TOWNPLANNING

Grey River Argus, 24 April 1937, Page 6

TOWNPLANNING

In Russia WIDESPREAD PROGRESS. A very informative lecture on plan- ' ning and rebuilding in the Soviet 1 Union of Russia was given by Mr G Stephenson at a recent session of the Leeds College of Art. “The Soviet Union is now engaged upon its second Five Year Plan,' but with the difference that now quality is as important as, quantity,” he said. “Architecturally speaking, this is a time of transition. The earlier excesses have disappeared, but there, is a searching after a new architectural expression that shall be the idea) socialistic architecture. “In this, the Stakhanovite movement is playing an important part, as it is sweeping th e building _trades, and the Architectural and Town Planning Bureaux. This, a movement from below rather than one imposed from above, will mean the industrialisation of th e building trades, and a more rational approach to the design of buildings. It implies intensive research work, coupled with a full knowledge of modern technique. The whole thing is spontaneous, and architects as well as the building trades are rationalising their own work. I think that it is a really healthy modern architectural development in place of the earlier ones such as the functionalist, the cubist, the constructivist, or I classical. | “The Soviet approach to its build-' ing and town planning problems is, from the economic, social and cultural!

aspects. Therefore, the most important buildings are factories and otlices; mouses, schools and creches; clubs and recreation centres; rest homes and sanatoria; farm buildings and the like. “In the Soviet Union, of course, town planning is not encumbered by any difficulties in dealing with private property. Therefore, there have been planned new roads, with parks and cultural centres, and big housing det velopments, and factories carefully zoned outside the towns proper, in a B way which might not always be possible elsewhere. “Wire scale planning and building is I being carried out everywhere, especially in such places at Leningrad or Moscow. The latter, the Government ’ centre, and the busiest town, is being replanned to twice its present size. The Central Planning Authorities, I such as Gipragor, are situated in Mos- ] cow, and at th e moment have over 2000 new 1 towns on the board. Generally, the replanning of old towns is . being dealt with by local Soviets. I Town planning is part of the general , economic and cultural development of ’ the country.” i i GOVERNMENT POLICY. ' ’.rhe Government has decided to an. i point Mr. J. W. Mawson to the newly s created position of Town Planning . Officer. Making the announcement (the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon, W. E. Parry) said it had been resolved not to appoint a director under the Town Planning Act for 1926. Mr. Parry said: “The Government, I looks on town planning as a means of | providing healthier and better living ’ and working conditions’ for our people. , It recognises that it is a matter peen- : I fia>rly within the province of local!

- authorities themselves. The Town ; P,aiming Act is really enabling leg'sI hition within the framework o f which I wide discretionary powers are left to the local authorities in preparing and , administering their schemes. “Mr. Mawson’s appointment implies 3 that the Government, intends to ask ij local authorities to pursue a more li active policy of town planning in the -I future, and to place at their disposal r th? best expert advice available.” Mr. (Parry said he had already stated ’ publicly that with the Government’s approval, he proposed to institute a i comprehensive survey of New Zea- ■ land with the- idea of providing data ■ on which local government could in the future wo-tk efficiently. “This is part of the Government’s local body consolidation programme,” stated Mr. Parry, “and the work is also ve : y el'osely allied to town planning a ? ’w‘-unde-rstand the term. There is a . great" -opportunity in this wonk to be of real service to local government, and to the community. A good deal of exploratory work has been done in this direction, and with the appoint-

merit of Air. Mawson it is intended that the work of carrying out this» sur vey shall be pushed ahead as speed'iv a s possible.” On the subject of legislation. the Minister said it was nor. intended that theiie should be any drasticc remodel, ling of the present legislation. “CM tain defects and omissions in the present legislation,” Mr. Parry said, “ha sent legislation.” Mr Parry said, “have been pointed. 1 out from time to time bv the Municipal Association, and 1 shall certainly take the first oppor tunity of bringing down a town plan, ning amendment Bill to remedy the-e defects and omissions. Town planning is not just a matter of passing legislation, and for this reason it is not in-l

' tended to ask Parliament to do more . than has been stated. The Govern, ment de ires t 0 see local authorities i get ahead with the real work of town planning, so that the community may benefit.” Mr. Parry said that Mr. Mawson brought to his new position a long and. varied expedience in the field of town planning, gained, in many countries throughout the world. He had considerable experience in New Zealand, both as a former director of town planning, and in private practice as an architect and town planning consultant. Some few years ago he took up permanent 'residence in New Zealand, and now re-entered the Government i service in the capacity of town plan- M ning officer.