Aesthetic Development

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 913, 5 March 1930, Page 6

Aesthetic Development

OBJECT OF TOWN-PLANNING Inauguration of Institute (By J. W. MAWSON, Director of Town-Planning.) FE immense strides made by New Zealand in townplanning. in recent years is strikingly illustrated by the announcement of the formation of a Town-Planning Institute for the Dominion on similar lines to those already established in England, Canada and the United States of America.

The inaugural meeting is to be held in the Dominion Farmers’ Building, Wellington, on February 27, when the chair will be taken and an address delivered by the Hon. P. A. de la Ferrelle, Minister of Interrial Affairs, and chairman of the Town Planning Board. According to the printed constitution and rules, the institute has been formed with the following objects: To advance the study of town planning and kindred subjects and of arts and sciences, as applied to those subjects; to promote the aesthetic and scientific development of cities, boroughs, towns, and suburbs, and other building land; to promote the association and general interests of persons engaged or interested in the practice of town planning; to establish and maintain, or to promote the establishment and maintenance, of adequate professional standards (theoretical, practical, and ethical) among persons engaged in the practice of town planning; to undertake and promote the teaching of subjects relating to [ town planning; to form and maintain a library and collection of books, papers, maps, drawings, designs, and other writings and objects connected with town planning; to issue or promote or assist in the issue of books, pamphlets, periodicals, and other documents relating to town planning. Perhaps the most interesting feature about the new institute is that is has been formed through the cooperation of the three established professional bodies most intimately concerned with the constructive side of town planning—namely, the Institute of Architects, the Institute of Surveyors, and the Society of Civil Engineers, and nothing could have been conceived which would inspire greater public confidence in the value of the services which the institute will be able to render to the community, or give a better idea of the scope of its activities and the breadth of the basis on which town planning as a profession stands, than the implied admission on the part of the.- 3 professional bodies that the practice of town planning calls for something more than a specialised knowledge in architecture, surveying, or civil engineering. Another point worthy of special comment is that corporate membership is not to be confined to professional members only, but is open to any person interested in the principles and practice of town planning. The wisdom of this step is selfevident, for however valuable the services which can be rendered by those who possess' technical knowledge of the subject, town planning, rightly understood, is a job for the whole community. The keynote of the work of the

new institute will be education, not only in its academic sense, but by the regular dissemination of information on town planning matters throughout the country. To this end it is intended to establish in Wellington a. library and reading room, and to publish a regular monthly journal which will be sent free to all subscribing members, and sold to the general public through the bookselling agencies. Those who are familiar with the work of the English Institute, and the status and prestige it enjoys in national and municipal affairs, will be able to appreciate the great possibilities of the New Zealand Institute as an instrument for the education and organisation of public opinion, and as a driving force in all matters relating to the improvement of the living and working conditions of the people of this country. The headquarters of the institute will be in 'Wellington, but provision has been made for the establishment of local branches in the principal centres, and it is hoped that the numerous local town planning associations, beautifying and amenities soeieties, will see the wisdom of becoming affiliated with or merging their identity with these local branches and the parent institution.