ENVISIONED CITIES: MODERNISTS RESPONSES TO TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

Abstract

This paper explores the modernist vision of urban development in response to technological advancements, comparing classic modernist writings with contemporary perspectives on the influence of the internet on urbanism. Drawing on iconic texts from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries alongside a contemporary analysis by William Mitchell, the paper identifies common themes and critiques of modernist planning. Through a comparative analysis, it examines the shortcomings of modernist projections in addressing the complexities of urban life, including technological innovation, historical and contemporary contexts, the practicalities of realizing vision, entrenched behavior and human nature, conflict and control, and critiques from scholars like James Holston. By contrasting the abstract, idealized visions of modernists with the ambiguous and poetic descriptions of urban life in Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities, the paper argues for a more nuanced approach to urban planning that acknowledges the multidimensional nature of cities and incorporates diverse stakeholder perspectives. It concludes that while modernist planning provides a valuable starting point, a comprehensive vision for urban development must embrace the complexities and contradictions inherent in urban life to inspire meaningful action towards improvement.