Summary: Colonial Urban Morphologies

Colonial Urban Morphologies
Mowla, Q.A.

Introduction

The city morphology should be studied through different fasing of development and evolution.
Eg. In Singapore, there is a strict segregation of ethnic groups and some of these patterns are still present.

Typology of colonization

The typology differs because of different factors: territory, time etc., for that, it is difficult to come to a general pattern. We can try to categorize them in broad categories: colonial growth, indigenous growth or both (Dhaka).

Context of evolution

The characteristics of the urban morphology can be divided into 2 groups:
1 cluster of settlements on the basis of tribe (Dhaka)
2 gated street, market village with open space, narrow paths crossing a main axes

Impact of colonization

Sources of impact
· Show power to local ruler (with architecture)
· Grid pattern of fortified chessboard with colonizers and indigenous separated

Development of pattern
Start by implementing small element in city centre square, mostly there is a second centre, making the separation between colonizers’ and indigenous’ atmosphere (quiet to more chaotic)
Mostly functional mixture, except French colonisation

Urban Morphology under Spanish Colonisation
Walled, grid with a plaza mayor and plaza de armas, colonizers inside walls becomes congested and strive away along river edges and shores.

Spanish Colonial Policy
They integrated social, religious, economy and politics transformations because of the lack of resistance.
Ethnic minorities in the urban fabric
There was mostly a buffer created between Spanish and Chinese immigrants out of fear, they remained therefore quite independent (the immigrants)

Urban Morphology under British and French

Many third world cities influenced and due to what has been said before there were differences between characteristics because of changes in colonisation.

Colonial Policy
Important to involve ‘middle class’ (eg. Indians with English thinking)
No interference = no extra costs
Assimilation (forcing principles upon indigenous)
Association (respect for cultural differences)

Socio Cultural Attitude
British system of power had resulted in merchants, traders land holders to have more power because of commercial superior local level was removed, shows in physical morphology

Experimental Terrain
French: tried to blend colonial style with traditional motifs, they saw the colonial cities as experimental grounds.
English: less interference, but few improvements
Colonial had to be better to show the grandeur of the nation, so no slums.

Spatial Manifestation of Col. Policy
Colonial powers: do things their own way, without local participation.
In the colonisation, the difference in civilisation evolution is so abrupt that no matter how, the natural growth of the city is altered.

Comparison of the British and the French Colonial Urban Morphology

Weak politics led to the compensation in architectural terms, ending up in buildings with a lot of authority.

Concluding remarks

The colonial legacy is still present because of strong social classification

European rulers were replaced by local = same privileged areas, just as bad

Assimilation of different architecture may eventually give direction to valid and authentic architecture and urban morphology suited to land and people.