Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/27856
BY DANIEL C. BALLY Thinking Outside the Blocks Hexagonal Planning Ready for a Comeback U rban planning has benefited from the wealth of knowledge result- ing from its interdisciplinary nature. Planners, as a collective of architects, geographers, sociologists, environmentalists and oth- ers concerned with urban design and function, have long regarded the rigid grid pattern for residential neighborhoods as a practice to avoid. During the first three decades of the 20th century, numerous design alternatives were proposed to counter the ills of the rectangular grid system. From those variations arose two promising concepts: one method involved the use of a hexagonal street network, and the other utilized curvilinear roads, loops and cul-de-sacs. Both had their merits with respect to economic, health and visual appeal. However, only one option was substantially promoted to become the eventual successor to the grid plan. As a result of the opinions of influential planners and govern- ment proceedings established to mitigate the effects of The Great Depression, the curvilinear, loop and cul-de-sac design was deemed 14 G E O W O R L D / M A R C H 2 O 1 1 Suburban Infrastructure