TOWN-PLANNING.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2005, 22 December 1921, Page 4

TOWN-PLANNING.

During his recent tour abroad the city engineer of Melbourne. (Mr H. E. Morton) managed to obey the injunction of the famous poem, and “with extensive View survey mankind from China to Peru.” In a report which he has compiled on the single subject ol town planning in English, Continental, and American towns Mr Morton does not omit reference even to Constantinople, a city of which one would expect very little study in relation at any rate to city planning. Discussing street widening and similar city improvements, Mr Morton refers to the “excess condemnation powers” of most American cities, giving the city the right to acquire the remnants of damaged property, or enough to form suitable building sites facing the new improvement and sell the property so acquired. Those cities not possessing the powers of excess condemnation might, with advantage, take a lesson from Constantinople in such matters, says Mr Morton. If that city cannot acquire from private owners property required for public use it waits for a fire. Under their law if the buildings on private property are consumed by Are the city has the right to confiscate that property for public use without payment to the owner. It is stated, but I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the V dement, that when Constantinople wants to make public Improvements where private property is needed a fire is conveniently started, and the rest is easy.