Evelyn and Wren: Characters of London

When the Commonwealth began, and England’s monarchy was replaced, it seemed like an expedient idea. However, social and economic crises caused distress in London. There was a lot of discontent that began to climax into a restoration of the old monarchial powers. During this time period, John Evelyn, wrote a book, where he was attacking the type of architectural system in the city. He was criticizing larger societal issues that tied back to the urban fabric. The essential takeaway from his book is that there is a correlation between the built environment and the social psyche, so he claims that classicsm is the best for society, pulling from Greek and Roman characteristics.

Evelyn also published a series of pamphlets in 1661 regarding air pollution (it is one of the earliest works on this subject). This pamphlet was written in three parts and directed towards King Charles II, which explained the problem, offered a solution, and a method of improving the air in London. This letter was directly addressing early vestigial phases of industrialism, and he referenced to the burning of certain products that released toxin into the environment that were harmful to humans and nature. This is a time when the emergence of industrialization is having its impact on the built environment and the regular environment at large. John’s solutions favored more flowers and various sweet-smelling plants and other vegetation to be placed near the city to clear air congestion. He also touched base on the opening up streets to form squares. This idea was received with some criticism from an anonymous person who went by the name of “Gallus Castratus”. Gallus criticized John for trying to impose a foreign scheme in London, saying that the idea would be a subjugation of ordinary people and will be imposed on a city that was built gradually. Beyond this contrasting notion, what becomes evident is that the built environment is being politicized. There is evident push and pull on ideologies. However, both John and Gallus understand that the shaping of the built environment does not begin with housing but with society.

Five years after Evelyn published this pamphlet, the Great Fire of London took place in  1666. The fire began in a baker’s shop and spread to over seven-eighths of the city (373 acres). After the fire, many architects submitted plans for the opportunity to rebuilt London to King Charles II. Many of these plans were variations of the grid system, playing with grid typology and location of squares or large urban spaces. While other proposed plans radically changed the urban texture of the city and their plans recognized London as trading hub, basing important squares around trading centers. However, Wren’s was the most adaptable to the existing fabric of the London because it had the least amount of altercations, and it outlined churches rather than trade. Unfortunately, most of Wren’s plans were not executed because property lines came into play. Property owners soon asserted their rights and did not give Wren the chance to work with a blank canvas. There was also no money to execute all his plans because during the time, England was at war with the Dutch that left the country in a financial handicap. It is interesting to imagine what London would have looked like if Wren had succeeded in his attempt to map out the city after the fire. Though it is an exciting thought, it would be more interesting to see what would have come later in time to interrupt his grid and how this interruption would relate to Wren’s grid.