3. the cul-de-sac subject

THE SUBJECT OF THE CUL-DE-SAC. The third and terminal stage in the transformation of 20th-century urban infrastructure can be seen in the emergence of a cul-de-sac organisation. This stage can be seen as an important refinement of the superblock from an isolated gridded organisation into what can be more strictly defined as an organizational spine. This spine emerges through two important transformation street organization: the elimination of the cross-axial field of gridiron organization and the emergence of a ‘terminal node’ or dead-end street. The principal example of cul-de-sac organization comes from the large planning projects of Mies van der Rohe and Ludwig Hilberseimer. Lafayette Park in Detroit stands as the primary example among many similar unrealized schemes. Cul-de-sac organization is also characteristic of the majority of contemporary North American subdivisions as well as European and Asian New Towns. The elimination of the cross-axial field brings additional levels of hierarchy to street infrastructure. being added to the overall ensemble. With the introduction of urban motorways into areas of new of urban construction subdivision and classification come into their own. The advent of the freeway and feeder road bring a fifth and sixth level of hierarchy into play. This hierarchy lists out as follows: FREEWAY/FEEDER/BOULEVARD/SPINE/STREET/DESTINATION. Through these levels of hierarchy, the broad range of social grouping allowed by flexible infrastructure of the previous diagrams is diminished. For the first time, a completely individuated subjectivity comes into view.