The Built Expression of Washington D.C.

In class we have learned about how urban settings and architecture are a built expression of a conceptual idea. In all the cases that we have looked that, this concept was one of power and control, but do all built environments convey this concept? The United States of America is one that prides itself in its democratic society. In the national anthem, they even refer to themselves as “the land of the free”. The capital of a nation is one that is meant to represent the values and culture of a nation. Therefore by examining Washington D.C. on Google maps, I will determine whether there is such a thing as a free urban setting.

                The national mall is not a shopping center but in-fact a big open park. Insofar, it does not seem very different from any other colonial city we have seen before. The city is built in a grid formation; the only difference is that the city center is not built around a rectangular plaza. Instead, Washington D.C. is built around a cross shaped park, where the architectures surrounding it, is dedicated to administration buildings and cultural museums. The park is also often used as a place of spectacle and gathering during special celebrations. It is clear that this section of the city is a propagandist display of power and culture that is meant to represent America. At each extreme of the cross are monuments that emphasis this point. There are four monuments in total; two monuments dedicated to two great presidents of the American history, the White House, and the US Capital Visitor Center. As the name implies, the capital Visitor Center is dedicated to the use of tourist. It is a big and sumptuous architecture that is sure to make an impression. The architecture resembles that of the ancient Roman Pantheon with its rectangular colonnaded façade and round domed center. I have also noticed that this Roman style had been applied to all of the architecture surrounding the National Mall. This is clearly a conscious attempt by the American leaders to associate themselves with the one of the greatest empires of Western History and their democratic points of views. The Romans were known for being the first nation to establish a democratic government. Furthermore, they want to represent that they are also founded on the Catholic faith which is represented by the cross plan of the National Park.