SOME MUNICIPAL ENCilNKBKING PBOBLEMH IN THK TUOl'ICS 285 



II. Streets and Open Spaces 



The proper width of the streets is one of the first problems that presents itself, 

 Under certain conditions in the Tropics it may be permissible and even desirable to 

 adopt somewhat narrow streets, but in Khartoum a liberal width has been allowed, 

 especially in the main avenues. Tlius the wind has free access to the houses, which, 

 as has been shown, is so necessary in the hot weather when "air movement" must be 

 obtained either naturally or artificially. 



The disadvantages of the wide streets are the increased cost of construction and wi<ie streets 

 maintenance, the greater area of land required, and the consequent spreading out of 

 the city. 



The following particulars of the streets in Khartoum, details of which are given in 

 Fig. 85, are taken from the Paper already referred to. 



"Victoria Avenue, the most important, is 180 feet in width and is centred on the 

 Palace, from which there is a most striking vista away to the south with the luxuriant 

 gardens in the foreground. Khedive Avenue, running at right angles, is next in 

 importance, being 150 feet wide. The Gordon Statue is at the crossing of these two 

 principal avenues. 



" The main streets are 120 feet and the secondary streets 80 feet wide over all, and 

 many of the plots in the third class or native quarter of the city have lanes 12 feet wide 

 running through them, made principally for conservancy purposes. 



"Fifteen feet of the width of all footpaths is contributed by the owners of the 

 abutting properties, who are permitted, however, to build arcades over this portion. 



"The streets and avenues are named on the following system, whicli has proved a System of 

 satisfactory one. All streets running parallel to the river are known by odd numbers, the ^nd arenuir '' 

 Embankment being ' First Street,' and all streets at right angles to the river are known by 

 even numbers, beginning at the east end of the city with ' No. 2 Street.' The principal 

 streets and avenues have special names in addition. The diagonal streets are named after 

 the more important battles fought in the country, e.g. ' Atbara Street.' 



"The sections (Fig. 86) show the types of avenues and streets. Khedive Avenue is 

 the largest type, in which the footpaths each occupy about one-third of the total width, 

 and along each footpath two rows of trees are planted. 



"The Embankment is of a similar type, but the footpath widths vary considerably 

 owing to the irregularity of building line and the river embankment where there is no 

 retaining wall or other protective work. 



"Thirteenth Street (Abbas Avenue) is the main street type with 30 feet footpaths, 

 half of which may be covered with an arcade. Seventh Street is the type in the 

 business part of the city. 



" Owing to the expense which would be involved in constructing and maintaining 

 such an enormous area of street surface, only the middle third of main avenues and 

 streets are macadamised at present. The side portions form soft 'going' for horses, 

 while the vehicular traffic takes the centre. In the business part of the town the whole 

 width is, of course, macadamised. Curb stones are laid in some of the principal avenues 

 and streets, but the footpaths are merely made up with earth, except where proprietors 

 have constructed tiled or other pavement in front of their premises. Meantime, only a 

 few of the main avenues and streets are macadamised, but the work is being pushed 

 forward as funds become available. 



