In the home we make certain distinctions about functions…
“In the home we make certain distinctions about functions of rooms and corridors; we do not deliver the groceries straight into the baby's crib. In hospitals we do not take the food trolleys right through the operating chamber, and we rarely have the recreation room next to the convalescent room. We sort out the functions. We have to sort out the functions of the city and the streams of traffic and re-create arterial systems that allow us to breathe ... the shape, pattern and sense of community which you expect if it were a home.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cities must be organized like homes, separating functions to ensure safety, flow, and community cohesion.
In simple terms: Separate functions for safety and flow.
Key Takeaway
Design spaces with clear, distinct purposes.
Themes
urban design
functionality
community
safety
flow
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
theoretical
practical
When to use this quote
- city planning
- hospital design
- neighborhood layout
- traffic management
Key Concepts
systems thinking
spatial hierarchy
human scale
Questions to Reflect On
- How does functional separation affect social interaction?
- When should mixed‑use be prioritized?
A Different Perspective
Over‑segregation can hinder mixed‑use vitality.