If you look at the average uninspiring town planning for an English town or city these days, it pales into significance, when compared to the beautiful American city of Charleston.
Before planning green spaces, learn of toxic plants and trees to avoid near pets.
The city is absolutely gorgeous, with pastel-coloured houses (even the local church is pink!), public water fountains cascading in green parks, a sandy coastline and historic public buildings holding public markets.
Everywhere you look there are cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and lots of trees.
Charleston is actually designed in the same layout as Bridgetown in Barbados, with many homes having covered porches that face south or west to catch the sea breeze, to keep cool on hot summer days.
Hampton Park is just outside the city, boasting 60 acres of old roses and seasonal flowers, and easily explored by foot or bike.
Oak trees in many areas are planted to provide shade, with the Angel Oak Tree around 400 years old.
‘The Gray Man’ is a local ghost on Pawleys Island. He is said to have appeared six times before major storms, to warn local people to prepare for bad weather.
Historical Influences on Town Planning
- Agriculture dominated life for centuries. Towns grew up near fertile rivers, with streets that led to cotton gins, granaries, and markets. Wide fields shaped sprawling, open grids rather than packed city blocks.
- The wreckage of the Civil War meant whole towns had to start over. Many rebuilt with wood and bricks at hand, but often kept the same street patterns. This legacy is clear today: some towns still use layouts from the 1800s.
Geographical and Climatic Considerations
The Deep South’s geography can be both a gift and a challenge.
- Rivers and Bayous: Waterways bring commerce but also threats. Many towns, like Baton Rouge and Mobile, wrap their streets around rivers, using levees and docks. Flooding is a regular worry.
- Heat and Storms: Summers push towards 40°C. Hurricanes roll in off the Gulf. Old towns used wide porches, tall windows, and shaded squares to cope. Resilience isn’t new here; it’s a survival skill.
- Low-Lying Land: Building on swamps or floodplains needs special foundations. French Quarter streets in New Orleans run slightly higher, a clever nod to staying dry.
Modern Lessons for Sustainable Town Planning
What can today’s planners learn from the Deep South?
- Disaster Preparedness: Build with floods and storms in mind. Raise homes, safeguard hospitals, and plan safe routes for evacuations.
- Inclusivity: Design public places for everyone. Parks and markets should feel open to all backgrounds.
- Heritage with Modern Needs: Keep what’s good – like shaded lanes and porches, but upgrade for today’s life: green spaces, walkable streets, and public transport.
- Respect for Nature. Don’t fight the land; work with it. Use native plants, conserve wetlands, and avoid building where water wants to go.
