How was the design of Canberra chosen?

The design of Canberra, Australia's capital city, was chosen through an international design competition held in 1911. The competition attracted 137 entries from around the world and was judged by a panel of experts including architects, town planners, and engineers.

The winning design, titled "Capital Federal," was submitted by the Chicago-based architectural firm of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. The Griffins' design proposed a city with a central axis, known as the "Federal Mall," which would be flanked by government buildings and formal gardens. The city would be surrounded by a series of concentric circles, representing the different functional zones of the city, such as residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

The Griffins' design was chosen for its innovative and visionary approach to city planning. It was seen as a radical departure from the traditional grid-based layouts of most Australian cities and was praised for its integration of nature and urban design. The city's layout was also seen as a symbol of Australia's independence and modernity, reflecting the country's desire to create a new and forward-looking capital city.

The Griffins' design for Canberra has had a profound impact on the development of the city and has shaped its unique character. The city's central axis, known as the "Parliamentary Triangle," is home to the Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, and the National Library of Australia. The city's concentric circles have also influenced the development of Canberra's suburbs and have helped to create a sense of order and coherence in the city's layout.

Canberra is now widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and well-designed capital cities in the world. Its unique design has been recognized and celebrated both nationally and internationally, and it stands as a testament to the vision and creativity of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin.