Future Vision: A Historic Look at Urban Planning in SLC

Reception

Exhibit runs Oct 2–Nov 17

ARTIST STATEMENT
Monorails and people-movers! These futuristic modes of transportation may be icons of Disney’s Tomorrowland, but they were also once part of a proposed design for Salt Lake City. Historically, the principles of successful urban planning came with the pioneers in 1847. Hundreds of planned communities founded along the Wasatch Mountains were loosely based on the plat maps for the City of Zion, originally designed by Joseph Smith in 1833 and brought west with the settlers of Salt Lake City. Early city planners employed visionary urban design which established Salt Lake City as a modern city. In the last few decades of the 19th century, SLC boasted electric lighting and electric streetcars before many larger cities had installed these technological advancements. Salt Lake City has enjoyed a rich history of community building marked by innovation and foresight. Come see the future as envisioned by urban planners from decades past — up to Salt Lake City’s new ultra-modern International Airport — and beyond. Master plans, neighborhood maps, city engineer’s reports, and other records will be on display to chronicle where we have been and what we hope to become as a vibrant, ever-evolving city.

This exhibit is produced in partnership with the Planning Division of Salt Lake City.

The reception for this event will include a screening of Back to the Future II in the Special Collections Room to look at the 1980's vision of the future for 2015.

Upcoming events