AN EVALUATION OF PERRY'S NEIGHBOURHOOD UNIT CONCEPT:

A CASE STUDY IN THE RENFREW HEIGHTS AREA OF VANCOUVER, B.C.

by

CHI-CHANG WANG

A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN THE DEPARTMENT

OF COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING

We accept t h i s t h e s i s as conforming t o the re q u i r e d standard

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA A p r i l , 1965

In p r e s e n t i n g t h i s t h e s i s i n p a r t i a l f u l f i l m e n t of the

requirements f o r an advanced degree at the U n i v e r s i t y of

B r i t i s h Columbia, I agree t h a t the L i b r a r y s h a l l make i t

f r e e l y a v a i l a b l e f o r r e f e r e n c e and study. I f u r t h e r agree t h a t

p e r m i s s i o n f o r e x t e n s i v e copying of t h i s t h e s i s f o r s c h o l a r l y

purposes may be granted by the Head of my Department or by h i s

r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s . I t i s understood t h a t copying or p u b l i c a t i o n

of t h i s t h e s i s f o r f i n a n c i a l g a i n s h a l l not be allowed without

my w r i t t e n p e r m i s s i o n .

Department of Community and Regional P l a n n i n g

The U n i v e r s i t y of B r i t i s h Columbia, Vancouver 8, Canada

Date: A p r i l , 1965.

i

ABSTRACT

The purpose of t h i s t h e s i s i s to attempt to v a l i d a t e the pre-supposed hypothesis, that TThe a p p l i c a t i o n of Per r y ' s neighbourhood u n i t theory and i t s scheme i n Vancouver i s su c c e s s f u l i n i t s p h y s i c a l aspect and i s not s u c c e s s f u l i n i t s s o c i a l aspect'.

The study program i n c l u d e s the f o l l o w i n g eight steps: 1. Reviewing the h i s t o r i c a l aspect of Perry's theory. 2. D e s c r i b i n g Perry's theory and i t s scheme and d e f i n i n g

i t s g o a l . 3. Summarizing the r a m i f i c a t i o n s of i t s a p p l i c a t i o n . 4« Examining the main c r i t i c i s m s of Perry's theory. 5. A n a l y z i n g and e v a l u a t i n g Perry's theory i n d e t a i l . 6. Surveying the Renfrew Heights area i n Vancouver, B.C. 7. I n d u c t i n g and i n t e r p r e t i n g the survey f i n d i n g s . S. From the f i n d i n g s , e v a l u a t i n g the hypothesis.

Through t h i s program, the f i r s t f i v e steps have helped the w r i t e r t o have a deeper understanding of Perry's theory. From the f i n a l three steps i t i s concluded that the hypothesis i s v a l i d .

From the whole study i t i s concluded t h a t Perry's neighbourhood u n i t theory and i t s scheme are s t i l l u s e f u l . The b a s i s f o r t h i s c onclusion i s not because of the goal of Perr y ' s theory, but because the theory provides maximum p o s s i b l e

i i

f a c i l i t i e s i n a r e s i d e n t i a l area w i t h i t s s e l f - c o n t a i n e d

c h a r a c t e r . F i n a l l y i t i s concluded t h a t the s u c c e s s f u l

a p p l i c a t i o n of a t h e o r y i s c r i t i c a l , and the f a i l u r e of i t s

a p p l i c a t i o n does not reduce the value of the t h e o r y .

i i i

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For encouragement, guidance and f o r help i n preparing t h i s t h e s i s , I would l i k e to acknowledge g r a t e f u l indebtedness t o the f o l l o w i n g :

To Mr. W.E. Graham, Planning D i r e c t o r , of Vancouver C i t y , f o r h i s i n t e l l i g e n t a n a l y s i s and valuable experience through which I obtained some i n s i g h t i n t o P e r r y ' s Neighbourhood theory;

To Mr. B. Wiesman, A s s i s t a n t Planning D i r e c t o r , A s s i s t a n t Planning D i r e c t o r of Vancouver C i t y , f o r h i s guidance i n the c o l l e c t i o n of m a t e r i a l ;

To Mr. J.B. Chaster, Planning D i r e c t o r of New Westminster, because of h i s a n a l y s i s of the a p p l i c a t i o n of Perry's neighbourhood theory i n Vancouver, I found the most s u i t a b l e survey area - Renfrew Heights;

To Dr. L.C. Marsh, P r o f e s s o r of S o c i a l Work, f o r h i s suggestions on reading;

