New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-12
What The Real Estate Man
Gains From City Planning

away In large measure with expen-
sive cuts and fills, and it preserves the
value and STABILITY of the abutting
lots through keeping them near street
grade. Finally, not only is the cost OF
tract development reduced, but there
will come a reduction also in the cost
of maintenance. On all except main
traffic arteries there will be less pave
ment, not merely to construct, but to
keep in repair and to clean. Take, for
instance, simply the matter of sprink-
ling. If cart waters satisfactorily q
pavement "a feet wide the making OF
a pavement one-half, or possibly only
one-quarter, as wide again. may mean
the doubling of expense, because the
cart must make two trips instead OF
one.
Do not think that wise real estate
operators can secure all these results
as well without city planning as with
il. In isolated cases they have doubt
less done so, when owning or control
ling very large tracts. And even then
with peril, owing to the uncertainty as
to what may be done on adjoining de-
velopments. But irresponsible develop
ing. in which every one does as he
pleases with his own tract, and IN
which each tract is treated as sep
arate unit without centralized con-
troll or general plan, is too fraught
with public danger to be condition
which our cities can suffer 10 continue.
The day for that is very swiftly pass
ing-in most cities has already passed.
There remains fourth consideration,
which has sufficient Importance to JUS
tify real estate interests in welcoming
city planning eagerly, as friend and
steady"
This is the fact that city planning
must promote the STABILITY OF lots.
People will be more ready to buy.
There are several reasons for this be-
lief. The fact that the permanent char
acter of lots environment is practi-
cally assured, guaranteed by the city
plan. to such extent that the element
of risk on the purchasers part Is al
most eliminated, will make people less
hesitant to buy and TO build. All lots
have the advantages which now apper-
tain to those in restricted neighoor-
hoods. with the added merit that the
restriction will not be for short term
and will really bind. The fact that the
cost of development Will be reduced
will make it possible 70 sell lots at
lower prices, without reduction OF the
sellers profit-indeed, to its enhance
ment-by thus affording him quicker
turnover. The reduction in the cost OF
maintenance by diminishing taxes VIII
lower carrying charges, and so again
add invitation to the purchaser. The
greater attractiveness of honey, coy
Streets. or streets that follow contours
picturesauely, that seek out and pre-
serve fine views, that save great shade
trees instead of slashing through them;
the elimination of inaccessible lots,
nerched high above the street, or at
tbe foot of precipices below it-all
tbese are factors making for reader
sales. So also, and powerfully, are the
improvements in transportation facili-
ties. shortening time and distance,
which result from city plan, and the
prevention of overcrowding in the
built-up portion Of the town. Through
these means sales are sure to be facili-
tated because Of the resulting increase
in the number Of prospective pur-
chasers.
Let US, then, remember this; The
real city planner is interested not IN
designing theoretically a city, through
the use of T-square and French curve,
hut in practically and sanely fitting a
citv 10 the needs of those who live in
II He tries to make the city more
Nvable. as we'll as an easier place IN
which TO do work efficiently.
In so far as he succeeds in either or
both of these ideals he IS the real
estate mans best ally and best friend