Savannah's "Oglethorpe Plan" as the Guardian Temperament

James Oglethorpe was the city founder of Savannah, Georgia, and the masterplan designer for its downtown along the Savannah River. It is the oldest Georgian city, and one of the first American cities in the thirteen original colonies. This area is now called the Savannah Historic District, which I believe best embodies the ISFJ Guardian type.

The Guardian is protective, dependable, logistical, and law-abiding. These qualities show up in the ISFJ type in their loyalty toward the community and traditions, fostering harmony through order, and friendly conscientiousness. As a nationally protected site, preservation of the historic built environment is apparent in Savannah. However, lenses of history regarding who is honored and who is not have changed over time to reflect a commitment to social harmony. These traits are not only applicable today, but also apparent in the process and execution of James Oglethorpe's downtown district.

Savannah location relative to surrounding cities in the American South

Savannah Historic District designed by James Oglethorpe

Savannah was Oglethorpe's first design of what is now called the "Oglethorpe Plan." This plan is known for its square wards being repeated throughout the town. Each ward is composed of four residential blocks and four commercial blocks arrayed around a central square. This layout creates ordered micro-communities, cultivating a sense of space and repetition. Likewise, in true Guardian spirit, the plan was militarily advantageous as the closed-off wards created defensive barriers along the ports of the Savannah River.

Example of one ward consisting of residential and commercial buildings surrounding a central green square.

This 1818 masterplan drawing includes agrarian land zones and visualizes how wards relate to each other, creating both long and wide main streets, as well as narrow streets interrupted by ward squares

This 1734 illustration shows the boundaries of the plan created in an effort to preserve the local agriculture and natural environment.

Designing with both people and the local economy in mind, the rhythm of the square blocks as well as city growth limitations ensured walkability, equitable land allocation, and preservation of the local agrarian economy. Each settler was given 50 acres of land including one house, a five-acre garden lot, and 45 acres of farmland beyond the gardens. The aspect of this system I find appealing is that it attempts to increase class equality in terms of land ownership, however, the luxuries of this system were exclusively awarded to white settler-colonists in its early years. This blocked-off exclusivity of both people and land is an example of how the introverted, protective nature of the ISFJ can be applied with poor intentions.

Though only three wards were constructed during Oglethorpe's lifetime, future policymakers decided to continue building upon the original plan to retain its distinct homogenous form. This differs from the Idealist example of San Francisco where city sectors are distinct from one another in era, form, and personality. In San Francisco, while each neighborhood holds its own discrete identity, they all work together toward the future-facing goals of the whole city. Within the Savannah Historic District, old eras carry on into the new, protecting past decisions regarding what is right for the city -- contrary to the Idealist.

Though Savannah has developed past the boundaries of the original plan, it continuously preserves what the community deems valuable. It embraces new, though modest, activities such as Southern party scenes, contemporary art exhibits, and athletic competitions. Like the ISFJ, bridging history and modernity in the built environment is done as a means of creating an agreeable environment concerned with culture and society. Unlike the Idealist, the Guardian seeks to accomplish societal goals through order and loyalty to tradition over imagination and individuality.

As the city grew, the Oglethorpe model proved to be very adaptable in using the original urban framework to accommodate new uses and populations while still maintaining the original character of the district. The preserved colonial buildings, cobblestone streets lined with trees, local boutiques, and waterfront seafood restaurants tell a romanticized story of traditional colonial cities, Southern hospitality, and pride in the local historic scene. Likewise to ISFJ conscientiousness, history and tradition are well attended to.

Line of mixed-use buildings along the North end of Savannah. Cobblestone streets lined with trees and historical buildings are maintained, though the shops remain lively and adjust to new community interests.

Savannah has done an adequate job of maintaining the traditional character of its built environment while embracing progressive social norms to create a harmonious community. I see the benefits of preserving colonial towns, but not romanticizing them. I think loyalty to history and tradition should not necessarily entail the ideation of it. If done right, the preservation of cities with violent pasts will honor and remember victims, rather than freeze time -- this means attempting to learn from the past instead of replicating it.

Savannah in recent years has made efforts to shift the attention of the Historic District toward one of remembrance. These efforts include the recognition of the enslaved people who resided in Savannah and built the town. Green square names previously honoring colonists have been renamed, and the squares themselves have become memorials for enslaved people and their burial grounds. There are dozens of similar initiatives in Savannah advocating for the removal of any symbols honoring white settlers, and instead centering the preservation of African history and culture. In this way, the Guardian temperament is shown in how citizens today are protecting a version of history that has been long ignored.

Example of one ward consisting of residential and commercial buildings surrounding a central green square.

This 1818 masterplan drawing includes agrarian land zones and visualizes how wards relate to each other, creating both long and wide main streets, as well as narrow streets interrupted by ward squares

This 1734 illustration shows the boundaries of the plan created in an effort to preserve the local agriculture and natural environment.

Line of mixed-use buildings along the North end of Savannah. Cobblestone streets lined with trees and historical buildings are maintained, though the shops remain lively and adjust to new community interests.