RECORD OF TESTIMONY AND STATEMENTS IN RELATION TO 201 



NECESSITY FOR DISTRICTING PLAN 



authorities which emphasize and confirm what has been said in regard to 

 the relation between housing and public health. These are so voluminous 

 that it has not seemed best to attempt to include them in this memorandum. 



Statement by Frank B. Williams, Chairman, Committee on City 

 Planning, City Club, March 4, 1916 

 Preservation of residential areas 



In the districting of cities, the provisions with regard to residential 

 districts, closely related as they are to human comfort, health and life, are 

 especially important. Districting includes segregation and relation or con- 

 nection. Thus, residential districts should so far as possible be free from 

 buildings to be devoted to alien and disturbing activities ; and there should 

 be such districts within easy reach of all of the business and industrial 

 activities of the city. The entire absence of regulation in this city heretofore 

 has made this problem extremely difficult. Industry and business have 

 " affected " large areas that they have made only slight use of. The problem 

 for your commission therefore has often been to find and " save " residential 

 areas, especially in Manhattan. That this has been your point of view your 

 statements and plans would seem to indicate. It is our belief that in one 

 connection you have not applied your principle as fully as is possible and 

 highly desirable ; and it is this matter, to which we have given special atten- 

 tion, that we desire to call to your attention at this time. 



Need for protecting parks from business and industry 



The preservation of residential areas requires not only that they be 

 made secure from invasion of business and industrial interests, so far as 

 possible ; but also that in these residential areas now existing, recreation 

 parks, and elements of a similar nature, not to be replaced if lost, be main- 

 tained. This can be done only by restricting, so far as possible, to residential 

 uses the areas immediately surrounding these recreation parks. Thus, not 

 only are the parks saved; but residential areas, in parts of the city much 

 needing them, are kept suitable for residence and made permanent. 



This does not mean necessarily that we shall prohibit a certain amount 

 of business occupancy, but it must be subordinated to such an extent that 

 it will not invade and change the character of the district. 



There are very few recreation parks in Manhattan. Especially is this 

 true when we compare the number to the total residential area and also 

 to the areas given to such parks in other cities. It therefore seems all the 

 more important to preserve those which we now possess. Under the present 

 conditions the congested areas are not adequately provided for in this respect. 



The original expense of providing these various recreation centres was 

 very great. They were created for a definite purpose and need, and experi- 

 ence has shown that their usefulness to the children in a residential district 

 does not extend much beyond one-half mile diameter. The destruction of 

 the residential areas about these parks means that we destroy the actual and 

 the social value of these centers which the city has. created at considerable 

 expense. 



Business not materially benefitted by parks 



We believe that it is generally assumed that property used for business 

 and industrial purposes has a greater value than property used for any but 

 " high grade " residential purposes, and that this thought has dominated 



