Washington, D.C.

One of the courses that I'm taking this semester is called the 'Cities and Environments' (GGRA03H3S). It's an introductory human geography course that looks at the characteristics of modern cities and environmental issues, and their interconnections. Some of the major topics include: urban forms and systems, population change, climate change, water scarcity, planning for sustainable cities.

Interestingly, one of the sections of this week's assigned reading was about the history of the development of the political capital Washington DC, the city that was designed to reflect the national identity, which I've been twice.

My first encounter with the city was on the year of 2004, when my family travelled through the East coast of the North America. At the time, I was in around grade 5 or 6 and this city full of political infrastructures and memorials didn't really interested me so much. It was probably because my lack of understanding or knowledge on the American history, but it was also because of my strange obsession (or idolization) of the cool- good ol' New York City, just like anyone who would be visiting the States for their first time. 

Luckily, I had an opportunity to visit the District of Columbia again during the last Christmas break, thanks to my roommate who is from Virginia and have offered me accommodations. It was very refreshing to explore around the political capital of a nation. The bureaucratic atmosphere somewhat reminded me of the Wellington Street of Ottawa, but it was in whole 'nother different level. 

The following paragraphs are taken from the book 'Cities and Nature' (2008) by Lisa Benton-Short & John Rennie Short. I want to leave these paragraphs on this post because they do reflect of what I've seen  in the city and provide good narration for the unique characteristics of it..

"The development of political capital, Washington DC, underscores the attempt to embody political ideals with a developing sensitivity to the natural world. The 1791 design of the new federal capital reflected the struggle to create a space representative of American ideals and aspirations. The city was from the beginning rich in the physical and symbolic expressions of democratic ideals and a reflection of the formulation of national identity." 

"The neoclassical spatial order of the capital city was partly inspired by monumental planning trends in France. Common in France was the use of radial patterns imposed upon orthogonal streets, which offered an urban typology for expedient circulation, enchanting entry vistas and possibilities (space) for defining neighbourhoods. Within these monumental plans were symbolic spaces. Designing celebratory public spaces in squares and semicircles was supposed to give the city an air of grandeur, delight and edification. All of these planning elements were well known to L'Enfant and eventually incorporated into his design." 

"Central to the plan were two hills- one called Jenkins Hill, which would be the site of Congress and the other to the west would be the President's Palace (later called the White House). L'Enfant intended the two critical government buildings to be separated by space, a metaphor for the need to separate the branches of government. "

"L'Enfant's broad vision of a capital of buildings, public squares and promenades reflected the new country's optimistic outlook. It was a design intent on celebrating a ceremonial city, the center of national government and culture. The plan was on an immense scale, far beyond the size or even expectation of the government at the time."