Theories of planning and ideas around the subject have evolved for centuries. Patrick Geddes, one of the significant characters in this field, devoted his life and contributed his view on city and planning. He had three different perspectives on the evolutionary theory of urbanism being developmental, evolutionary and environmental. (Batty, Marshall 2009) We will examine his ideas with close attention and determine his influence and impact on today’s planning world.
Patrick Geddes’s perspective of developmental city was influenced by other planners such as Ebenzer Howard on the idea of metaphorically describing cities as living organisms. (Batty et al, 2009:551) This is an interesting interpretation because of the characteristics of organisms. It is a natural process for an organism to grow and become mature. Cities will grow when planners execute constructive plans well. The maturity of the city might be indicated by population growth and strong economic activities. Additionally, as organisms will grow old and perish, cities will also vanish if they are not taken good care of by the planners. Perhaps, the substantial difference between real organisms and the metaphorical organisms (the cities) is their life span. Unlike the eventual fate share among all the real organisms, cities seem to be able to continue its existence infinitely.
Additionally, Patrick Geddes was also influenced by his surroundings when he was in his childhood. (Goist, 1974) He was interested in observation which induced his curiosity and became more aware of the interaction between animals and plants as well as the environmental settings. (Goist, 1974) This helped Geddes to reaffirm the idea of cities as metaphorical organisms. The mutual dependence and inseparable relationship between animals and plants is exactly the same in terms of humans and cities. Furthermore, Geddes suggested that the city should be planned in the manner which responds to the needs of the inhabitants. (Goist, 1974) It is particularly important because if the needs are not fulfilled, the inhabitants will be left with two undesired options. They will need to relocate themselves to a place which is able to meet their needs or they can stay where they currently are and perish because their needs are not fulfilled. In either case, the city will vanish as outlined above. The fact that Geddes established the first student hostel in Scotland proved he understood the need of the society and he planned the city in this way to meet the demand. (Goist, 1974) Therefore, the idea of planning around human needs again highlights the solid interconnection between humans and cities.
However, this developmental idea was limited as a real organism will have its “optimal mature form.” (Batty et al, 2009:552) The theory of evolutionary came into place and helped to retain the view of cities as living organism while enhancing the possibility of any unpredictable variations may occur in the process of the city development. (Batty et al, 2009) Charles Darwin introduced his theory of natural selection which suggested that only useful features will be remained in the process of evolution after organisms survive the competitive environment. (Batty et al, 2009) Patrick Geddes appreciated this idea of evolution. At the same time he believed the theory was reluctant and lack of initiative as organisms are passively evolving in the process. (Batty et al, 2009)
Patrick Geddes believed it is more beneficial for humans and cities to cooperate rather than compete with each other. (Batty et al, 2009) The planners need to construct the city well for mankind to thrive. In the similar context, there is no city without residents. This reinforces the idea of mutual dependence and inseparable relationship between humans and cities. Arguably, cities are not real living organisms. They are unable to initiate changes themselves but to be shaped according to the plans. In this instance, Darwin’s theory seems to be more appropriate as if cities passively evolved. Nevertheless, cooperation is still a crucial element in the process of evolution.
In additional to his evolutionary belief, Patrick Geddes referred urban renewal as performing conservative surgery. (Henderson, 2003) He illustrated his idea through his works on “rehabilitating tenements and removing dilapidated houses.” (Goist, 1974:32) The primary goal for this conservative surgery is to preserve the community and the environment. (Rubin, 2009) He also valued the idea of small changes are capable of creating big effects. (Goist, 1974) This is a critical thinking because often people resist to changes. It increases the uncertainty and sometimes makes people feel vulnerable. However, by introducing small changes and progress, the effect will build up to be enormous in the long term. People will also be more likely to adapt to these minor changes more smoothly.
The third perspective from Patrick Geddes on the evolutionary theory of urbanism is environmental, which Geddes considered the city in the context of environment rather than as organisms. (Batty et al, 2009) This is the extended idea from Darwin’s theory of natural selections. Geddes implied that through a better design of the city, the society lives within the city will be positively affected. (Batty et al, 2009) It is evidential that organisms will be forced to adapt to new environments. Thus, by providing a much more comfortable environment will make living easier to the organisms within this environment. Enhancing the quality of life is a goal that Geddes tried to achieve, (Mercer, 1997) and it should be the common goal for all planners.
In order to achieve this vision of better life for everyone living in the community, Patrick Geddes believed firmly on conducting surveys before starting to plan. (Mercer, 1997) This is essential as the effort will be meaningless unless these plans contribute positively to serve the purpose of providing better life. He acknowledged this idea by setting up his “Sociological Observatory and Sociological Laboratory,” in the Outlook Tower in Edinburgh. (Mercer 1997:215) This is the place where he performed his researches and surveys. We are thus able to understand the importance he placed on this idea of survey before planning.
Patrick Geddes was also inspired by Frederick Leplay when he demonstrated the idea of three major components composing a community being place, work and family. (Goist, 1997) Geddes expressed his idea of the composition of communities as the linkages between geography, economic and anthropology. (Mercer, 1997) These are the key factors to be considered thoroughly in the process of planning. Any changes made in one area will have effects on the other two areas. Geddes described the city is completed when all three factors are in harmony to each other. (Mercer, 1997)
The original perspective of Patrick Geddes on city as environment has probably the most significant influence in today’s world. This idea is acclaimed to be the foundation of sustainable development and Geddes is thus recognised as a forerunner on this subject. (Rubin, 2009) Geddes emphasised the importance to understand the relationship between the three elements (geography, economic and anthropology) composing the city before planning. (Brown, 2006) These three elements are later transformed into environment, economic and social in the idea of sustainable development. (Brown, 2006)
Sustainable development is the idea of satisfying needs in the present without being at the expense of sacrificing the ability to meet these needs in the future. (WECD as cited in Brown, 2006) From this definition, it is a clear message that not only the planners are responsible for protecting the interest of future generation, but also we need to increase our awareness on our consumption behaviours. We would like to have our future generation to enjoy this world as much as we do.
To conclude, we have examined the ideas of Patrick Geddes. He understood the city as organisms and believed in the theory of evolution. Furthermore, he perceived the city as environment. Even though he was influenced by many other people, he still introduced a lot of original thinking such as conservative surgery and valued the importance of understanding needs before planning. The treasure he left to us is the perspective of city as environment which developed into the idea of sustainability. Overall, we appreciate his contributions and it is important for future planners to continue his vision of a better life for everyone.
References
- Batty, M., & Marshall, S. (2009). The evolution of cities: Geddes, abercrombie and the new physicalism. TPR: Town Planning Review, 80(6), 551-574.
- Brown, D. F. (2006). Back to basics: The influence of sustainable development on urban planning with special reference to montreal. Canadian Journal of Urban Research, 15, 99-117.
- Goist, P. D. (1974). Patrick geddes and the city. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 40(1), 31-37.
- Henderson, H. (2003). Founding father. Planning, 69(1), 49.
- Mercer, C. (1997). Geographics for the present: Patrick geddes, urban planning and the human sciences. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 26(2), 211-232.
- Rubin, N. H. (2009). The changing appreciation of patrick geddes: A case study in planning history. Planning Perspectives, 24(3), 349-366.
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