Visions of the City

Exploring the evolution of utopian urbanism, the book traces its roots from Ebenezer Howard's garden cities to influential figures like Le Corbusier and the surrealists. David Pinder identifies two main utopian impulses: one focused on social improvement without urban consideration, and another emphasizing rational planning to enhance social life through the physical environment. The situationists of the 1950s-60s uniquely combined these approaches, advocating for urban forms that foster a better society. The narrative primarily centers on European movements, with a notable chapter on Le Corbusier's 1935 visit to New York.