#RMS_006

In the late Victorian era, the rapid and chaotic expansion of industrial hubs led to a deterioration in living standards, prompting a re-evaluation of urban design. Ebenezer Howard emerged as a pivotal figure, advocating for the creation of 'Garden Cities' designed to amalgamate the advantages of urban opportunity with the rural idyll. Howard’s blueprint envisioned self-sufficient communities encircled by protective 'green belts'—swathes of agricultural land meant to contain sprawl and provide residents with proximity to nature. This model was distinct from simple suburbanization; it sought to create balanced, autonomous municipalities rather than mere dormitory towns for major cities. Although the movement laid the groundwork for modern town planning and successfully established settlements like Letchworth, the ideal of complete economic independence was rarely fully realized. Consequently, while the aesthetic and zoning principles of the Garden City endured, the functional autonomy Howard originally proposed often gave way to commuter dependence on larger metropolitan centers. Which of the following best summarizes the writer's assessment of the Garden City movement?