To Dr. H.P. Oberlander, Head of the Community and Regional Planning Program, f o r h i s encouragement;

To Dr. K.J. Cross, A s s i s t a n t P r o f e s s o r of the Community and Regional Planning Program, f o r h i s sympathetic, d e t a i l e d , and c o n s t r u c t i v e c r i t i c i s m of every part of t h i s work;

i v

To Dr. A. Fong, a good f r i e n d of mine, f o r her

f i n a n c i a l h elp of my l a s t year of study i n the U n i v e r s i t y of

B r i t i s h Columbia;

To Mrs. E.S. H a r r i e s f o r smoothing my E n g l i s h , and

t y p i n g i t ;

And l a s t l y , to Mrs. T.H. Chiang Wang, my w i f e , f o r

her p a t i e n c e w i t h my l o n g absence.

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

Abs t r a c t i Acknowledgments i i i CHAPTER

I . THE NEIGHBOURHOOD UNIT CONCEPT 1

I n t r o d u c t i o n 1

A. Perry's Neighbourhood Unit Concept 4

B. V a r i a t i o n s on the Theme of the Unit 7

C. A Review of C r i t i c i s m of Pe r r y ' s Theory 1$

D. The Program of the Thesis 23

I I . AN ANALYSIS OF PERRY'S NEIGHBOURHOOD UNIT AND ITS THEME 25

I n t r o d u c t i o n 25

A. S t r e e t System 29

B. Residence 30

C. Church 32

D. Shopping Center 33

E. R e c r e a t i o n a l F a c i l i t i e s 34

F. School 39

G. People and Environment 45

Conclusion 4<3

I I I . NEIGHBOURHOOD SURVEY OF THE RENFREW HEIGHTS AREA OF VANCOUVER, B.C 50

I n t r o d u c t i o n 50

A. The Reasons f o r t h i s Survey 51

LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE

1. The Neighbourhood Unit as seen by Clarence A. Ferry 6

2. Linkage Diagram of CBD and Surrounding Neighbourhoods 26

3. Linkage Diagram of a Neighbourhood*s Functions .... 2$ 4« The Mode of Tran s p o r t a t i o n and Tra v e l Time to Work

f o r the People of the Renfrew Neighbourhood 60 5. The Mode of Transportation and Tra v e l Time to

Shopping F a c i l i t i e s f o r the People of the Renfrew Neighbourhood 6l

6. The Mode of Transpor t a t i o n and Tra v e l Time to Re c r e a t i o n a l Areas f o r the People of Renfrew Neighbourhood 62

7. Tra v e l Times to School f o r the Student of the Renfrew Neighbourhood 65

S. The T r a v e l Time to Church f o r the People of Renfrew Neighbourhood 6 6

9- The T r a v e l l i n g Time f o r People V i s i t i n g Renfrew Neighbourhood 68

10. The Tr a v e l Time to L o c a l Stores f o r the People of Renfrew Neighbourhood 69a

11. The Frequency w i t h which the People of Renfrew Neighbourhood Use t h e i r L o c a l Park 71

CHAPTER PAGE B. The Planning of t h i s Survey 52

C. The Renfrew Heights Community 54

D. The Findings and t h e i r I n t e r p r e t a t i o n 57

E. The I n t e r p r e t a t i o n of the Survey F i n d i n g s i n R e l a t i o n to the Hypothesis 75

IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 77

A. Summary 77

B. Conclusion S i APPENDICES

1. MAP 1 37

'.".2'. MAP 2 S3

: 3 . MAP 3 39

-4 . The Questionnaires 90

BIBLIOGRAPHY 93

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION 114

FIGURE PAGE

12. The R e l a t i o n s h i p between T r a v e l Time and the

Number of S o c i a l V i s i t s per Month f o r the

People of Renfrew Neighbourhood 72

13 The R e l a t i o n s h i p between the Number of S o c i a l

V i s i t s per Month and the I n t e n s i t y of

F r i e n d s h i p or K i n s h i p 73

LIST OF MAPS

MAP

1. L o c a t i o n of Renfrew Neighbourhood, Vancouver, B.C. &7

2. The Land Use of Renfrew Neighbourhood of Vancouver 88

3• Survey Map of Renfrew Neighbourhood of Vancouver 89

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE

1. R e c r e a t i o n a l Acreage and P o p u l a t i o n o f a

Neighbourhood 57

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

At f i r s t the concept of the neighbourhood u n i t was

r e s t r i c t e d t o mean a settlement with no s p e c i a l s o c i a l , economic,

and p o l i t i c a l meaning. As the concept of the neighbourhood

emerged, c e r t a i n d e f i n i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s became apparent.

