organic' relationship
between people and their living spaces.
Mumford uses the example of the medieval city
as the basis for the "ideal city," and claims that
the modern city is too close to the Roman city
(the sprawling megalopolis) which ended in
collapse; if the modern city carries on in the
same vein, Mumford argues, then it will meet the
same fate as the Roman city.

4. “argued passionately for a restoration of organic
human purpose in the larger scheme of things”
Mumford defines cities
through an analogy to the
performance arts: “the city is
above all else a theater of
social action.” He describes
the need for planning to
effectively account for a
city’s relationship to the
national environment and to
the spiritual values of the
communities within it, more so
than the physical designs and
economic functions. He spoke
to the ever-changing, multi-
dimensional personality of
urban residents and how they
have transcended “traditional”
displays of societal norms.
One of Mumford's key works is The City in History (1961), a sweeping
historical study of the city's role in human civilization. Mumford
taught and held numerous research positions. He received the U.S.
Medal of Freedom (1964) and was decorated Knight of the Order of
the British Empire (1943).
His ideal vision is what can be described as an
"organic city," where culture is not usurped by
technological innovation but rather thrives with it.

5. Murhford's plan for urban design:
Densities must be low
The size of cities must be limited
People must live in natural, open, green
environments.
Most interaction must be kept on a
primary level to assure mental health
and quality of social relationships.
The family, as the most important
primary group, as the focus of
redevelopment
Neighbourhoods are the main units of
redevelopment and settlement.
Education, both formal and informal is
stressed
Vehicular and pedestrian traffic are
separated.
<Mumford's new cities are complete
communities emphasising an organic
relationship between people and their
living spaces.

6. Road structure:
public transport
connects different
neighborhoods or
boroughs. Other
trails shall be
mostly for
pedestrian use
Vegetative areas
Are those which
They will both
around town as the
center of it
Building area:
They go around the
center city

7. LEWIS MUMFORD ON
WHAT IS A CITY
Cities can be classified in two categories:
1. Form
Historical development
Physical structure
Geographic space
region
2. Function- a stage for human interaction
Mumford also pushed the concept of poly-
nucleated cities (cities with multiple
centers) as opposed to mono-nucleated
cities (cities with one center).
The benefit of poly-nucleated cities is that
it would allow cities to keep on expanding
while being divided up into districts. In
other words, it would make the emerging
sprawl more humanly comprehensible and
practical, if not more manageable.

8. famous books by lewis mumford

9. The Story of Utopias. New York: Boni and Liveright, 1922.
Sticks and Stones: A Study of American Architecture and Civilization. New York: Boni and Liveright, 1924.
The Golden Day: A Study in American Experience and Culture. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1926.
Herman Melville. New York: The Literary Guild of America, 1929.
The Brown Decades: A Study of the Arts in America,1865-1895. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1931.
Technics and Civilization. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1934.
The Culture of Cities. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1938.
Men Must Act. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1939
Faith for Living. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1940.
The South in Architecture. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1941.
The Condition of Man. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1944.
City Development: Studies in Disintegration and Renewal. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1945
Values for Survival: Essays, Addresses, and Letters on Politics and Education. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1946.
Green Memories: The Story of Geddes. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1947.
The Conduct of Life. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1951.
Art and Technics. New York: Columbia University Press, 1952
In the Name of Sanity. New York: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1954.
From the Ground Up. New York: Harcourt Brace World, 1956.
The Transformations of Man. New York: Harper and Row, 1956.
The City in History: Its Origins, Its Transformations, and Its Prospects. New York: Harcourt Brace and World, 1961.
The Highway and the City. New York: Harcourt Brace and World, 1963.
The Urban Prospect. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1968.
The Myth of the Machine:
Vol. I, Technics and Human Development. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1967; Vol. II, The Pentagon of Power. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,1970.
Interpretations and Forecasts 1922-1972. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1972.
Findings and Keepings: Analects for an Autobiography. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1975.
My Works and Days: A Personal Chronicle. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1979.
Sketches from Life: The Autobiography of Lewis Mumford. New York: Dial Press, 1982.
The Lewis Mumford Reader. Donald L. Miller, ed. New York: Pantheon Books, 1986.

10. Thank You