Science in Public Affairs 



THE HAPHAZARD UNSCIENTIFIC GROWTH 

 OF TOWNS 



"We all know," writes Mr. T. C. Horsfall, "that 

 our larger towns have been built at haphazard, and 

 are still growing at haphazard ; that no plan exists 

 to ensure that, if a street is narrow it shall lead 

 into a wider street, and that wider street into a 

 street planted with trees, and to ensure that, within 

 easy reach of every group of dwellings, there 

 shall be a playground or some other open space. 

 We all know that in the suburbs, on the fringes 

 of all our towns, new narrow streets of small 

 houses in which semi-slum conditions will soon 

 prevail are springing up unchecked, which in- 

 crease (by new large areas of ugly crowded build- 

 ings) the long distances which already cut off the 

 inhabitants of the central districts from beautiful 

 vegetation and fresh, clean air." 



The haphazard unscientific extension of towns 

 has taken from the people many of their oppor- 

 tunities of enjoying beauty. The loss is one not 

 easily compensated, and attempts to estimate " moral 

 damage," as well as material, has met with some 

 scorn. But deficiency in national character means 

 deficiency in common wealth, and ignorance of 

 country pleasures and the absence of the enjoy- 

 ments which come from relation to Nature and 

 knowledge of her ways, must take strength from 

 character. The health, the vigour, and the alert- 

 ness which wholesome recreation in the fresh air 



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