SIGURD F. OLSON 145 



graphically what a high standard of living has done, what metropoli- 

 tan services mean in terms of natural resources use, the attendant 

 results in terms of air and water pollution, energy consumption, flood 

 control, the use of the land itself and its ultimate removal from any 

 use but that of real estate. It is in this respect particularly that I 

 would like to supplement some of his ideas. 



He states, "We will need more acres of open space within easy 

 reach . . . totally new concepts of recreation . . . active programs 

 for some, contemplative opportunities for many, and glimpses of 

 beauty for all." 



I could not agree more wholeheartedly, and I challenge anyone to 

 contest the importance of these objectives. The great question, how- 

 ever, is how to reach them. 



Dr. Gulick says further that ultimately urbanization will make 

 possible the true conservation of the land. This is entirely possible, 

 but with the type of uncontrolled and unplanned development now 

 going on, it is highly improbable. We might come near to realizing 

 the possibilities if we could regulate the nature and character of the 

 extension of cities; if we could confine the growth within reasonable 

 limits. But until we do, urbanization in its present form is a threat 

 not only to our economy but to our physical and spiritual welfare. 

 In the interim aU we can hope for is to sandbag the flood wherever 

 we can, hoping that eventually the high waters will subside of their 

 own accord. 



The inference that population growth will eventually be controlled 

 by the attainment of an even higher material standard of living than 

 we now enjoy, and a higher cultural level, and that through them 

 population pressures may be brought into a far better ecological bal- 

 ance than most Malthusian predictions postulate, also seems doubt- 

 ful to me. Certainly there is no sign in the postwar generation that 

 a high standard of living is inducing social, political, and fundamen- 

 tal cultural attitudes that will bring about a better ecological adjust- 

 ment. 



Inasmuch as the dream of most urban dwellers is to get into the 

 country, and industrial developments are moving out as well, this 

 trend is bound to continue. The urge behind all of this is not new to 

 Americans. We are a people who, until recently, lived close to the 



