FOR A BETTER CITY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 88, 13 April 1923, Page 5

FOR A BETTER CITY

ARCHITECTS' PROPOSALS

SUGGESTIONS TO LOCAL BODIES.

An interesting circular letter, addressed to all candidates for office on local bodies in Greater Wellington, has been issued by the Wellington district branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. It states that the signatories, haying in view the importance of the Capital City and the extent of its development in the future both as a ■great overseas port and the geographical centre of the Domjsion, wish to point out to the electors and the candidates for membership of local bodies the urgent need for a sustained progressive and well ordered policy for future civic development to be put into force, and also desire to point out that the development -of the city as a whole must be considered rather than the measures clamoured for by the more closely populated localities'. The City of Wellington has, in some respects, difficulties to be overcome, owing to its situation amongst steep-graded hills, which are met with in few modern cities, the letter proceeds. To overcome these, better provision needs to be made, as much of the legislation affecting roading and subdivision of land is quite inapplicable to the nature of its site. The .enormous cost of development under these conditions could be largely decreased. It is of paramount importance that by the enactment of legislation and, bylaws such decrease should be made before any further development and heavy I expenditure are undertaken. PROPOSALS FOR A POLICY. To aid in the attainment of thi3 goal, we strongly urge that the following matters of policy be adopted by incoming local bodies and put into effect :-— 1. A proper topographical survey of the whole of Greater Wellington and suburbs to be made. 2 A plan for the future development of Greater Wellington and suburbs to be prepared based on the above Gurvey. Such plan to provide for ! the city's 'estimated population at least 50 years ahead. j 3. Amending legislation and bylaws to ' be obtained or introduced, making it possible to secure full efficiency at the minimum cost for the future civic development.' | i. That strong- legislation, if needed, be obtained to ensure that the civio . •- authorities may have power to pre- [ vent any impeding; or departure j from the plan of civic development above suggested. 5. That the' existing bylaws of the city be revised to lessen, without loss of strength or efficiency, the cost of building; that certain bylaws affectj ing ,-hygiene t>» amended to improve I existing conditions to She avoidance of slum areas; that certain other [ over-restrictive bylaws to similar I effect be amended likewise. None of these amendments would involve increasing- the housing costs, and some would lessen them. HAPHAZARD METHODS SHOULD END. It is considered by us that the time has arrived when a period should be put to the haphazard and costly development, of the past—some of it dictated by vested interests and much of it the result of progressive parochialism—all of it without full attention to present efficiency and future. needs. A . great deal of this past policy 'is responsible likewise for that general want of beauty and_ fitness so lacking in 'our .city undertakings as compared with other centres. We have a city endowed by' Nature with surroundings of -great, beauty—can we not bring.its civic development, difficult though it be, into greater harmony with them? . • - .■• • There are in Wellington three bodies of men, who by their technical training and knowledge and their experience of the difficulties at present' existing are well qualified to advise on the necessary measures for improvement. We refer to the local branches of the Institute of Architects, the Surveyors' In-j atitute, the Institute of Civil Engineers. \ It is clear that these bodies cannot render the service to the community which we are sure they are able and willing to render unless they are taken into the confidence of city councils and other governing bodies and afforded the opportunity. It is to be hoped that the candidates elected will be men of broad outlook who can see the imperative necessity of proceeding with a definite scheme of development, and will bring sound, business sense to guide the local authorities in carrying out the work for the service of the citizens and the adornment of the city. The circular is signed by W. M. Page, P. H. Graham, A. James, F. de J Clere, E. H. de J. Clere, L. E. Williams, C. H. Mitchell, H. T. Johns, W. J. Prouse, W. J. M'Keon, C. P. Jonesj A. N. Hamilton, E. W. Coleridge, E* R. Wells, W. G. Young, W. Turnbull F. E. Greenish, J. M. Dawson, S. W Fearn, J. Bennie, H. T. Barnes W Fielding, J. S. Swan, W. Criohton, and C- T. Natusch.