to boldly go: seeing america; imagining australia
DESCRIPTION
Paper presented at the International Planning History Conference, 2008, ChicagoTRANSCRIPT
To Boldly go: seeing America, imagining To Boldly go: seeing America, imagining AustraliaAustralia
Lise SummersLise Summers
The manThe man
Born in England, 1873. Two Born in England, 1873. Two years apprenticeship as an years apprenticeship as an engineer. Work on Forth Bridge.engineer. Work on Forth Bridge.
Self taught shorthand-typist Self taught shorthand-typist c.1890.c.1890.
Moved to WA in 1896 Moved to WA in 1896 Town Clerk December 1900 - Town Clerk December 1900 -
19441944 Methodist. Organist at Wesley Methodist. Organist at Wesley
Church and later St Aidan’s.Church and later St Aidan’s. Foundation member of WA Foundation member of WA
Town Planning InstituteTown Planning Institute RotarianRotarian J.P.J.P.
The timeThe time
Federation 1901 - ideas for capital cities e.g. Washington Federation 1901 - ideas for capital cities e.g. Washington Endowment Lands 1902Endowment Lands 1902 Greater Perth Scheme 1909 - 1911.Greater Perth Scheme 1909 - 1911. Plans for the city of Perth 1911 - Poole, Hardwick and BoldPlans for the city of Perth 1911 - Poole, Hardwick and Bold 1913 - proposal for town planning legislation1913 - proposal for town planning legislation
The missionThe mission
Perth from King’s Park, 1909 - John Campbell
To seek out models, plans and ideas for a capital cityTo seek out models, plans and ideas for a capital city
The tourThe tour
Council votes Bold six months leave of absence Council votes Bold six months leave of absence and £150.and £150.
Some controversy - is it legal, is it a waste of time? Some controversy - is it legal, is it a waste of time? But generally approved of in the wider communityBut generally approved of in the wider community
Bold has contacts with Garden City Association in Bold has contacts with Garden City Association in England and arranges to go to first Health and England and arranges to go to first Health and Town Planning conference.Town Planning conference.
Also visits Scotland and meets with Patrick Also visits Scotland and meets with Patrick Geddes.Geddes.
Plans to visit Cologne, etc, but martial law Plans to visit Cologne, etc, but martial law declared a week previous to departure and war declared a week previous to departure and war the day of departure.the day of departure.
The tourThe tour
Bold to AmericaBold to America Visits Boston, San Francisco, Kansas, Denver, Visits Boston, San Francisco, Kansas, Denver,
New YorkNew York Arrives home in late October 1914, just in time for Arrives home in late October 1914, just in time for
Charles Reade lectures on town planning, Charles Reade lectures on town planning, arranged with Garden Cities Association before arranged with Garden Cities Association before his departure at beginning of year.his departure at beginning of year.
Presents report to Council.Presents report to Council. 500 copies printed by Council500 copies printed by Council
The reportThe report“a splendid contribution to literature on Municipal matters…”
The reportThe report
Prepared in ‘Subject Form’ An overarching City Plan - ‘the keystone of the arch of
successful municipal effort’. Washington DC the best model.
Town Planning legislation Block and height control for buildings - New York Control over city and suburbs Parks and recreation grounds - Chicago, especially
Jackson Park Equal distribution of parks - Boston and Kansas
The resultThe result
First Town Planning Bill - fails to pass through First Town Planning Bill - fails to pass through Parliament.Parliament.
Perth Endowment Lands Act 1916Perth Endowment Lands Act 1916 Greater Perth - Leederville, North Perth, Victoria Greater Perth - Leederville, North Perth, Victoria
Park. Subiaco and South Perth refrain.Park. Subiaco and South Perth refrain. Development of City Beach and Floreat along Development of City Beach and Floreat along
Garden City linesGarden City lines Civic Centre proposals Civic Centre proposals Town Planning AssociationTown Planning Association Foreshore developmentForeshore development
The resultThe result
Bold report on Town Planning Commission report for City Bold report on Town Planning Commission report for City of Perth 1931 - key recommendation a basic city plan for of Perth 1931 - key recommendation a basic city plan for the assessment of future developments. Also a Town the assessment of future developments. Also a Town Planning Commission with local Government Planning Commission with local Government representation, zoning, and a new park systemrepresentation, zoning, and a new park system
Bold offered life membership of WA Town Planning Bold offered life membership of WA Town Planning Association November 1931Association November 1931
1937 - Bold lectures and articles - 30% of Perth as open 1937 - Bold lectures and articles - 30% of Perth as open space and reservesspace and reserves
Recent developmentsRecent developments
1955 - Stephenson Hepburn Plan1955 - Stephenson Hepburn Plan 1960s - Perth City Council Development1960s - Perth City Council Development 1990s - Greater Perth broken up1990s - Greater Perth broken up Foreshore plans - East Perth Foreshore plans - East Perth
Redevelopment AuthorityRedevelopment Authority