Edmund Bacon

Edmund Bacon (1910-2005) was an American urban planner and architect who served as Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission from 1949 to 1970. His work significantly shaped modern Philadelphia's urban development, particularly during the city's post-WWII transformation. Bacon authored "Design of Cities" (1967), a seminal text on urban planning that became required reading in many architecture and planning programs. The book explores the historical evolution of city design from ancient times through the modern era, illustrated with Bacon's own drawings and diagrams. During his tenure in Philadelphia, Bacon oversaw major projects including Society Hill's restoration, Penn Center's development, and Market East's transformation. His philosophy emphasized the integration of old and new architecture while preserving historic buildings, an approach that influenced urban renewal practices across the United States. Bacon's legacy is marked by his advocacy for comprehensive city planning and his belief that cities should develop according to a coherent vision while respecting their historical fabric. His work earned him the Philadelphia Award in 1962 and his ideas continue to influence contemporary urban planning discussions.

Design of Cities readers value Bacon's clear explanations of how cities evolve and function. The technical drawings and diagrams help explain complex urban planning concepts. Multiple architecture students note the book helped them understand city development patterns. Readers appreciate: - Historical analysis backed by specific examples - Visual explanations of urban design principles - Connection between past and modern planning - Personal insights from Bacon's Philadelphia work Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited coverage of non-Western cities - Dated perspective on car-centric development - Focus on physical form over social factors Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (483 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 ratings) One architecture student wrote: "The diagrams alone are worth the price - they helped me visualize how cities grow organically." A city planner noted: "Some of his auto-oriented ideas haven't aged well, but the core principles about human-scaled spaces remain relevant."

Design of Cities (1967) A comprehensive analysis of urban design principles throughout history, examining how cities from ancient Rome to modern Philadelphia evolved through intentional planning and organic growth, illustrated with the author's drawings and supported by case studies of significant urban developments.

Jane Jacobs wrote about urban planning from a community perspective, challenging top-down planning approaches in "The Death and Life of Great American Cities." Her focus on street-level observation and neighborhood dynamics provides a counterpoint to Bacon's more formal planning philosophy.

Lewis Mumford examined cities through cultural and historical lenses in works like "The City in History." His comprehensive analysis of urban development from ancient to modern times shares Bacon's interest in historical urban patterns.

Kevin Lynch developed theories about how people perceive and navigate urban spaces in "The Image of the City." His work on urban legibility and mental mapping complements Bacon's interest in city design principles.

Christopher Alexander created pattern language theory for architecture and urban design in "A Pattern Language." His systematic approach to understanding how cities and buildings work shares Bacon's interest in fundamental design principles.

William H. Whyte studied human behavior in urban spaces through direct observation, documented in "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces." His research on how people use public spaces adds a behavioral dimension to Bacon's physical planning approach.