The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-01-12
CITY PLANNING
OUTLINED IN
LECTURE

Brown, engineer of the National
Capital Park and Planning Com.
mission, as an attempt to define
under the term of zoning the de-
Yelopment and use of private prop.
erty and under the terms of city
planning an attempt to define and
coordinate the development of
public property for public uses.
Washington is different than
most cities, Major Brown said. in
that it had a we'll defined plan pre-
pared by L'Enfant before the city
was built. Most cities have grown
without any definite plan and the
modern work of city planning mere.
ly stabilizes existing development
and indicates a way for future
growth, expressing the most har-
monious development possible
under local conditions. Two fac.
tors which have largely contributed
to the development of city planning
throughout the country, it was
pointed out was first, the tendency
toward increase in population in
cities. and second, the development
and use of the automobile. These
conditions in many cities have had
to be met by emergency measures
such as widening of streets, and
in some instances this involved the
actual movement of improved prop,
critics.
Zoning is q means of regulating
the development Of private property
and in effect, is means of protect
ing private property. While 1t Is
only one phase of city planning yet
it is of importance TO the properly
owner because of the set up of
certain districts for certain specific
uses. Under a properly operating
coming system residential neighbor-
hoods are protected against the in
trusion of business and other me-
chanical or commercial pursuits
which by their nature detract from
the exclusiveness Which residen-
tial neighborhOod should enjoy. The
restriction as it were Of businesses
to certain we'll defined areas :onds
to stabilize not only property values
but business itself as such concen-
tration of areas inevitably influences
the movement of traffic and brings
buyers TO these restricted areas,
thereby assuring to every business
q maximum Of opportunity.
The recent development OF special
detached residential areas has
significant importance to the home
owner selecting these sections for
his home in that he can be assured
that nothing other than detached
residences will ever be permitted,
The theory of eliminating apart
ments in detached residential areas
is based on the principle that such
areas are constructed end laid out,
in respect to streets and other pub.
lie facilities for population housed
in single family units, whereas the
encroachment of apartment houses
in such areas increases population
and traffic. and curtails the availa-
bility of street and park facilities.
City planning has grown beyond
city limits and is now considered
regional planning. taking in certain
areas around the city proper. which
are really a part of the city insofar
as the city plan is concerned. These
areas, Major Brown pointed out
must be made to harmonic and de-
velopment should be co-ordinated
with the general system of high
ways and other projected plans TO"
parks, schools, fire, and police pro-
lection and all other elements that
enter into the economic and social
life Of a modern city. 1t is for this
reason that the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission has
broadened it's scope to include ada
cent counties of Maryland and Vir-
ginia. Through the cooperation OF
properly constituted authorities in
these States, Major Brown said that
the park development and system of
highways in these adjoining coun-
ties are being planned and laid out
with the thought of harmonizing
with the development of the Ma.
TONS Capital.
In commenting on major
thoroughfare plan. Major Brown
said 1.-THE objective of a major
ment of comprehensive system Of
wide. direct arteries. in which the
vital traffic flow of the community
may freely move. To develop such
a system requires an acceptance of
the principle that all streets are not
of equal importance in the CirCula.
ton scheme that some are of much
greater value to the community
than others, and that it Is advan.
tageous to select these community
routes and work consistently upon
them until they function as a sys-
tenn. This requires the adoption of
an official thoroughfare plan and
formulation of the policies required
for the effective execution of that
plan.
There is in Washington and
vicinity urgent need for the pro.
motion of the major thoroughfare
idea. If streets Of this type can
be set apart from all others in The
in ~
officials. a notable step will have
been taken toward tine creation Of
more perfect capital city
Franchises for car or bus routes
can not be discussed intelligenuiy
without a major thoroughfare plan
Traffic regulations, such as thosA
vehicles of certain classes 10
marked routes. must be related N
the major Ntforoughfare SYSTEM.
street lighting plans, traffic signals
paving specifications, school and
playground sites, location of neigh
borhood stores centers, fire ard
police stations tree-planting pei
icies, even deed restrictions IN
private property, all are dependent
upon designation of major
thoroughfares. A subdivider must
move somewhat in the dark IL T..
Goes not know where the thorough.
IHres OF the district in which he is
operating are or will be. 1t WI
De increasingly helpful to all Wash.
.nSton to have an official mai n
thoroughfare plan. Any plan !o-
streets within the District of Co.
= lunbia must be carefully related 20
the primary highway system of tie
region and to the streets and roads
in MArNl1nd and Uirerin;o