The Legacy of Pierre Charles L'Enfant's 1791 Plan of the U.S. Capital
The First Comprehensive Urban Plan for the United States
Pierre Charles L'Enfant's 1791 Plan of the U.S. capital represented the first comprehensive urban plan for the United States.
The plan was commissioned by President George Washington to establish a grand capital city for the new nation. L'Enfant's design included a grand avenue stretching from the Capitol building to the President's house, now known as Pennsylvania Avenue. The plan also featured open spaces, parks, and grand public buildings, all arranged in a grid pattern.
The design was influenced by the French Baroque style and incorporated elements of neoclassical architecture. L'Enfant's plan set a precedent for future city planning in the United States, as it established a vision for a grand, organized, and aesthetically pleasing capital city.
L'Enfant's plan was not without controversy, however, as conflicts with property owners and disputes over the location of public buildings led to his dismissal from the project. Nevertheless, L'Enfant's plan remains a significant milestone in the history of American urban planning.
What were the key features of Pierre Charles L'Enfant's 1791 Plan of the U.S. capital? The key features of Pierre Charles L'Enfant's 1791 Plan of the U.S. capital included a grand avenue, open spaces, parks, and grand public buildings arranged in a grid pattern. His design was influenced by French Baroque style and neoclassical architecture, setting a precedent for future city planning in the United States.