Karlsrhue - Carlsrhue Promenade

‘What did you see in Karlsruhe?’
‘An irony. It was planned by a libertine autocrat who wished to glorify himself. But in doing so he benefited the public.’
‘How did he do that?’
‘He made a star of avenues. It radiates from his castle to a perfectly circular pedestrian promenade that is free for all to use.’ This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024). 

Karlsruhe: A Model of Urban Planning (aka Carlsrhue)

John Claudius Loudon’s interest in ‘promenades’, which we would call ‘parkways’ or
‘greenways’ began with his visit to Karlsruhe (then known in Britain as
Carlsrhue). This led him to propose promenades in London and in Edinburgh. Loudon wrote that:

‘Public Gardens are either designed for recreation, instruction, or commercial purposes. The first include equestrian and pedestrian promenades; the second, botanic and experimental gardens; and the third, public nurseries, market gardens, florists' gardens, orchards, seed gardens, and herb gardens.’

‘Public Parks, or Equestrian Promenades, are valuable appendages to large cities. Extent and a free air are the principal requisites, and the roads should be arranged so as to produce few intersections, but at the same time so as carriages may make either the tour of the whole scene, or adopt a shorter tour at pleasure. In the course of long roads, there ought to be occasional bays or side expansions to admit of carriages separating from the course, halting or turning. Where such promenades are very extensive, they are furnished with places of accommodation and refreshment, both for men and horses; this is a valued part of their arrangement for occasional visitors from a distance, or in hired vehicles.’

‘Our continental neighbours have hitherto greatly excelled us in this department of gardening; almost every town of consequence having its promenades for the citizens a cheval and also au pied… The public garden of Carlsruhe (fig. 572.), and the town itself both formed to correspond with each other by the prince. The palace (a), is noticed by Sulzer (Theorie des beaux Arts, &c.) and by Hirschfield (Theorie des Jardins, &c. vol. iv. 416.), as one of the finest in Germany, and remarkable for having the wings at an oblique angle to the main building. Behind, exactly in the centre of the circular carriage promenade (b), is a tower (c), which commands a bird's-eye view of the whole park, pleasure and kitchen-gardens (d), and the town and church (e). The whole is on level ground, and joined to a natural forest. Among the trees near the palace, are some of the finest old tulip trees, planes, bignonias, sumachis, acacias, cedars, and other exotic trees in Germany.’

2038. Boulvards (Boulvard, Fr., or round work, a bulwark, or great bastion, or rampart, generally round). Many of the continental cities have a species of equestrian proThese are broad roads, menade within their boundary, which is deserving of imitation. accompanied by rows of trees, near the margin of the city, originally formed on the ramparts, or surrounding fortifications, and completely encircling it. They are highly interesting promenades, especially to a stranger, to whom they give an idea of the topography and most remarkable points of the scene in the most agreeable manner. The boulevards at Paris, Vienna, and Moscow, are particularly to be admired in these respects. A similar promenade, of a very interesting kind, might be formed in the margin of London, by continuing the street called the New-road through HydePark, entering close to where Kensington-Gardens leave off, proceeding thence across the Serpentine-river, and coming out exactly opposite Sloane-street: then along this street and part of the King's-road, to the road leading to Vauxhall-bridge; from this bridge along roads already formed, and as may be seen by the map, well suited to lead to Blackheath; turn towards London through Greenwich Park, so as to display the best views of the metropolis over Greenwich-Hospital; form a viaduct or road, on a cast-iron colonade across the river, sufficiently high to admit ships in full sail to pass under; descend this, and then join the Commercial-road, which joins the New-road, and completes the circle.

This course which, with the exception of the bridge, might be formed at no great expense or derangement of property, would give a grand view of the metropolis, and by now and then deviating from the direct road and returning to it, Kensington Gardens, Hammersmith Nursery, the King's-road gardens, Chelsea-garden, the garden of Loddiges' at Hackney, the Regent's-park, Highgate, Hampstead, and all the most interesting gardens, scenery, and objects close to London, might be rapidly glanced at in one day.

The Influence of Karlsruhe on Urban Design

Karlsruhe, founded in 1715, is a unique example of a planned city. Its radial design, centered around the Karlsruhe Palace, was a pioneering approach to urban development. The city's extensive network of parks and gardens, including the Karlsruhe Palace Gardens and the Durlach Palace Gardens, played a crucial role in shaping its identity. Karlsruhe's influence can be seen in other planned cities around the world, demonstrating its enduring impact on urban design and development.

See also:
https://www.gardenvisit.com/book/history_of_garden_design_and_gardening/chapter_3_european_gardens_(500ad-1850)/karlsruhe_garden_design