In a Land of Cul-de-Sacs, the Street Grid Stages a Comeback
Since the 1950s, suburban planning has been dominated by winding, disconnected roads. But in Texas, new developments are rediscovering the virtues of the grid.
A plan of the city of Philadelphia, circa 1750. The city’s grid plan became a model throughout new towns and developments in North America — until the meandering streets of suburbia arrived in the 20th century.
Hulton Archive via Getty Images
America has long been a nation of grids.
In 1682, surveyor Thomas Holme began to assemble one of the first major street plans in North America for the new city of Philadelphia, producing a grid of wide streets, consistent blocks and regular parks. That formula rapidly spread across the colonies. In 1811, New York City would adopt its now-famous grid plan across Manhattan island. As therailroads pushed westward, a grid that centered around the train station became the street plan of choice.