Municipal Art Society Course: The Evolution of the Urban Grid: European Cities
Understanding NYC's Medieval and Baroque Precedents in European and American Urban Capital Cities
8:26 PM EST on January 28, 2007
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.
Before he began blogging about land use and transportation, Aaron Donovan wrote The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund's annual fundraising appeal for three years and earned a master's degree in urban planning from Columbia. Since then, he has worked for nonprofit organizations devoted to New York City economic development. He lives and works in the Financial District, and sees New York's pre-automobile built form as an asset that makes New York unique in the United States, and as a strategic advantage that should be capitalized upon.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
Mamdani Will Upgrade Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan-Side Entrance By June
DOT will begin start construction in April of the Adams-era proposal to give cyclists and pedestrians their own entrances to the bridge.
March 27, 2026
Cycle of Rage: One Driver’s Convenience, One Woman’s Death
How can we rein in drivers when the whole system is set up for them?
March 27, 2026
Friday Video: Buenos Aires Will Challenge Everything You Think You Know About Buses
The Paris of South America has an amazing bus system — but it doesn't run like North American ones at all.
March 27, 2026
New York City Cannot Repeat Boston’s Big Dig Mistake
The city must learn from its neighbor to the north.
March 27, 2026
Friday’s Headlines: Mayor on a Citi Bike Edition
People and mayors who get around on foot, on bikes or on transit have a greater appreciation for our city. Plus other news.
March 27, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.