Le Corbusier’s Early Perspectives on Urbanism in La Construction des Villes, Focused on the Topics of Blocks, Streets and Squares

This study explores Le Corbusier's early urban planning ideas as presented in his unpublished work, La Construction des Villes 1910-1911. It contradicts the common view that Le Corbusier was exclusively a proponent of rigid geometric city designs during the 1920s. Instead, La Construction des Villes indicates that he was influenced by Camillo Sitte's more organic approach to city planning. This stands in contrast to Le Corbusier's later and better-known geometric vision, the Radiant City. While discussing his ideal urban block, Le Corbusier shows a preference for layouts with landscaped courtyards, creating safe, green areas for residents. The study also examines his views on streets and squares. Although he often promoted curved streets for their visual appeal and ability to navigate complex terrain, he also recognized the practicality of straight streets in major cities like Paris. Regarding public squares, Le Corbusier shared Sitte's criticism of 19th-century designs but still saw value in certain geometric Baroque squares depending on the context. A key concept in Le Corbusier's approach is la corporalite, which focuses on creating outdoor spaces that function like rooms, blending aesthetics with utility. Through this analysis of La Construction des Villes, this study offers fresh insights into Le Corbusier's urban planning philosophy, challenging conventional interpretations and encouraging a reexamination of his approach to the relationship between city planning and architecture.