Practicable Socialism, New SeriesBarnett, S. A. (Samuel Augustus)
Religion
Practicable Socialism, New Series
Barnett, S. A. (Samuel Augustus)
Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century; Social problems; Working class
This record of what has already been done prepares the reader to read
with new interest the second article, “An Ideal--and After,” by Mr.
Raymond Unwin, who now stands at the head of “town-planners”. He shows
the great principles which have to be considered in planning town
extensions, which principles have generally been forgotten in the growth
of London suburbs. He then gives a plan of the 412 acres which lie
between the Finchley and the Great North Road, and are about to be
incorporated in the Hampstead Garden Suburb. He shows what direction the
roads should take so as to secure readiness of access to the railway
stations, and at the same time leave the Central Square with its fine
buildings dominating and giving beauty to the whole neighbourhood. He
shows also how other heights should be occupied by churches or public
buildings, and he proposes that another centre (and another will be
needed when it is remembered that the estate is nearly four miles long)
“should approximate more nearly to the Market Place or Forum, where the
main lines of traffic will meet, and to which access from all parts will
be made easy”. The articles make fascinating reading and lay hold of
that pioneer instinct which has helped to make Englishmen such good
Colonists. If the reading arouses some indignation at the lost chances
of London, the fact that Mr. Unwin, on behalf of the Trust, and the
co-partnership tenants are dealing with this great estate, in
conjunction with the Finchley District Council, gives some hope. In
years to come our children will see that the Hampstead Garden Suburb
Trust as a pioneer landlord did notable work in avoiding current
mistakes and in pointing the way for other metropolitan districts to
follow. Out of eighty-two authorities in Greater London only
twenty-seven have so far started to avail themselves of the powers of
the Housing and Town-Planning Act, and meanwhile the jerry-builder is at
large, uncontrolled, and very actively at work.
SAMUEL A. BARNETT.
THE CHURCH AND TOWN PLANNING.[1]
BY CANON BARNETT.
August, 1912.
[1] From “The Guardian”. By permission of the Editor.
Every year we are told that so many churches have been added to London.
Every year a volume is published by the Bishop of London’s Fund with
pictures of these churches--buildings of conventional character, showing
in their mean lines and sterile decoration the trail of the order to
limit their cost to £8000 or £9000. Every year we see London extending
itself in long straight ranks of small houses, where no tower or spire
suggests to men the help which comes of looking up, and no hall or
public building calls them to find strength in meeting together.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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