Upholding Utopia: Inspiration for Designers

This paper explores an approach to planning and architecture that intertwines functions, symbols, and idealist traditions - including metaphysical and cybernetic perspectives - in parallel with the development of urban design and architecture as disciplines. In conjunction with the conception of utopia by Sir Thomas More in the fifteenth century, the concept of utopia has continued to inspire designers, particularly architects and planners. This paper proposes a longitudinal survey technique, drawing on historical evidence of utopian ideas to postulate a dialectical discussion from various scholars. The analysis is based on exploratory findings from written works. While this ideology remains central to European and American designers, colonial influences introduced a ‘modern’ inspiration that was adopted by local populations, aligning with Western life and culture, ultimately making the utopian idea a central reference in global development.