Webster's Seventh New C o l l e g i a t e D i c t i o n a r y d e f i n e s i t as

"people l i v i n g near one another."^ When people l i v e t o g e t h e r

l o n g enough t o become w e l l acquainted, c e r t a i n community

c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s appear. There was at f i r s t no p o l i t i c a l

s t r u c t u r e , but c e r t a i n u n i f y i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s on the s o c i a l ,

economic and p h y s i c a l l e v e l s were e v i d e n t . F o r example,

neighbours were f r i e n d s , r e l a t i v e s , o r b u s i n e s s a s s o c i a t e s .

People who l i v e d i n a neighbourhood b e n e f i t e d each

other i n many ways. They borrowed or l e n t t o o l s and l a b o u r ,

and helped each other i n times of c r i s i s ; people gathered

t o g e t h e r a f t e r work to d r i n k , eat, dance, or p l a y games w i t h

each o t h e r .

The o r i g i n s of the neighbourhood u n i t concept were

numerous and complex, but the composition of some of the t h r e a d s

Webster T s Seventh New C o l l e g i a t e D i c t i o n a r y . G. and C. Merriam Company, S p r i n g f i e l d , Mass., U.S.A., 1 9 6 3 , p. 5 6 6 .

2

which were woven into the f i n a l concept have been recorded, and evidences of others can be detected. Clarence Perry, the ori g i n a t o r of the concept i n i t s c l a s s i c a l form, gives credit to three sources which have influenced him.^ F i r s t , there was the community centre movement: second, he had f i r s t hand exper­ience of l i v i n g i n a successful neighbourhood--Forest H i l l s Gardens i n the Borough of Queens, New York Cit y ; and l a s t , he was influenced by urban soc i o l o g i s t s such as Charles Horton Cooley. The general idea of neighbourhoods was and i s influenced by s o c i o l o g i s t s * impressions of the ethnic settlements i n certain American c i t i e s , and by t h e i r knowledge of community l i f e i n many of the older c i t i e s i n other parts of the world.3

The Community Centre Movement originated with Toynbee H a l l , which was organized i n 13&5 by Canon Barnett and his associates i n the East End of London. I t s purpose was to provide a place where the inhabitants could meet f o r recreation, education and f o r general s o c i a l o u t l e t s . In 1909, Perry set

^ Clarence Arthur Perry, Housing for the Machine Age, New York, Russell Sage Foundation, 1939, ch. 9«

3 Charles Horton Cooley, S o c i a l Organization, New York, Scribner's, 1920. p. 20.

^ J.A.R. Pimlott, Toynbee H a l l - 50 Years of Social Progress, London, Dent, 1935*

3

out t o i n v e s t i g a t e a c t i v i t i e s s i m i l a r t o those of Toynbee H a l l

being c a r r i e d on i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h school b u i l d i n g s i n New

York. The movement f i n a l l y r e c e i v e d i t s name i n Rochester.^

In 1922 P e r r y , working f o r the R u s s e l l Sage Foundation, began

p r e p a r a t i o n s f o r h i s p a r t of the Regional P l a n of New York and

i t s e n v i r o n s . H i s s o l u t i o n was i n s p i r e d by h i s experiences at

F o r e s t H i l l s Gardens.

For the s o c i o l o g i c a l aspects of the neighbourhood

concept, P e r r y was very much i n f l u e n c e d by Cooley's t h e o r y of

the i n t i m a t e , f a c e - t o - f a c e community. Cooley has s t a t e d :

By primary groups I mean those c h a r a c t e r i z e d by i n t i m a t e f a c e - t o - f a c e a s s o c i a t i o n and c o - o p e r a t i o n . They are primary i n s e v e r a l senses, but c h i e f l y i n t h a t they are fundamental i n forming the s o c i a l nature and ideas of the i n d i v i d u a l . The r e s u l t o f in t i m a t e a s s o c i a t i o n , p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y , i s a c e r t a i n f u s i o n o f i n d i v i d u a l i t i e s i n a common whole, so t h a t one's very s e l f , f o r many purposes at l e a s t , i s the common l i f e and purpose of the group. Perhaps the simplest way of d e s c r i b i n g t h i s wholeness i s by saying t h a t i t i s a 'we', i t i n v o l v e s the s o r t o f sympathy and mutual i d e n t i f i c a t i o n f o r which 'we' i s the n a t u r a l e x p r e s s i o n . One l i v e s i n the f e e l i n g of the whole and f i n d s the c h i e f aim of h i s w i l l i n t h a t f e e l i n g . 0

5 Perry, ojo. c i t . , Ch. 9«

D C h a r l e s Horton Cooley, S o c i a l O r g a n i z a t i o n , New York, S c r i b n e r ' s , 1920, p. 23 .

