Page:John Nolen--New ideals in the planning of cities.djvu/102

NEW IDEALS IN THE PLANNING OF ZONES OR BUILDING DISTRICTS

The districting or zoning of a city is, or should be, one of the three fundamental parts of every comprehensive city plan. The other two are: channels of transportation, including railroads, streets and waterways; and public open spaces, parks, playgrounds, etc. Districting is as far-reaching and important as each of the others, but it is singular in this point, that it costs the city nothing to put it into execution. The other fundamental features of a city plan are costly. The cost, I believe, is fully justified, and may actually afford a net income. But districting involves no cost other than the trifling sum needed for the study of the problem and the preparation of a plan. In fact, if the districting is wise, it will afford not only stability, but additional income to property owners, and also to the city. Such a plan for districting should be part of a comprehensive city plan, as the New York Committee has advocated. Provision for main thoroughfares and for rapid transit, the selection of land for parks, and other features of a city plan, will surely affect the districting of the city.

The action of the City of New York in approving the report of the Commission on Building Districts and Restrictions is, perhaps, the most important single step that has been taken in this country in the planning of cities. The principles which are fundamental in the Commission's plan are as follows: i. Provision for light and air is a primary essential in building regulation. 2. Building regulations in each section of the city should be adapted to the requirements of that section. 3. It is desirable, as a general rule, to treat all buildings in a given block according to a uniform rule, because there should be a substantially uniform contribution from each owner to the light and air of the block. 4, A building is usually appropriately located