INDUSTRIAL CITY
SANDRA SUNIL 4SN16AT047
Tony Garnier (August 13, 1869 in Lyon – January 19, 1948 in Roquefort-la-Bédoule, France) was a
noted architect and city planner. He was most active in his hometown of Lyon. Garnier is considered
the forerunner of 20th century French architects.
An "Industrial City"
Tony Garnier's Une Cite Industrialle is one of the most comprehensive ideal plans of all
time.Published in 1917, it is not only an outstanding contribution to architectural and planning
theories but also a sensitive expression of thought and cultural conditions of its day. Dora
Wiebenson's framing of the book focused on the Cite’ s lesser-known role as a product of its
cultural context, and as a bridge between nineteenth and twentieth century planning and
between academic and non-academic theories and techniques.
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IN EUROPE
The end of the nineteenth century was a time of great change throughout Europe. The advent of
industrialisation altered the landscape of the city forever. Many of the changes were not for the better and
living conditions in industrial cities steadily deteriorated. The Industrial Revolution had the effect of bringing
more and more people from the countryside into the heart of the city looking for work. Such dramatic over-
population and unrestricted urban growth led to slum housing, dirt, disease and a lack of communal green
spaces within the city landscape. Modern urban planning arose in response to this disorde. Reformation of
these areas was the objective of the early city planners, who began to impose regulatory laws establishing
housing standards for housing, sanitation etc. Urban planners also introduced parks, playground in city
neighbourhoods, for recreation as well as visual relief.
Tony Garnier designs the plans of an ideal
city, called “An industrial city” during his stay
at “Villa Médicis” (1899-1904). Published in
1917, it is a milestone in the 20th century
history of architecture and urban planning.
Tony Garnier will be rebuked many times by
the French Academy for not dedicating his
full energy to his research project, “Tusculum”
which concerned the reconstitution of a
Roman city. He dedicated himself instead to
avant-garde ideas, by working on his modern
city project, designed for about 35.000
inhabitants.
The “Industrial City” of Tony Garnier, which
can be compared to a city of labor, illustrates
the ideas of Fourier.
Tony Garnier located it in a place that can be
identified as being in Saint-Etienne area (near by
Saint-Chamont / Rive-de-Gier), which was heavily
industrialized at the beginning of the 20th
century.Going against urban conceptions of his
time, the architect developed the zoning concept,
dividing the city into four main functions: work,
housing, health, leisure.
The city is located on a rocky headland, the
industrial area being clearly separated from it and
located down the headland, at the confluence of a
river.
Four main principles emerge: functionnalism,
space, greenery, and high sunshine exposure.
THE CONCEPT
Garnier ‘s proposal was an industrial city for approx 35,000 inhabitants
situated on a area in southeast France on a plateau with high land and a lake
to the north, a valley and river to the south. Une Cite industrialle is a well
coordinated and monumentally conceived plan placed in a park like setting
where both the classical spirit of the academic tradition and the primitive
simplicity of utopian ideas is demonstrated. In his proposal, Garnier tried to
take into account all aspects of the city including governmental, residential,
manufacturing and agricultural practices. The various functions of the city
were clearly related, but separated from each other by location and patterns.
The public area at the heart of the city was grouped into 3 sections:
administrative services and assembly halls, muesum collections and sports
facilities.
The residential area is made up of rectangular blocks running east-west which
gives the city its characteristic elongated form. The residential districts are the
first attempt towards passive solar architecture. Garnier had energy efficiency
in mind as the city was to be powered by a hydroelectric station with a dam
which was located in the mountains along with the hospital.
The city was completed by a railroad d station to the east.
ZONING
The main factory is located in the valley at the confluence of the stream and river.
A railway passes between the factory and the city, which is on a plateau, and
further up are the medical facilities.
In the homes, the rooms should have at least one large window oriented south for
the entry of sunlight The land for the construction of the residential homes, are
initially divided into 150 meters from east to west and 30 meters from north to
south, dividing into lots of 15 by 15 meters, with one side facing the street.
Primary schools are scattered throughout neighbourhoods and in the northeast
corner are the secondary schools.
CONCLUSIONS
Garnier’s Cité Industrielle was never built but echoes of his vision can be seen in
Lyon where the mayor appointed him the city architect in 1905, a position he held
until 1919. The most important work to emerge from his Cité Industrielle was the
large stockyards complex, the stadium, the Grange Blanche Hospital and the
housing project known as Les États Unis. The most important connection of
Garnier with later planners is definitely through Le Corbusier. Le Corbusier was the
first well-known architect to discuss Garnier's work and possibly the reason why
Garnier became known as a pioneer of modern architecture and urban planning.
Thank You
