English Garden Cities: An introduction

• Tells the story of garden cities and garden city settlements and how, at the turn of the 20th century, they emerged as a visionary alternative to combat the social and environmental problems of a growing population
• The Garden City Movement was one of England's most radical contributions to urban planning whose influence was felt throughout England and beyond
• Examines the modern pressures on Garden Cities to adapt and change whilst still retaining their unique character

The vision of the Garden City Movement's founder, Ebenezer Howard, drew on many strands of political and utopian thought, and initially aimed at addressing the problems of an increasingly urban and dysfunctional society along 'the peaceful path to real reform'.  It took only five years, from 1898 to 1903 for the idea to take root in the open fields of North Hertfordshire, when Earl Grey proclaimed the Letchworth Garden City Estate open.  Letchworth was followed by Hampstead Garden Suburb, Welwyn Garden City and numerous smaller developments, and Garden City ideas informed both inter-war housing policy and New Town planning after the Second World War. Present-day issues such as sustainable development and eco-settlements have their roots in the Garden City.