Judge Woodward envisioned the new Detroit as an urban Arcadia of interlocking hexagons. Each wheel was to be separate yet united. This dream never quite came to be. Planning is for the world's great cities, for Paris, London, and Rome, for cities dedicated, at some level, to culture. Detroit, on the other hand, was an American city and therefore dedicated to money, and so design had given way to expediency.
Judge Woodward had a grand vision for Detroit, imagining it as a harmonious urban landscape organized into interlocking hexagons. Each section of this design was meant to function independently while still being part of a cohesive whole. Despite this ambitious dream, the realization of such an ideal city did not materialize.
Unlike cities like Paris, London, and Rome that prioritize cultural significance in their plans, Detroit embodied a different ethos. As an American city, its development was largely driven by economic considerations, leading to a prioritization of quick solutions over thoughtful design. Thus, the aspirations for a beautifully structured city faded in favor of practicality.
