Walking through Manhattan today, I was struck by how a decision taken in 1811 still shapes the city’s everyday life. The Commissioners’ Plan laid out 155 numbered streets and 12 avenues across much of what was then rural Manhattan.

Principles based design

Principle 1: Avenues 100 ft wide

Principle 2: Streets 60 wide and one street 100 ft after every 8-10 streets

Principle 3: Each block is 200 ft by 600 to 950 ft. Based on avenues length.

Principle 4: Each property block 25ft by 100 ft. In Chennai city design the plot size was 40 ft by 60 ft called ‘one Ground unit’.

It was surprising that all skyscrapers came by consolidating small plots into big spaces of today. I can see many original houses existing on 25 ft by 100 ft spaces.

I may be wrong in my interpretation. New Yorkers please correct me.

Interesting city design based on principles rather than evolution which helped NY to become Long lasting design, vibrant economic global hub and catering to Civilisational growth after 200 years.