Who is recognized as the first noted urban planner, known for introducing the grid system and the agora?

Hippodamus is recognized as the first noted urban planner, primarily for his significant contributions to city planning in ancient Greece, especially regarding the grid system. He introduced the concept of street layout and organized urban spaces that facilitated better movement and social interactions among city inhabitants. His design principles emphasized the arrangement of buildings and public spaces in a systematic manner, with streets that intersected at right angles, which is characteristic of the grid system still used in modern urban planning.

Furthermore, Hippodamus is also credited with the development of the agora, which served as a public space central to the daily life of ancient Greek cities. The agora functioned as a marketplace and a hub for civic activities, embodying the idea of communal gathering and interaction, which were essential for the social and political life of the citizens.

In contrast, while figures like Plato, Thucydides, and Aristotle made significant contributions to philosophy and political thought, their direct influence on the practical aspects of urban planning and design does not match Hippodamus's pioneering role in establishing foundational concepts for urban layout and community interaction.