The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1920-02-25

were made on the subject by Fro1.
Arthur F. Southwick of the College.
and Mr.. V. J. Hultquist, city manager
of Alcoa. Ludwig Pflanze was chair
man and arranged the program. Par
son Carson, Charley Roberts and
George Selig of the Knoxville club
were present and made talks.
Maryville should begin to consider
the planning of her development, end
the addresses were so suggestive that
The Times published them in full.
In his address Mr.. Southwick said;
This is the day of City Planning.
The outstanding fact of the present
census will be the further concentra-
tion of population in cities. From
the growth of other cities of the
country it is not difficult to ascertain
what city with the possibilities of
Maryville may expect. The 1910
census showed Oklahoma City, Okla,
to have had during the ten years,
prior, the remarkable growth of
540Re, Birmingham, Ala, 2459o, Los
Angeles, CAL, 211%o. During the past
nine years the city of Akron, Ohio, a
city that has not had any special
characteristics in it's favor has in
creased it's population from 70 to ITO
thousand. In other words in years
it has more than doubled it's popula-
tion. Considering these increases
which have been not merely local but
general, it is not unreasonable to
think of Maryville having a popula-
tion of 100000 in this generation.
This mushroom growth Of cities
has brought the many problems with
which most cities are struggling to-
day. Narrow streets, congested
housing, inadequate transportation,
insufficient recreation and park areas,
dangerous crossings, dark and un-
sanitary alleys and backyards and it's
toll of poverty, crime, disease and
death.
1t is unfortunate that many people
have the impression that the city
planning is only to make the city
beautiful, to build fine statues to
s4qdorn the public squares, to construct
artistic avenues and boulevards, to
prevent congestion, to eliminate side
walk distractions, to forestall un
slightly buildings, city planning goes
beyond this. City planning aims con
sciously to provide the facilities that
are for the common good, that con-
Germs everybody. 1t seeks to prevent
waste by doing things at the right
time and in the right way.
City Planning proceeds on the
theory that development is going to
come and since it does come it might
just as we'll proceed along the best
lines possible.
The chief end of city planning is
even beyond that. 1t is the develop
ment of city spirit, a city individu
ality, and this individuality becomes
one of the city's best drawing cards.
If any city should have distinct
individuality it is Maryville. The
medium climate throughout the year
between the vigorous cold of the
north and the oppressive heat of the
south, the mountain scenery and the
fact that this is college town should
separate it from and elevate it above
other cities. These influential fact
ors should find expression in a city
plan and a city life distinctly its own. |
have said that certain things are
indispensable to city-streets, pub
lie utilities, schools, churches, some
parks and that with the increase of
population they come. Orderly if
directed, if not directed haphazardly.
Take for instance, the school system,
Maryville people are generously con-
scious of the fact that this city is
bound to grow, and by study Of the
topography, the first step in city
planning, the direction of that growth
can be determined. Should it not be
the policy of economy and efficiency
to map out in advance the system of
school grounds and take whatever
steps are necessary to lay claim to
those land areas required before it is
too late or before the land values rise
so that it would be much more ex-
pensive than at present. Lack Oh
foresight in the school system of
growing city is q, very costly PROPOSE
tion.
May / suggest another phase of the
school question-the city high |
schools? The city high school in
very definite sense holds within it
four walls the civic. and industrial
possibilities Of the city. II trains the
rising generation and thereby builds |
today the Maryvllle Of tomorrow.
Vocational training now has its place
in the high school curriculum Of
every industrial city 1t is one Of the
Of things which must be co-ordiHa |
ted with other phases Of the city's