4

Cooley and the s o c i o l o g i s t s of the pre-war days had found that urban l i v i n g seemed to l a c k the n e i g h b o u r l i n e s s of r u r a l l i f e . T h is l a c k of n e i g h b o u r l i n e s s , they concluded, was one of the major undesirable c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of urban l i v i n g .

A. PERRY TS NEIGHBOURHOOD UNIT CONCEPT

Based upon Cooley fs theory, Perry evolved h i s neighbour­hood u n i t theory which i s described i n h i s book Housing f o r the Machine Age J The neighbourhood u n i t , a scheme to f o s t e r the f a m i l y l i f e of the.community, was a c t u a l l y f i r s t described i n one of three monographs th a t made up volume 7! "Neighbourhood and Community Pl a n n i n g " i n the Regional Survey of New York and i t s Environs, which was w r i t t e n by C A . Perry and published i n 1929*' In Housing f o r the Machine Age, Perry developed h i s theory and l i s t e d s i x p r i n c i p l e s which are as f o l l o w s :

1. S i z e : A r e s i d e n t i a l u n i t development should provide housing f o r that p o p u l a t i o n f o r which one elementary school i s o r d i n a r i l y r e q u i r e d , i t s a c t u a l area depending upon i t s p o p u l a t i o n d e n s i t y . 2. Boundaries: The u n i t should be bounded on a l l sides by a r t e r i a l s t r e e t s , s u f f i c i e n t l y wide to f a c i l i t a t e i t s bypassing, i n s t e a d of p e n e t r a t i o n , by through t r a f f i c . 3. Open Spaces: A system of small parks and r e c r e a t i o n spaces, planned to meet the needs of the p a r t i c u l a r neighbourhood, should be provided.

Perry, OJD. c i t . , pp. 51-52.

5

4. I n s t i t u t i o n S i t e s : S i t e s f o r the school and other i n s t i t u t i o n s having s e r v i c e spheres c o i n c i d i n g w i t h the l i m i t s of the u n i t should be s u i t a b l y grouped about a center point., or common. 5. L o c a l Shops: One or more shopping d i s t r i c t s adequate f o r the pop u l a t i o n to be served, should be l a i d out i n the circumference of the u n i t , p r e f e r a b l y at t r a f f i c j u n c t i o n s and adjacent to s i m i l a r d i s t r i c t s of a d j o i n i n g neighbourhoods. 6. I n t e r n a l S t r e e t System: The u n i t should be provided w i t h a s p e c i a l s t r e e t system, each highway being p r o p o r t i o n a l to i t s probable t r a f f i c l o a d , and the s t r e e t as a whole being designed to f a c i l i t a t e c i r c u l ­a t i o n w i t h i n the u n i t and to discourage i t s use by through traffic.®

(For i l l u s t r a t i o n see Diagram I , p. 6)

With these p r i n c i p l e s Perry b e l i e v e d t h a t a neighbourhood community i>n which the fundamental needs of f a m i l y l i f e would be met more completely than they were by the usual r e s i d e n t i a l s e c t i o n s i n c i t i e s and v i l l a g e s would develop. I n these schemes, the neighbourhood was regarded both as a u n i t of a l a r g e r whole and as an e n t i t y . ^

The neighbourhood u n i t p r i n c i p l e proposed a c i t y whose r e s i d e n t i a l areas were pleasant; healthy, w i t h adequate open space and r e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s ; safe, i n a motor-car age, w i t h the e l i m i n a t i o n of dangerous through t r a f f i c ; l o c a l l y s e l f - c o n t a i n e d , w i t h shops, and s o c i a l and c u l t u r a l f a c i l i t i e s ;

° Perry, CJD. c i t . , pp. 51-52.

9 I b i d .

6

•VELA IN OPEN DEVELOPMENT. PREFERABLY 160 ACRES" m AMY CASE IT 5H0ULD MOUSE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO REQUIRE ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • EXACT SHAPE NOT ESSENTIAL BUT BEST WHEN ALL SIDES ARE FAIRLY EQUIDISTANT FROM CENTER:

SHOPPING- DISTRICTS IN PERIPHERY AT TRAFFIC JUNCTIONS AND PREFERABLY BUNCHEP JN FORM

A SHOPPING- DfSTPJCT MIGHT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR.CHURCH SITE

kTEN PERCE OF A RE. A TO RECREATION AND PARIC5PACE.

