Orthogonal Grids and Their Variations in 17 Cities Viewed from Above

There is evidence that the orthogonal grid plan, which is one of the most common types of urban planning today, dates back to antiquity. Streets intersect at right angles to each other, resulting in a grid composed of streets, avenues, blocks, squares, parks, among other urban spaces.

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Most cities that feature a grid plan come from urban planning, in which the pattern is a result of a previously thought-out urban design. The orthogonal geometry is more common in cities with predominantly flat land but may undergo modifications to adapt to different places with hilly landscapes, for example.

Adaptations may also apply to other specific characteristics of each city, such as block subdivisions or groups, chamfered corners, diagonal lanes, among others.

The following series of photographs depicts the orthogonal grid plan of 17 cities around the world and their variations according to local characteristics.

Barcelona, Spain

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Barcelona, Spain. Source imagery: @digitalglobe

Avola, Italy

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Avola, Italy. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery: @maxartechnologies

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

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Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery: @maxartechnologies

Athens, Greece

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Athens, Greece. Image: @spathumpa

Alamo Square, San Francisco, USA

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Alamo Square, San Francisco, United States. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery: @nearmap

Guadalajara, Mexico

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Guadalajara, Mexico. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery: @maxartechnologies

Cali, Colombia

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Cali, Colombia. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery: @maxartechnologies

Lyon, France

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Lyon, France. Created by @benjaminrgrant, source imagery: @digitalglobe

Galveston, USA

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Galveston, United States. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery @maxartechnologies

Valencia, Spain

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Valencia, Spain. Created by @benjaminrgrant, source imagery: @maxartechnologies

La Plata, Argentina

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La Plata, Argentina. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery @maxartechnologies

Stockholm, Sweden

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Stockholm, Sweden. Source imagery: @maxartechnologies

Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico City, Mexico

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Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico City, Mexico. Image by Daily overview

Central Park, New York, USA

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Central Park, New York, United States. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery @maxartechnologies

Casablanca, Marocco

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Casablanca, Marocco. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery: @maxartechnologies

Elche, Spain

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Elche, Spain. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery: @maxartechnologies

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About this author
Cite: Moreira, Susanna. "Orthogonal Grids and Their Variations in 17 Cities Viewed from Above" [Traçados ortogonais e suas variações em 17 cidades vistas de cima] 10 Oct 2020. ArchDaily. (Trans. Duduch, Tarsila) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/949094/orthogonal-grids-and-their-variations-in-17-cities-viewed-from-above> ISSN 0719-8884

Elche, Spain. Created by @dailyoverview, source imagery: @maxartechnologies

正交网格的城市规划,17座城市俯瞰

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