CITY PLANNING ON THE GRAND SCALE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 227, 19 June 1920, Page 9

CITY PLANNING ON THE GRAND SCALE

WHAT CHICAGO HAS ACHIEVED.. (Contributed by the Wellington Town • Planning Association.) Emerson says that most people must see a house built before they can cunprohond a p'an. Ten years age, when the Chicago Plan Commission submitted a comprehensive plan for the improvement of the city, critics called it' a "picture" plan and a "talk" plan, and cSissed it as nothing more than a dream of a few idealists. To-day, seeing some 'of these extensive improvements nearing ' completion, the one-time critics have become ardent supporters of the complete scheme. According to the report of ten years' work of the Plan Commission, which has just been received, twelve of the main foatures of the plan have been provided for by bonds where necessary, and in some cases are actually under construction. It. is expected that the whole of the projects will be completed within five years. That city planning is a profitable investment, both to property-owners and to the city, is clearly, ehown in the increase in property values and city revenue from the two improvements, about completed. Values in the immediate zone of one reconstructed street have increased thirty-five million dollars already, and owing to the improvement ono hundred million do'iW worth of new buildings are under construction or planned in that particular locality. From the increases in value of the two improvements referred to, the city of Chicago will receive a /revenue of over ■ three namon dollars, if assessed on the valuation of the Ml inorease. The report gora on to state that, while business and labour will be benefited by the improvements, the great purpose of the plan of Chicago is to promote happiness, comfort, and good puW.ic .health, thus directly enriching in the highest human way every man, woman, and child. Gocd homes, c'.enn. broad streets, unobstructed sunlight and fresh air, aro necessary to elevate our moral and physical standards. Chicago is a wonderful city, and llfl growth has been most dramatic. It v. as incorporated ae a village in 1831; In 1837, when it became a city, the population wag about MOO. In IM7 it was estimated at 3,000,000. Wellington will never grow to such an extent as Chicago, or miybhing like it but our city can bo as efficient, ami develop according to- as well considered n plan as any city that has adopted tho principles of town-planning. The City Engineer has seen for himself the immense benefits to bo derived from looking well ahead in. planning for future growth, and it is to be hoped that ho will be allowed to put his newly-gained experience to practical use.