Planning intermediate spaces
Introduction
The Charter of Athens is a fundamental document in the history of urban planning of the century that collects the conclusions of the IV International Congress of Modern Architecture (CIAM) in 1933. Published around 1942 in a version edited by Le Corbusier, it constitutes one of the most influential manifestos of functionalist urbanism and modern planning. The text proposes a comprehensive reorganization of the city based on hygiene criteria, functional rationalization and zoning, and significantly influenced post-war urban strategies.[1].
At this congress, architects and urban planners linked to the modern movement analyzed various European cities with the aim of identifying the structural problems of the industrial city. Although the conclusions of the congress were formulated collectively, the definitive text was written and published by Le Corbusier in 1943, incorporating personal comments and reinterpretations that have been the subject of historiographic debate. This editorial process explains, in part, the normative and systematic nature of the document, as well as the strong imprint of Corbusian functionalist thought.[2].
Historical Context
During the 1920s and 1930s, European industrial cities faced serious problems related to density, unhealthiness, and lack of adequate housing. In this context, CIAM emerged, founded in 1928 with the aim of developing a modern theory of architecture and urban planning.[1].
The IV Congress, held aboard the ship Patris II, brought together delegates from different countries who systematically analyzed the urban situation of several European cities. These investigations included data on density, housing, mobility and public space. The conclusions were intended to form a common text that should guide the rational planning of the modern city.[1].
The Charter is part of a context marked by the accelerated growth of cities, the precariousness of working-class housing and the effects of industrialization on public health. In contrast to the compact and multifunctional historical city, the manifesto proposes a rational city "Rationalism (architecture)"), ordered and legible, organized based on clearly differentiated functions. This vision sought to offer universal solutions applicable to different urban contexts, based on the technical advances of modern architecture and a scientific conception of urban planning.[3].