PLANNING AHEAD TO IMPROVE ROTORUA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 21, 17 September 1931, Page 3

PLANNING AHEAD TO IMPROVE ROTORUA

EXHAUSTIVE REPORT MR. TSCHOPP INTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME PRE-CONCEIVED PLAN "Since some of the innovations are rather of a revolutionary nature and eonsequently differ from the accep'ted conventional ideas and standards, it is naturally anticipated that a good * deal of controversy will arise from. various factions of the populaee." With these words, Mr. F. Tschopp, bhe landscape. architect who for some time "past has been drawing up a eomprehensive scheme for the beautification of the borough, introduces-. what is unquestionably"' one of the most eomplete and exhaustive schemes for the lay-out and improvement of an urban area, ever drafted :n New Zealand. The report inoludes a eomplete" survey of the prineiples which Mr. Tschopp considers should he adopted on general lines, a section dealing with stormwater drainage and its application in conformity with the other proposals of the scheme, another section dealing with public utilities and their relation to the general lay-out, a sub-report upon and eomplete list of the classes of trees and shrubs which it is suggested should be used "n planting the streets and reserves, recommendations for the general lay-out of suburban areas, and in regard to street illumination, lay out of parks and reserves, improvements to the native villages at Whakarewarewa and Ohinemutu and a eomprehensive scheme of zoning with recommendations for the planting of all the main streets in the borough in accordance with a definite plan. Pre-Conceived Plan The importance of each section of the report in its relation to a definite pre-conceived plan, is stressed by Mr Tschopp in the following comment which he ineludes in his introductory remarks : — "Some would like to see exotic trees of a floriferous nature dominating the streets, in preference to the more sombre effects of the' New Zealand native plants. . Others may not realise the necessity for a boulevard or avenue treatment of some of the streets. Yet another section may opp'ose the suggestions of a stormwater. r.urbinp* and ehanncfiliTio' qvo.

tem. Such differences of opinion may be justified to a certain extent, particularly when the finaneial aspects are considered. However, when taken into account that this whole scheme will gradually evolve, piece by piece, always working towards a definite pre-conceived plan, it is only. then .that any pre-judgments should be obliterated. The fast economical advantages gained by a proper utilisation of such a scheme need hardly be accentuated. Here too, the old proverb "Prevention is cheaper than cure" may be fittingly applied. Unique and Distinctive "My task has been to suggest arid recommend any new improvements and proposals wliidh -shou/id make Rotorua a town unique and distinctive, and at the same time bring some of the public utilities and facilities to the standard of a modern tourist .•esort. "The successful realisation of such a eomprehensive and far . reaching scheme can be attained only by the whole-hearted support and co-opera-tion of all sections of the community. Party politics, prejudices and conventionalism should diminish into oblivion and an earnest effort should be made to work towards the common good. It will require many years to achieve the object, but by materially and practically assisting the council and Beautifying Society, Rotorua should become a more attractive and a better town to live in. "Streets and roads constitute the most important public property in a community. .» Their monetary value is very high indeed, judged by any scale whatever. They naturally and properly should become the staring point for any improvements." continues Mr. Tschopp. Standard Units "It appears to me of primary importance that before any other street improvements are attempted, there should be a system of standard units such a park strips, footpaths, etc., which may vary on the different classes of streets, as in business sections, residential sections, on avenues and boulevards. There should be no question of doubt that such a unified system will prove its efficiency in many ways, particularly so in future years when the question arises of installing a stormwater drainage system, curbing and chancommunication conduits, and water mains, not to mention the enormous cost saved to the ratepayers when adequate provision has been made for future street widening, without Jiaving to interfere with the permanent street tree plantings." . '