New York City – Planning the modern metropolis | Britannica

Before the creation of Greater New York, city leaders dealt with the needs of citizens less than systematically. Administrations in the 19th century created the street grid, regulated the port and immigration, provided water and sewers, authorized transportation lines, and built parks. No one pretended that Manhattan offered a picture of rational planning, but with a consolidated population of …

https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-City/Planning-the-modern-metropolis