PLACING OF HOUSING

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29325, 3 October 1960, Page 8

PLACING OF HOUSING

Centre Of City

Or Perimeter

Argument whether it was more economic or desirable to emphasise housing development on the outskirts of a city, or concentrate on high density building in the central city, did not mean that one was an alternative to the other. They were comolementary. said Professor A. J. Danks at the town-planning seminar in Christchurch. Arranged by the Adult Education Department of the University of Canterbury, the seminar was attended by representatives of the. university, social workers, churches, local authorities, and those allied with the building in. dustry. Costs were the main things to be borne in mind when this question arose. Professor Danks said Three per cent loans, group housing and the capitalisation of the family benefit meant that most of the new houses in the outlying areas were being subsidised in a systematic manner. Subsidised Transport

In most cases the new house did not represent its correct market value. These subsidies leant towards the peripheral, not central development. Then there were the extra costs of servicing areas futher out with electricity, sewerage and transport.

Taking transport as an example. Professor Danks said it was paid out of rates which meant those who lived furtherest out used the transport most, paid less rates, and were thus subsidised by the city dwellers.

He considered that any development of housing in the city area should be done on a modest scale. Research had shown that the larger a housing block the higher the maintenance costs such as caretakers, gardeners, and cleaners.

“Why not have high density housing out on the periphery?" he asked. Planned development of large scale accommodation with shopping centres and other social amenities could in the long run be the cheapest for New Zealand.