INTERIOR STREETS NOT WIDER. THAN REQUIRED FOR SPECIFIC

USE AND GIVING EASY ACCESS TO SHOPS AND COMMUNITY CENTER, ̂ y

S T R E E T TRAFFIC JUNCTION

Reproduced from New York Regional Plan Volume 7. Fi'gxira- 1. The Neighbourhood Unit as seen by Clarence A.

Perry.

7

and i d e n t i f i a b l e , both through i n n e r cohesion, and the

d e f i n i t i o n o f p r e c i s e boundaries. . The b a s i c f u n c t i o n of the

neighbourhood u n i t was t o pro v i d e a p h y s i c a l environment

which would regenerate and ma i n t a i n primary, f a c e - t o - f a c e

s o c i a l c o n t a c t s and a s s o c i a t i o n s w i t h i n the c i t y .

In 1947> James D a h i r defined, the neighbourhood u n i t ,

based on P e r r y ' s concept, as f o l l o w s : ,

One of the most p l e a s a n t memories o l d t i m e r s have i s of the f r i e n d l y community s p i r i t t h a t used t o be so s t r o n g years ago. T h i s p l a n aims t o confirm and r e c r e a t e t h a t c o n g e n i a l f e e l i n g i n modern garb, through the o r g a n i z a t i o n o f the town i n t o neighbourhood u n i t s of 1500 f a m i l i e s (5000 people) each. By l i v i n g i n a compact community environment, c h i l d r e n w i l l develop a sense of s e c u r i t y and belonging, while a d u l t s w i l l f e e l themselves c l o s e l y i n t e g r a t e d i n t o a p e r s o n a l s o c i a l u n i t . With Framingham growing i n t o a l a r g e r more i n d u s t r i a l i z e d community, the neighbourhood u n i t w i l l become i n c r e a s i n g l y important t o preserve the i n d i v i d u a l s e c u r i t y and p e r s o n a l p a r t i c i p a t i o n o f a l l c i t i z e n s i n community l i f e . - 1 - 0

P e r r y ' s neighbourhood u n i t concept might be regarded

as a main theme upon which c i t y p l a n n e r s have e l a b o r a t e d many

v a r i a t i o n s . The concept has been the b a s i c substance of

innumerable permutations.

B. VARIATIONS ON THE THEME OF THE UNIT

C l a s s i c a l l y d e f i n e d , the neighbourhood u n i t c o n s i s t s

of a r e s i d e n t i a l area's s i z e , boundaries, open spaces,

1° James Da h i r , The Neighbourhood U n i t P l a n , New York, The R u s s e l l Sage Foundation, 1947, p. 5*

8

i n s t i t u t i o n s i t e s , l o c a l shops and an i n t e r n a l s t r e e t system.

As a u n i t , i t i s complete and p r e c i s e . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , s i m i l a r

p r e c i s i o n was not t o be found i n P e r r y ' s i d e a s about the

neighbourhood u n i t ' s r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h other u n i t s and the

town's c e n t r e . In d e a l i n g with these problems, he was content

t o s t a t e the p r i n c i p l e t h a t each neighbourhood u n i t was to be

con s i d e r e d an e n t i t y , w h i le at the same time p a r t of the great

whole of the c i t y . The h i e r a r c h i c a l system he put forward was

thu s : r e s i d e n c e : neighbourhood: c i t y . Since P e r r y ' s o r i g i n a l

f o r m u l a t i o n of the i d e a , t h e r e have been a l a r g e number of

suggested v a r i a t i o n s d e v e l o p i n g the theme of the neighbourhood

u n i t . Some of these were concerned w i t h the u n i t i t s e l f ,

p a r t i c u l a r l y i t s s i z e , the nature of i t s boundaries, and the

l o c a t i o n of shops. Others have been concerned w i t h the system

of r e l a t i o n s h i p s between neighbourhood and town, and have

suggested m o d i f i c a t i o n s o f the h i e r a r c h y of u n i t s . For a f u l l

u n derstanding o f the neighbourhood u n i t i t i s necessary t o

review the d i f f e r e n t developments.

