Question

How does the concept of "Garden Cities" aim to balance urban development and green spaces?

• A. By prioritizing high-rise development
• B. By dispersing residential areas without green spaces
• C. By concentrating development while integrating ample green spaces
• D. By ignoring the importance of urban planning

Hint:

\textbf{Garden City Concept (Ebenezer Howard):} Aims to combine the benefits of town and country living.
\textbf{Key Features:}
Planned, self-contained communities of limited size.
Surrounded by a permanent \textbf{Green Belt} (agricultural/recreational land).
\textbf{Integration of ample green spaces} (parks, gardens) within the built-up area.
Balanced land uses (residential, industrial, commercial, civic).
The idea is to have a defined urban area ("concentrated development") rich in internal green spaces and protected from sprawl by the green belt.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The Garden City concept was developed by Ebenezer Howard at the end of the 19th century (published in "To-morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform" in 1898, reissued as "Garden Cities of To-morrow" in 1902). It was a response to the overcrowding, pollution, and poor living conditions of industrial cities of that era. Key principles of the Garden City concept:
Balancing Town and Country: To combine the best aspects of urban life (e.g., economic opportunities, social interaction, culture) with the benefits of country life (e.g., fresh air, nature, open space). Howard called this the "Town-Country Magnet."
Planned, Self-Contained Communities: Garden Cities were envisioned as planned, self-sufficient communities of a limited size (e.g., around 32,000 people), surrounded by a permanent Green Belt of undeveloped agricultural and recreational land.
Integration of Green Spaces within the City: The plan included ample public parks, gardens, and green spaces integrated throughout the residential, commercial, and industrial areas of the city itself. (Matches option c).
Defined Density and Land Use Zoning: A clear layout with designated zones for housing, industry, commerce, agriculture, and recreation. Housing was often planned at moderate densities (e.g., garden suburbs with individual houses and gardens).
Community Ownership of Land: Land was to be held in trust for the community, with revenues used for public benefit.
Network of Cities: Howard envisioned a cluster of Garden Cities linked by transport, forming a "Social City." The aim was to create healthy, attractive, and economically viable communities that balanced urban development with access to nature and green space. This involved concentrating development in a planned manner within the city boundary and then surrounding it with a permanent green belt, as well as integrating ample green spaces within the developed area. Let's evaluate the options:
(a) By prioritizing high-rise development: While density was planned, the Garden City ideal often featured low to medium-rise housing with gardens, not primarily high-rise.
(b) By dispersing residential areas without green spaces: This is the opposite. Garden Cities emphasized ample green spaces integrated with residential areas and a surrounding green belt.
(c) By concentrating development while integrating ample green spaces: This accurately reflects the Garden City model – a planned, somewhat compact urban area with generous internal green spaces, surrounded by a protective green belt. "Concentrating development" here means within a defined urban footprint, as opposed to uncontrolled sprawl.
(d) By ignoring the importance of urban planning: The Garden City concept is itself a highly influential model of comprehensive urban planning. Therefore, the Garden City concept aims to balance urban development and green spaces by strategically planning development and integrating green areas both within and around the city. \[ \boxed{\text{By concentrating development while integrating ample green spaces}} \]