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I was at part of a conference on G.K. Chesterton this evening and in a talk Chesterton's criticism of the modern city came up. Basically it was how old cities – like Jerusalem – were walled off, so you would know when you were in the city or out of it. Nowadays you “drift” in and out of cities.What do you think of this? Obviously we have no real need for walls as ancient cities did, but there would be something about having clearly defined cities. And I think as Chesterton mentioned, there are only select ways to enter or exit the city, and it would require effort (unlike today).
I was at part of a conference on G.K. Chesterton this evening and in a talk Chesterton's criticism of the modern city came up. Basically it was how old cities – like Jerusalem – were walled off, so you would know when you were in the city or out of it. Nowadays you “drift” in and out of cities.What do you think of this? Obviously we have no real need for walls as ancient cities did, but there would be something about having clearly defined cities. And I think as Chesterton mentioned, there are only select ways to enter or exit the city, and it would require effort (unlike today).
Walls these days are not for keeping people out, they are for keeping people in. Only closed authoritarian societies have need for walls around their major cities.
Besides having everything walled up like that would be unsanitary. And the graffiti problem would escalate like mad as well. ;D
Well, you would have more efficient use of space and “sprawl” would not be the same as it is now. I do think, however, that suburbs developed as a natural progression of citizens' wants and needs, even if these have created a shift in the way communities are developed. I wonder if it was the case of ancient cities that communities began to develop just outside the walls for people who wanted more room but also took the risks associated with this.I also wonder when the end of the age of the walled city came about. Anyone know when walls were no longer placed around cities?
Well, you would have more efficient use of space and “sprawl” would not be the same as it is now. I do think, however, that suburbs developed as a natural progression of citizens' wants and needs, even if these have created a shift in the way communities are developed. I wonder if it was the case of ancient cities that communities began to develop just outside the walls for people who wanted more room but also took the risks associated with this.I also wonder when the end of the age of the walled city came about. Anyone know when walls were no longer placed around cities?
I'd say the advent of artillery made siege walls obsolete.
