The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-22

tain limited physical improvements for the
city of Birmingham along the lines of our
conservations, that is that whatever be
done be not the result of passing demand
or temporary sentiment. action haphazaFd-
or hasty but rather something along
broadly conceived comprehensive, scien-
tific and permanently beneficial lines, may
| say that the consideration of lands OF
physical city planning can be classed un-
der the three broad headings-frst, lands
for circulation, transportation and COM
munieation; second, lands for all other
public purposes; third, the remaining OF
private lands not used for public pur-
poses.
"Of the many important subjects under
the first heading 1 should suggest eonsid-
GRAFTON of proper provision for main thor-
oughfare highways of vehicular and Pc
destrian pleasure traffic: under the sec
ond heading, comprehensive park sys-
tenn; under the third, SO much as can
reasonably be effected by that selected
from the former two. These considera-
tions should not be limited to Birming-
ham proper, but rather to the great
metropolitan future Birmingham as CITY
and suburbs that is within the reason
able conception of the human mind.
ITO those informed on the general sub
ject, whose activities have brought them
N~--~~
who have had experience with success
fully planning improvements locally ana
elsewhere, 1t is obvious that many things
can be outlined in a preliminary way,
without detailed analysis of all conditions,
that are reasonably sure OF attainment,
acceptable to local customs and machinery
and of extreme value for the guidance of
immediate and eventual improvements to
the community. Such an outline Is es-
sentially preliminary and somewhat sub
ject to change as thorough investigations
unfold new lights on conditions to be met,
but rather than have a purpose so in
definite and intangible as to confuse the
public and private interests willing to
cooperate, 1t seems to mo that the work
should be set down in advance as fol-
lows:
There should be three logical stages;
first an analysis of conditions: second, a
definition OF purpose or planning of
physical objective to be obtained; third,
an outline Of campaign for,execution.
Analysis of Condition
The objective would be the collection of
maps and records bearing on character OF
vacant lands and improved lands and of
buildings, value of lands, topography,
soils and subsoils, drainage systems, san
itaton system, tree growth, shrub growth,
distant Views, ETC., street widths, street
pavements, street fixtures, dead end
streets, possibilities OF widening streets.
pedestrian and vehlcular traffic. distribu-
tion of population and of different races,
distribution of public and semi-public
buildings, centers for different uses, dis
tribution of all existing public lands used
for public and semi-publc, purposes and
tendencies These maps and records
would be for compilation, study and de-
ductions under varied classifications.
1.-The method of procedure should be by
organization of available agencies; first,
composing a staff as follows: The park
commission co-ordinating with a landscape
architect, his assistants and few select
ed citizens willing to contribute their SER
vices; second composing a line as follows:
Interested and informed citizens. real es-
tate owners and dealers, societies or or
ganizations such as churches, schools,
athletic clubs, labor unions, Chamber of
Commerce. etc, corporations city Of
ficials and employees of the government,
according to how far their cooperation
might be enlisted in a private way or be
desired.
'In connection with the staff it might be
necessary from time to time to consult
an expert on engineering, in case, for
instance, of a serious problem of prevent
ing pollution of a drainage course or of the
feasibility of tunnel or bridges, ETC.;
and again in the matter of the building of
a civic center, an architect should be en-
pIoyed Suitable quarters should be Sc
cured for landscape architect and his as-'
sistants, with two small offices and
draughting room, either in private por-