Anglo-America's great cities: Major characteristics, recent trends, regional variations

Abstract

The attempt is made to trace those features unique to Anglo-America's cities and their recent structural changes. Among the most important features are the frequent application of the grid pattern; the adoption and modification of the log cabin and of classical European style elements; the role of the central courthouse square; the creation of skyscraper, motel, commercial strip and shopping center; the concentration of industrial districts and of ghettolike neighborhoods of different minority groups adjacent to the C.B.D.; the tremendous urban sprawl in conjunction with the widespread private car ownership and the high percentage of single-family houses including mobile homes of some 4 million Americans; the excitement for experiments as to new housing facilities and forms of urban transportation. It is shown how these two highly urbanized nations have tried to solve their urban problems, which failures they have faced, and what the tendencies for the future of urban America might be.