Development of the today face of Budapest between 1870 and 1900
So fast was this growth that it earned the description of an 'American
tempo'. However, Budapest resembled Chicago only in the speed of its growth.
The development was carefully planned and the effect was delightful. In 1870
the municipality set up the Council of Public Works, which elaborated a grand
master plan, and the city had the power to realize it. Everything that marked
the standards of the age could be found in the master plan: there was a system
of ring roads and boulevards, and a network of urban public transport: the
height of the buildings was set, green spaces were included, and so forth.
Though a major part of the city was built within the space of twenty years, the
result was not monotony but a harmonious uniform style.