Evening star., 1934-09-18
D. c. HELDLAC
IN CITY PLANNING
John NoIen, Jr., Returning
From Abroad, Finds For
eign Cities Far Ahead.

IN view Of the development OF
London and Paris, the American Gov
eminent is not planning too elabor-
ately an expansion of Washington,
John Nolen, jr., director of planning
Of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, told The Star
today, after his return from a five
weeks trip to Europe.
Making the trip in a private capa-
city, Mr.. Nolen gathered valuable in
formation on housing and city plan
ming. through contacts made for him
by the State Department here. He
sees an opportunity in Washington
to do something similar to what
Is beng done in England and Ger
many in eradication of slum areas and
erection of low cost housing. When
the commission meets next week on
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Mr..
Nolen will lay before it report Of
his observations, together with num-
Der Of maps and reports secured in
Europe.
Calls on officials.
He made calls on municipal off,
cials in London. Germany and Paris,
particularly with reference to houS-
ing and the general conduct of plan
ming work and found that the United
States is about 25 years behind.
Mr.. Nolen paid particular attention
10 public sports centers, baths, stadium
development and athletic fields.
We're about 25 years behind in
respect to what they are doing in
Europe in planning and housing"
asserted the commissions director of
planning. Il was very favorably i'm
pressed with what the Europeans
have done. They have held very
strictly to what they set out to do.
In housing, they have emphasized
light, air, cleanliness and recreational
facilities. I saw small play yards
next to the old slum area in London
II saw sports center in Frank
furt, in Germany. that is an inspira-
ton for our stadium here, projected
at the end of East Capitol street"
Mr.. Nolen visited two capital
cities-London and Paris.
After inspecting these two capi-
tails I can say that We are not plan
ming too elaborately in Washington
by any means" he declared I'VE
are doing it in the American style
and quite simply here. What the
Europeans have accomplished over
long period we are attempting to do
in a comparatively short time in
Washington"
Solving Slum Problem.
In London they have definitely at
tackled the slum problem, gone in and
cleared them, replanted the area,
widened streets where that was neces-
sary and obtained housing and rents
commensurate with the income of
the people who wished to be housed.
said Mr. Nolen In London, Holland
and Germany this work is done either
by public utility" societies which are
similar to our limited dividend COM
panies, or directly by the local gov
ernment with financial aid, or plan
ming furnished by the national or
state government, he explained.
Where the authority in London to
undertake the project comes from
Parliament. these plans must receive
the approval Of the national govern
nent, which gives legislative authority
and employs its credit in some way or
other, said Mr.. Nolen. The local gov
ernment initiates the project and
brings the plans through to compile
tion.
In Europe. when there is a lack of
interest on the part of local groups or
because the problem is too difficult,
the municipality steps in, said Mr..
Nolen. He made it clear that all these
developments are non-competitive for
the existing private building opera
tions, because they furnish housing to
a class of people not furnished hous-
Ing by private construction.