Who designed the cities of Charleston in South Carolina and Savannah in Georgia?

James Oglethorpe is recognized as the designer of both Charleston in South Carolina and Savannah in Georgia. He was a British general and philanthropist who played a significant role in the founding of the Georgia colony. Oglethorpe envisioned Savannah as a "model city" with a distinct grid layout that included parks and public squares to promote social interaction and community well-being. This design approach was reflective of Enlightenment ideals, emphasizing rational urban planning.

Charleston, while often attributed to other influences and developments over time, had considerable early influence from Oglethorpe’s planning concepts that shaped the broader approach to town development in the southern colonies. His ideas about order, community engagement, and strategic placement of public spaces were crucial in defining these cities' early growth, embedding a vision of urban living that would resonate through American urban planning history.

The other choices, while significant figures in American history, did not have a direct role in the design of these specific cities. Thomas Jefferson is known for his contributions to architecture and his role as a founding father but is not specifically tied to the design of Charleston or Savannah. William Penn is recognized for founding Philadelphia with a grid layout but has no direct connection to these southern cities. George Washington had many contributions but was not