The article substantiates the version of the origin of architecture in the process of human exploration of the wild nature, finding in it the most favorable for his life sites and feasible arrangement of them. In ancient times, people worshiped the forces of nature and did not feel themselves masters of the earth. Subsequently, extensive conquests and the creation of huge monarchist states inspired faith in the power of man. The great mono-theistic religions stimulated the affirmation of universal anthropocentric thinking. And when the New time came with his scientific discoveries and technical achievements, the man became proud. The cause of many intractable problems of modern civilization has become a consumer attitude to the resources of the Earth and its bio-sphere. The author comes to the conclusion about the need to return on a new basis to the original traditions of nature, which should change for the better the mentality of society and help to overcome the crisis phenomena in modern urban planning and architecture.