Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Events

Municipal Art Society Course: The Evolution of the Urban Grid: American Cities

Understanding NYC's Medieval and Baroque Precedents in European and American Urban Capital Cities

Fourteenth Street in Manhattan is the divide between a rationally-planned streetscape to the north and an organic maze of medieval streets to the south. This course will examine the evolution of both types of urban planning in European and American urban capitals in order to understand the history and principals of New York City's development, as well as to point out the innovations and differences that Gotham has to offer.

Taught by Professor Carl Riobo of Barnard College, the class will meet on three successive Tuesday evenings to discuss the following topics:

    • February 6 - Introduction. European cities, including Rome, Madrid and Paris, with nods to London, Barcelona and early Hellenic cities.
    • February 13 - American cities. Primarily Washington D.C. and Philadelphia with brief mention of Boston, Baltimore and New Haven.
    • February 20 - New York City.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Adams Once Again Delays Pared-Down Protected Bike Lanes In Prospect-Lefferts Gardens

The delay caps the ignominious end of Mayor Adams's reign over the city's Department of Transportation.

December 22, 2025

Streetsies 2025: Advocate(s) of the Year

Little changes on New York City's streets without fighting for it — but who did it best? Please vote for this year's honoree.

December 22, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Turn-SPIKED! Edition

Gov. Phil Murphy put the kibosh on plans to widen the New Jersey Turnpike east of the Newark Bay Bridge. Plus more news.

December 22, 2025

Cough, Cough: Adams Administration Hands Largest Ever Idling Law Exemption to NJ Charter Bus Company

Academy Bus Lines requested the exemption — the largest in DEP's history — after receiving more than $500,000 in idling violations. But there is some good news.

December 19, 2025

Hochul Vetoes Bill Mandating Two Operators on Most Subway Trains

The veto from Hochul came over the concerns of organized labor who saw the legislation as a way to make subway travel safer.

December 19, 2025

Pedestrian Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver on Crowded Lower East Side Street

The driver kept going. EMTs took the badly injured woman to Bellevue Hospital, where she died.

December 19, 2025
See all posts