ERAS
This section illustrates how Boston grew into the city it is today, by looking at the city’s dynamic components; its people, places, economics, and city planning actions.
Boston has evolved through several distinct eras, during which the city has a dominant social structure, a dominant economic structure, and dominant modes of planning the physical city to meet their needs. Roughly, every forty years, the changing circumstances of these dynamic parts interact through a tipping point that brings the city into a new era.
Breaking down Boston’s history into eras allows one to better understand how the decisions faced today, fit into historical context. It also helps explain the appearance structure of many parts of the city. For example, why the South End, Back Bay, and South Boston are laid out very differently from streetcar suburbs like Dorchester and Somerville. Likewise, using these eras allows us to clearly define and understand the close connections among immigration, transportation, technology, and other forces that shape Boston.
Boston has evolved through several distinct eras, during which the city has a dominant social structure, a dominant economic structure, and dominant modes of planning the physical city to meet their needs. Roughly, every forty years, the changing circumstances of these dynamic parts interact through a tipping point that brings the city into a new era.
Breaking down Boston’s history into eras allows one to better understand how the decisions faced today, fit into historical context. It also helps explain the appearance structure of many parts of the city. For example, why the South End, Back Bay, and South Boston are laid out very differently from streetcar suburbs like Dorchester and Somerville. Likewise, using these eras allows us to clearly define and understand the close connections among immigration, transportation, technology, and other forces that shape Boston.