Clarence S t e i n , a pio n e e r i n the a p p l i c a t i o n o f P e r r y ' s

t h e o r i e s , made c e r t a i n important e x t e n s i o n s t o the i d e a . He

i n c r e a s e d the number of steps i n the h i e r a r c h y , advocating small

neighbourhoods, groups of neighbourhoods or d i s t r i c t s ( s u p p o r t i n g

such l a r g e - s c a l e f a c i l i t i e s as h o s p i t a l s and c u l t u r a l c e n t r e s

which might l i e beyond the scope of i n d i v i d u a l neighbourhoods)

9

u n i t i n g to form the c i t y . He a l s o extended the h i e r a r c h y

beyond the c i t y i n t o the r e g i o n . A more r a d i c a l departure

from P e r r y was found i n S t e i n ' s uncompleted p l a n of Radburn,

i n which there are three ove r l app ing neighbourhoods. The

p r a c t i c a l S t e i n saw i n t h i s sugges t ion a g rea t e r f l e x i b i l i t y i n

p l a n n i n g , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n regard to fu ture development schemes.

The t h e o r e t i c a l i m p l i c a t i o n s were impor tan t , however, because

the emphasis changed from the boundary (no l onge r regarded as

the i n v i o l a b l e b a r r i e r ) t o the core o f the neighbourhood.

Wal t e r Grop ius , i n h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n s i n t o s tandard ized

houses, as at Toerton-Dessau, developed the organic s e r i e s :

house, s t r e e t , neighbourhood, town; and i n r e l a t i o n to h i s t a l l

apartment b l o c k , the p a r a l l e l s e r i e s : d w e l l i n g , apartment b lock

(or ' s u p e r h o u s e h o l d ' ) , neighbourhood and town. .The step i n t e r ­

mediate between d w e l l i n g u n i t and neighbourhood arose out of

G r o p i u s ' concept of the changing r o l e of the f a m i l y i n German

s o c i e t y , w i t h i t s g rea te r s t r e s s on the i n d i v i d u a l on the one

hand, and on the l a r g e n o n - k i n s h i p community groups on the o the r .

Wi th the excep t ion o f t h i s in t e rmed ia te s tage, G r o p i u s ' i dea was

Clarence S t e i n , Towards New Towns f o r Amer ica , L i v e r p o o l U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , 1957* p . 31«

1 2 Wal te r Grop ius , Die S o c i o l o g i s c h e n Grundlagen der M i n i m a l

Wohnung, Die F u s t i g , 1930*

10

very c l o s e to the neighbourhood u n i t concept as developed,

unknown t o him, i n A m e r i c a . 1 / h e n he h i m s e l f migrated to

America, he i d e n t i f i e d h i m s e l f with the neighbourhood u n i t

theory, s t r e s s e d the sequence of development f o r s o c i a l

v i a b i l i t y , and suggested the s e r i e s : d w e l l i n g and neighbour­

hood u n i t , p r e c i n c t , c i t y . - ^

Georgi M i n e r v i n s a i d t h a t i n the U.S.S.R. a d e c i s i v e

change i n town p l a n n i n g had been the i n t r o d u c t i o n of r e s i d e n t i a l

areas c a l l e d 'micro d i s t r i c t s ' . These m i c r o - d i s t r i c t s , which

had p o p u l a t i o n s of from 6000-S000 people, were equipped w i t h

s c h o o l s , shops and s o c i a l f a c i l i t i e s , and were separated from

main roads by s t r e t c h e s of greenery, and were a p p a r e n t l y s i m i l a r

to the neighbourhood unit.-*-5 There was a l a r g e r u n i t i n t e r ­

p o l a t e d i n the s c a l e between the m i c r o - d i s t r i c t s and the t o t a l

c i t y . T h i s was termed the r e s i d e n t i a l d i s t r i c t , and was a group

* S e i g f r i e d G i e d i o n , i n h i s i n t r o d u c t i o n to S e r t ' s , Can Our C i t i e s Survive?, Cambridge, Harvard U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , 1942, r e p o r t s the d e l i b e r a t i o n s of the t h i r d congress of CIAM i n B r u s s e l s (1930) on "How to organize whole groups of d w e l l i n g s i n t o neighbourhood u n i t s " and names Gropius as one of the p r i n c i p a l l e c t u r e r s .

For a f u l l e x p o s i t i o n o f G r o p i u s ' viewpoint see h i s R e b u i l d i n g Our Communities, Chicago, P a u l Theobald and C o l , 1945* See a l s o the d i s c u s s i o n on the organic nature of G r o p i u s ' town p l a n n i n g .

