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: European 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

Mamdani Appoints Pro-Labor Lawyer To Run Worker Protection Agency

"My life's work has been about ensuring that money and power cannot trample the rights and dignity of working people," said the incoming DCWP commissioner, Sam Levine.

December 23, 2025

Don’t Believe the Hype: NJ Turnpike Widening Still Happening

Gov. Murphy's late revision will just move the problem around, advocates say.

December 23, 2025

Off-Topic Tuesday: Streetsblog Joins Campaign for Public Financing of Non-Profit Media

New York provides tax credits to for-profit newsrooms. Now, non-profit digital outlets, public broadcasters and public access channels are seeking equal treatment. Doing so would strengthen our democracy.

December 23, 2025

Streetsies 2025: A Year of Horrific Carnage By Drivers

Car drivers terrorized New Yorkers throughout the year. Here are the most shocking examples of traffic violence in the five boroughs.

December 23, 2025

Anatomy of a Manhunt: How NYPD Quickly Caught a Hit-and-Run Killer on the Lower East Side

Cops used laser-fast technology, old-style gumshoe detective work and a little help from the hapless suspect to make an arrest in last week's hit-and-run.

December 22, 2025
See all posts