Stuff You Should Know

Selects: The Manhattan Grid

August 15, 2026·47 min·7-min readnarrativehistory
Podzilla Summary (7 min)
TLDR
The Manhattan Grid, established by the 1811 Commissioner's Plan, transformed New York City into a rigid, predictable layout that enabled explosive growth but erased natural topography and community spaces, sparking enduring debate over urban planning’s soul versus efficiency.


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Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Josh ClarkChuck BryantDave RuskGouverneur MorrisJohn RutherfordSimeon DeWittCasimir Goerck

Books

City on a Grid: How New York Became New Yorkby Gerard Kephal

Topics

American HistoryHistorical FiguresHistory Of ScienceLong Form Journalism

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