The Hidden Roots of the Garden City Idea: From John Sinclair to John Claudius Loudon

Abstract

The Garden City is known as a radical and influential invention presented by Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928) in 1898 in his book To-morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform. Less known is the past history of this conception of towns that combines the advantages of the city and the landscape. This article unfolds how firmly this notion was rooted in a tradition of enlightened thinking and planning. It is outlined by some of its most expressive milestones. Nowadays, almost-forgotten projects such as John Sinclair's “ideal village” and John Claudius Loudon's plan for London place the Garden City in a different and more complex light and indicate that Howard could count on an existing understanding of his concerns.