Planning for growth and growth controls in early modern northern Europe: Part 1: the continental experience, 1540–1610

Abstract

Urban regulations as the forerunner of plans and planning as well as actual growth controls came earlier to northern Europe than has been commonly recognised. The comparatively urbanised Low Countries were often the first to regulate private development, and to incorporate the suburbs, layout new canals and towns, while planning for their defense. Philip II, the Spanish Hapsburgs, and budding absolutists like Henry IV of France and Christian IV of Denmark capitalised on these surprisingly modern mechanisms of urban development to expand their capital cities and help build the 'state'. By contrast, Elizabeth I, and for a while, Parliament, turned their backs on urban growth, prohibiting all new building in London during this period – to little avail.