15 Georgi M i n e r v i n , "Recent Developments i n S o v i e t A r c h i t e c t u r e " , P r o g r e s s i v e A r c h i t e c t u r e , June 1961, pp. 172-73•

11

or c l u s t e r of t h r e e or f o u r m i c r o - d i s t r i c t s w i t h a centre

comprising major c u l t u r a l and s p o r t s f a c i l i t i e s . Thus i n

Russian town p l a n n i n g , the s e r i e s (was p o s t u l a t e d ) o f . r e s ­

i d e n t i a l b u i l d i n g s , m i c r o - d i s t r i c t , r e s i d e n t i a l d i s t r i c t and

c i t y . Even sma l l towns were a l r e a d y adopting a n u c l e a t e d

p l a n . 1 6

In South A f r i c a , i n 1943, an advanced r e p l a n n i n g scheme

was put forward by the Witwatersrand U n i v e r s i t y A r c h i t e c t u r a l

S c h o o l . T h i s scheme proposed the f o l l o w i n g systems The b a s i c

u n i t was to be a 'housing u n i t ' , based upon an elementary s c h o o l .

I t was to have a p o p u l a t i o n o f approximately 2600 persons. Two

housing u n i t s , p l u s a community centre, formed a neighbourhood

u n i t . The combination of two neighbourhood u n i t s , p l u s a h i g h

s c h o o l , p r o v i d e d the next step i n the s c a l e , a community u n i t .

Four such community u n i t s p l u s a c i v i c c e n t r e , i n d u s t r i e s and

a g r i c u l t u r a l h o l d i n g s made up the town. Towns l i n k e d by major

t r a n s p o r t a t i o n r o u t e s , w i t h the added f a c i l i t i e s of a r e g i o n a l

centre, c o n s t i t u t e d the l a r g e s t u n i t i n the h i e r a r c h y , the

m e t r o p o l i t a n area. 1'' 7

l D T h e v i l l a g e " i l l u s t r a t e d i n A r c h i t e c t u r e USSR, 11, 1961, p. 31 which i n d i c a t e s f i v e r e s i d e n t i a l areas of some 1500-2000 p o p u l a t i o n each grouped around a town centre w i t h f u l l s o c i a l f a c i l i t i e s .

•^The r e p o r t on the e x h i b i t i o n ' R e b u i l d i n g South A f r i c a ' i n the South A f r i c a n A r c h i t e c t u r a l Record, September and October, 1943.

12

In the same year, Forshaw and Abercrombie brought out

the County of London P l a n . They suggested a neighbourhood

u n i t of 6000-10,000 people, based on the elementary s c h o o l , as

the minimum u n i t f o r redevelopment. These neighbourhood u n i t s

were t o be regarded as s u b - u n i t s of l a r g e r u n i t s , c a l l e d

communities. In the G r e a t e r London P l a n of the next year,^ 9

Abercrombie expanded upon t h i s i d e a . In p l a n n i n g at the

r e g i o n a l l e v e l , the b a s i c p l a n n i n g u n i t became the community,

w i t h a p o p u l a t i o n of perhaps 6 0 , 0 0 0 . Each community would

c o n t a i n one or more neighbourhood u n i t s , t o g e t h e r with those

b u i l d i n g s and open spaces which would make i t l a r g e l y s e l f -

c o n t a i n e d . Each community would have a l i f e and a c h a r a c t e r

of i t s own, yet i t s i n d i v i d u a l i t y would be i n harmony w i t h the

complex form, l i f e and a c t i v i t i e s of the r e g i o n as a whole.^0

G i b b e r d , ^ a c c e p t i n g a neighbourhood u n i t of a

p o p u l a t i o n of about 5000, r e l a t e d t o the elementary s c h o o l , was

Forshaw and Abercrombie, County of London P l a n , London, M a c M i l l a n and Co., 1943.

! 9 p a t r i c k Abercrombie, Greater London P l a n 1944, London, H.M.S.O., 1945-

2 0 I b i d . , p. 113.

^ F r e d e r i c k Gibberd, Town Design, London, A r c h i t e c t u r a l P r ess, 1953.

concerned w i t h v a r i a t i o n s i n s c a l e at both ends of the s e r i e s .

