Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-11-26
TOWN PLANNING
IN CITY OF ULM
Development Conferred on Ger
tain Points.
FUTURE is SAFEGUARDED.
The Municipality Has Found Itself In
a Real Sense and Is Creating For It.
self and For Its Inhabitants a Better
and Enlarged Community.


DR.. Ewing Pratt, who visited and de-
scribed several German municipalities
for the American City, was In Ulm
just previous to the outbreak OF the
war and has this to say about city
planning in Ulm:
The city planning. OF the larger city
building Of Ulm. is very interesting
and likewise distinctive.
At the end Of the nineteenth century
there was no space left within the
walls for the necessary expansion Of
the city. Like other German cities,
Ulm has been increasing in population.
although not at u very rapid rate. Ac-
cordingly the walls, which had been
built in 1850, were sold to the city Of
Ulm. This was in 1902. The general
plan Of development since that tine
has centered on the following main
points:
The making Of direct roads from the
gates Of the old wall to the main roads
leading to all parts Of the country.
The effecting Of proper connections
by new direct main streets with the
suburb Sofingen, which was joined to
Ulm in 1905.
The making Of main roads, n
and boulevards within the walls.
The laying out of a freight yard and
depot to the west Of Ulm and etfecting
the proper connections with the main
portion Of the city.
These four objects define the general
geography Of the city. There were,
however. in addition to this several
zones for various purposes set aside in
different sections of the city. These
were as follows:
The district between Ulm and Sofin-
gen was to be used for all kinds of
trades, small industries and houses for
the general population. In this district
houses were to be built in rows.
Two special districts, one to the east
of Sofingen and the other to the east
Of Ulm, were reserved for large indus
tries.
The suburb Of Sofingen and the land
to the northwest of it is designed for
work people, and the houses are to be
seventeen feet apart.
For still better houses the land south
Of Sofingen has been reserved. and
here the houses must be tw%enty-three
feet apart.
A high hill to the west Of Ulm has
y been reserved for villas and more ex-
pensive houses, where the intervening
distances must be thirty-three feet.
For the still Weather the hill to the
north of Ulm has been reserved, with
an intervening distance of fo%rty-seven
feet
Another section has been reserved
for recreation and sports.
Still another section. near the Dan
ube. has been set aside as a future
harbor.
Thus the city of Ulm is planned
out for years to come. and it's future
development is ~safeguarded and deter
mined.
Still another phase Of municipal pol
icy in Ulm has been the regular pur-
chases Of land for the specific purpose
Of either selling at a profit or holding
against speculative manipulation
which would quickly force up the price
of the land.
The city of Ulm today possesses
more than 80 per cent Of the freehold
land within the actual boundaries Of
the city and own in addition much
land beyond it's own borders.
In spite of the fact that the city
sells land it does SO only after attach.
ing a good strong string which will
enable the municipality to pull it back
whenever it feels so inclined. The
land solo must be built upon within a
definitely stated time. II the owner
does not do 81 or wishes to transfer
1t the city has the option Of buying it
back at the original price plus an ad.
.dition Of 3 per cent interest
The details of activities of the city
might be greatly added to. but these
facts suffice to show what the city is
doing.
In general the houses which have
been built by the city are attractive
intellectually and most conveniently
arranged. Many Of them are two fam
lily houses, and there are some rows
but the tendency is to build separate
and detached dwellings.
The little city Of Ulm, under the di
rection of Oberburgermeister Won Wag
ner, is a shining example of what
city can do and should do. The city
of Ulm has in a very real sense found
itself and is creating for itself and fol
its inhabitants a better and a bigger
city.
A Liberal Survey.
The Chicago Association Of Com
'merce has determined upon an extern