grid-like cities started in the indus valley
he grid pattern of the urban planning in the Indus Valley Civilization was a unique feature that set it apart from other ancient civilizations of the time. While other civilizations did have planned cities, the level of organization and standardization seen in the Indus Valley was relatively uncommon.
INDUS INFLUENCE?
The ancient Greeks are credited with developing the grid-like city planning that is often associated with their architecture and urban design. While there is no definitive date for when this practice began, it is generally believed to have emerged during the 8th century BCE in the Greek city-state of Sparta.
The earliest Greek cities were not planned in a grid-like fashion, but rather grew organically over time. However, as Greek civilization advanced and cities became more important centers of trade and culture, there was a growing need for more organized and efficient urban planning. The grid system offered an effective way to maximize the use of available space and facilitate movement through the city.
One of the earliest examples of a Greek city planned in a grid-like pattern is the city of Miletus, which was founded in the 7th century BCE. The city was laid out in a grid of rectangular blocks, with streets running at right angles to each other. The city was also designed with public buildings and spaces, such as a theater, market, and gymnasium.
The use of the grid system in city planning became increasingly common throughout the Greek world in the following centuries, with notable examples including the cities of Athens and Corinth. The Romans, who were heavily influenced by Greek culture and architecture, also adopted the grid system in their urban planning.
Similarly, the ancient Romans were known for their use of the grid system in city planning, with streets intersecting at right angles to form a grid of rectangular city blocks. Examples of Roman cities with grid-like layouts include Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy.
However, it should be noted that while these civilizations did use grid-like city planning to some extent, the level of standardization and organization seen in the Indus Valley Civilization was relatively unique for its time. The grid pattern of the Indus Valley Civilization is also distinctive in that it is oriented to the cardinal directions, with major streets running north-south and east-west.