The Raise of the Rail-Based Mechanical City

Abstract

We study the effect of mechanised rail-based transport in the shape and growth pattern of the city during the early Industrial Revolution. Often the railway required substantial changes such as the demolition of parts or all the city walls. However, the most enduring effect on city shape came from the use of railways and tramways for transportation within the city and its suburbs. Although still having one centre, this became larger and denser. On the other hand, residential communities accessible by rail grew around the city proper, London’s Metro Land being a paradigmatic example. Nevertheless, people still needed to walk the last mile and goods moved by horse carts determining the location of commerce and industry not far or mixed with dense residential areas. Increasing congestion, a public bad and a by-product of strong economic growth, could not be overcome until the adoption of electric underground city railways.