TOWN PLANNING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 82, 4 October 1938, Page 5

TOWN PLANNING

MEXICO CONFERENCE

N.Z. DELEGATE RETURNS

Important discussions under, the heading of housing in tropical'countries, underground planning—significant at the present time —world housing conditions, the use of leisure, and the educational side of town planning were discussed at the International Town Planning and Housing Congress held during August at Mexico City, stated Mr. A. G. Harper, local government officer, Internal Affairs Department, who has just returned from representing New Zealand at the conference. Mr. Harper said that although the conference had been most helpful and successful, until the publication of his official report he was not in a position to discuss its deliberations.

During his trip, Mr. Harper had an opportunity of visiting both New York and Washington, where he spent several days in studying the large-scale housing project at present being undertaken by the United States Government. Mr. Harper said that the American housing schemes were on an extremely large scale and, in many cases, whole new cities were being created. An example of this was at Green Belt, about twenty miles from Washington, where a new garden city had been established. The housing problem in the United States was very acute and sweeping means were being adopted to deal with it.

Mr. Harper said that he had also been most impressed by the housing work being carried out by the Mexican Government. Mexico's problem in regard to housing was very different from that of New Zealand, for in the more remote areas it had first to educate many of its people as to the proper use and purpose of houses. Mexico catered very lavishly for the j recreational requirements of its people and every town and city of any size was splendidly endowed with parks and playing areas. COLOURFUL COUNTRY. Mexico was a most interesting and colourful country, and contrary to the popular conception of it, the dangers of political unrest were nowhere evident. It had its political troubles, of course, like other countries, but they did not intrude themselves upon visitors. Americans were taking a very keen interest in Mexico and were largely fostering the tourist business. Unfortunately there was evidence, in some of the quaint little towns, that the tourist influence was not proving beneficial to the people. Mexico was literally a land of contrasts. The modern towns Had beautiful buildings, were well laid out, and were up to date in every respect, but the primitive parts of the country were extremely backward. The modern Mexican dressed the part, but the primitive Mexican still adhered to the attire that had characterised the people for generations. All kinds of mechanical transport were available, but in many parts of the country the donkey or burro was still the surest and safest means of transporting goods. Many of the remote villages, even today, could be reached only by pack trains. The philosophy of the primitive Mexican was very simple. It was embraced by the necessity of producing his immediate needs. The modern Mexican, on the other hand, was concerned to bring his country to the same standards of living as were enjoyed by progressive countries abroad. Those who were interested in this movement were working mainly through the channels of education and as evidence of their work many fine schools and educational institutions had been established.

Mr. Harper said that approximately 400 delegates from all parts of the world had attended the conference. Unfortunately the troubled conditions in Europe had prevented many of the Central European countries from being represented. The conference had been held in the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City, probably one of the finest buildings in the world. He had had, the opportunity of addressing the delegates on several occasions, and was able to tell them many things about New Zealand in which they appeared to be particularly interested. > He found that the Dominion's accomplishments in the direction of town planning and use of leisure, among other things, were well and widely known abroad.

Mr. E. J. Fawcett, of the Agriculture Department, left Wellington for the north by the limited express? yesterrfay* ■ - i