Urban Morphology: A thorough Comparison of Modernist and Postmodernist Town Planning, Unveiling Systematic Neglect of Social and Human Factors

Abstract

This research paper undertakes a meticulous critique exposing the insipid simplification and impracticality inherent in modernist and postmodernist town planning. The pivotal role played by Jane Jacobs, whose theoretical contributions have significantly influenced the criticism of these approaches, is a focal point of this analysis. Jacobs' keen insights into what a city stands for, emphasizing the vitality of local communities and human-scale urbanism, serve as a cornerstone for reevaluating contemporary town planning principles. This oversight is distinctly noticeable in the paradigms of modernist and postmodernist town planning. In the aftermath of war, a fervent push to transform town planning into an applied science inadvertently resulted in the loss of integral elements, such as the city' s collective memory, desires, and spirit, alongside the importance of place and art of place-making. The paper contributed to a broader understanding of urban morphology and advocates for a more inclusive and sustainable vision for the future development of cities.