Evening star., 1932-01-09
BUILDING DESIGN
CONTROL ADVANCED
Arts Commission Work Here
Cited as Good Example
of 1891 Gains.

Gains in architectural control were
made by the United States in 1881,
the outstanding example being that
exercised in the District of Columbia
by the National Commission of Fine
Arts, it is declared in a report to the
American Institute of Architects by
Charles H. Cheney Of Los Angeles,
chairman Of the institute Committee
on City and Regional Planning
Washington points the way to what
must be done in all American cities to
insure reasonable decency of design,
@11r Cheney asserts, in referring to
the operation here of the ShipStead
act which gives the Fine Arts body
power of approving plans for private
structures to be erected near Govern
ment buildings or reservations here,
before building permits can be issued.
with only 10 per cent of the build
fngS on the average in our cities de-
signed by architects or others with
any training" he adds, I'VE shall con-
tinue to be smothered and deprecated
by ugly off-color structures until we
set up in each city an architectural
board with power to pass on plans
before the structures are erected. The
public has just as much right to be
protected from the builder who is
careless in design and color as from
the one who erects weak or unsafe
structure"
Notable Advance Cited.
The most notable planning advance
OF the year, Mr.. Cheney says, is found
in the regional plans adopted for the
New York and Philadelphia districts
after several years of study. West
chester County N Y, is said to
present "the most remarkably finished
and most beautiful parks and park
ways developed during the year. the
work in WeStchester is characterized
as "one of the notable achievements
In America"
Cincinnati is singled out for praise in
city planning, the report saying that
"few places in the country can show as
well organized and consistent city. plan
ming progress as that of Cincinnati,
and the surrounding Hamilton County"
Never, as in 1881, has practical
planning been of such conspicuous use
to the United States" Mr.. Cheney de-
clares. Fortunate indeed was the city,
county or region of the United States
which had its master plan far enough
completed to be used as guide for the
millions of dollars of public funds now
being hastily expended by public bodies
for relief during the depression.
For unemployment must be met, and
sound municipal policy should encour-
age public works at such a time. 1T is
10 the credit of the country that so large
a proportion of the bond issues and
money spent during the past year and
to be spent in the coming year will
conform to well-thought-out and COM
prehensive city and regional plans.
Planners Interest Grows.
"Of great significance also to the
country is the increasing interest on the
part Of city planners generally in good
architecture. Planning boards are at
last beginning to take steps to conserve
existing monuments and examples of
fine buildings, both public and private.
Architectural control is slowly but sure
ly gaining attention"
Over a hundred new cities towns, or
villages are listed as having adopted
partial or complete coming ordinances
during the past year. Piecemeal zoning
by counties-that is, establishment of
limited building use zones in the parts
of the county desiring its reported
from a number of States, particularly
from California, where every county is
now required by law to have a county
planning board
Most Of these coming ordinances,
AIOWCfCI' arc Sdl1CO very loose dI1dUS.
Only about Is or 20 per cent of them
have been drawn with the help of
trained city planner.
Zoning Is Advanced.
Over 1000 cities, towns and villages
are now zoned, not counting the many
county zone ordinances put in effect or
pending. Thus billions Of dollars OF
property values are now at least par
tally safeguarded,' it is pointed out.
Important planning legislation was
adopted in many States. DEVELOPMENT
OF civic centers made progress, particu-
larly in st. Paul, Cleveland and San
Antonio.
During 1881 study of the individuality
OF cities was made by the City and Re
gional Planning Committee of the
American Institute of Architects, with
the aid of national advisory group
There is an individuality in some
cities which extraordinarily charms
us" says a summary of the findings.
I'm others, unfortunately far more nu-
merous, there is a character that bores
or repels us. Practically always, where
this individuality shows any degree
OF perfection, where it Is attractive and
stimulating, it is the work of some
master architect or succession of ar
chitects, and consciously wrought"
The problem of individuality, charm
and character in cities Is architectural,
and can only be solved by master ar
chitects, the report continues.
Steel ties have been laid recently ON