The French Town Planning Act.

Progress, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 1 December 1917, Page 82

The French Town Planning Act.

Some Recommendations to the Hon. Russell. The Auckland Civic League placed before the Hon. Mr. KasselJ last session some very interesting and important suggestions regarding Town Planning in a letter sent him while the Town Planning Act was under discussion. “We beg to put before you,” says the secretary of the league “the main features of' a town Planning Act passed by the Chambre des Deputes in May, 1915. (1) For all towns of 5,000 inhabitants and over, a plan of future extension shall be drawn determining the lay, the width, the disposition of future streets, also the number of residences to the acre, the position of squares, gardens, etc. the sewers and general sanitary system, water supply and if necessary drainage.

Composition of the Board.— We claim the presence oi professional men with technical knowledge to be absolutely mdispensible on a Town Planning Board. . Town Planning Scheme.— The principle of planmg fOl the whole of the - city is a vast and far reachhylhT n of TW ? lanum s and is amply illustrated In the , Continental towns, which present beautiful comprehensive designs of places, boulevards, avenues, etc, as compared with the English custom of planning by suburbs - We contend that by drawing now a large plan of extension for each city of New Zealand, the future developments of the towns will be assured on beautiful symmetrical lines and will save to the coming generation those costly alterations, widening of roads cutting new thoroughfares, etc, to which we have had to submit. Power of Town Planning Board.— By refusing the Town Planning Board the power to levy money, en-

force or control works the bill would avoid friction between the Board and the local authorities.

Private Rights. The Bill undoubtedly affects private rights. It should be laid down as one of its fundamental principles that individuals own land or any other natural source of wealth and beauty only as a trust, and have no right to prejudice the development of the beauty of the city for the sake of personal gain. 1

Compensation. — ln some instances, as when a man’s only section is spoiled by a road drawn through it, compensation should be necessary. Such compensations ought to be paid by the local authorities and we would suggest that a conciliation board be appointed out of the Town Planning Board to act as mediator between private owners and local authorities.

After studying the English Bill of 1909, Mr. Myers’ Bill, the South Australian and the French Bill, we have come to the conclusion that the French principle of determining at once the future extension of the city is the one that can assure at the smallest cost the greatest result and we respectfully beg that you adapt this principle to New Zealand.”