Page:John Nolen--New ideals in the planning of cities.djvu/16

NEW IDEALS IN THE PLANNING OF manent service. There is scarcely anything in the smaller places that may not be changed. In these smaller cities, for example, railroad approaches may be set right; grade crossings eliminated; waterfronts redeemed for commerce or recreation, or both; open spaces acquired even in partly built-up sections; a satisfactory street plan can be carried out and adequate main thoroughfares established; public buildings can be grouped in an orderly way; and a park system composed of well-distributed and well-balanced public grounds can be definitely outlined for gradual and systematic development. All of these elements of a city plan, indispensable sooner or later to a progressive community, may be had in the small city with relative ease and at slight cost.

There are a number of misconceptions about the planning and replanning of cities. The first is that city planning is concerned mainly with beauty. The term which carries and gives expression to this misconception is "the city beautiful." It is of the utmost importance that this fundamental error should be corrected. Any city planning that is worthy of the name is concerned primarily with use and only incidentally with beauty. But if there is a reasonably high standard in providing the useful improvements of a town or city, it will be found that utility and beauty are virtually inseparable.

Another misconception, although not so widespread, is nevertheless important. It is that professional planning would tend to make all cities and towns alike. This is also far from the truth. Skilful planning should emphasize individuality for a city just as true education does for a child. It should unfold and perfect its natural characteristics. It should take account of a city's topography, pre-