He achieved a s m a l l - s c a l e u n i t i n h i s housing groups of v a r i o u s

designs, as i n Harlow. H i s answer to the l a r g e - s c a l e u n i t was

the neighbourhood c l u s t e r . He argued t h a t , i n a l a r g e town,

f a c i l i t i e s such as l i b r a r i e s and h e a l t h c e n t r e s would be

r e q u i r e d i n o u t l y i n g areas, as w e l l as i n the town c e n t r e . A

c l u s t e r of t h r e e neighbourhoods, with a p o p u l a t i o n of 15,000,

oould reasonably support such e x t r a f a c i l i t i e s , which would, i n

Gibberd's argument, unbalance a s i n g l e , small n e i g h b o u r h o o d . 2 2

A s i m i l a r c l u s t e r system might be found i n the B r i t i s h

New Town of G l e n r o t h e s . The .new towns, as a group, have been

the most c o n s i s t e n t examples of the a p p l i c a t i o n o f the neighbour­

hood t h e o r y . In most r e s p e c t s , P e r r y ' s f o r m u l a t i o n o f the

theory had been f o l l o w e d . Anthony Goss T a n a l y s i s of New Town

neighbourhoods i n d i c a t e d t h a t d i v e r g e n c i e s between P e r r y ' s and

the o f f i c i a l B r i t i s h neighbourhoods appeared i n t h r e e a s p e c t s . .

In the New Towns, shops tended t o be w i t h i n the u n i t , and not

on the perimeter, as P e r r y suggested. P u b l i c open spaces became

p e r i p h e r a l i n the B r i t i s h examples, a c t i n g as boundaries.

P e r r y ' s boundaries were a r t e r i a l roads, and open space was

c o n c e n t r a t e d i n the heart of the u n i t . The i d e a l s i z e —

I b i d . , p. 213*

although not always the one adopted — would appear, i n the

New Towns, to be an a r b i t r a r y 10,000: t h i s d i d not r e l a t e t o

a s i n g l e primary school as i n P e r r y ' s f o r m u l a . ^

Henry C h u r c h i l l ' s s o c i o l o g i c a l l y - o r i e n t e d theory^4

d i f f e r e n t i a t e d between two u n i t s , the s o c i a l 'neighbourhood'

and the 'school u n i t ' . H i s theory e s t a b l i s h e d the s e r i e s :

f a m i l y , s o c i a l neighbourhood, school u n i t and c i t y . The s o c i a l

neighbourhood was d e f i n e d as a sma l l area of a f a i r l y u l t i m a t e

nature which f o s t e r e d a neighbourhood f e e l i n g . The school u n i t ,

C h u r c h i l l ' s i d e a l p l a n n i n g u n i t , comprised s e v e r a l s o c i a l n e i g h ­

bourhoods. I t connected w i t h the s m a l l e s t p o l i t i c a l s u b d i v i s i o n

of the c i t y , and would be co-terminous with the s c h o o l , v o t i n g ,

p o l i c e , c i t y , census, h e a l t h and other a d m i n i s t r a t i v e sub­

d i v i s i o n s of the town.

The Chicago P l a n Commission's Report of 1946^5 contained

a f u l l p a t t e r n of c i t y development based on neighbourhoods and

grouped neighbourhoods. I t was suggested t h a t the c i t y be

comprised of 514 r e l a t e d and s e l f - c o n t a i n e d neighbourhoods, and

-'Anthony Goss, "Neighbourhood U n i t s i n B r i t i s h New Towns", Town P l a n n i n g Review, A p r i l 1961.

2^Henry S. C h u r c h i l l , The C i t y i s the People. New York, Reynal and Hitchcock, 1945, c i t e d i n Dahir, op. c i t . , p. 35*

^ P r e l i m i n a r y Comprehensive C i t y P l a n of Chicago, Chicago P l a n Commission, 1946. Information i n Dahir, op. c i t . , p.

59 communities. The t y p i c a l 'neighbourhood' was a q u a r t e r

square m i l e i n area, but t h i s was v a r i e d w i t h the d e n s i t y .

The suggested p o p u l a t i o n was from 4*000-12,000, r e l a t e d t o the

needs of an elementary s c h o o l . The community was a c l u s t e r of

neighbourhoods, o f 45,000 to 90,000 people, and was the s e r v i c e

area f o r a h i g h s c h o o l . The community, complete with a l l

s o c i a l , c u l t u r a l and i n d u s t r i a l a n c i l l a r i e s , was regarded as

c o n s t i t u t i n g a ' w e l l - b a l a n c e d ' small c i t y . A l i n k e d network 26

of the 59 communities made up Chicago as a whole.

The D e t r o i t P l a n was s i m i l a r i n some r e s p e c t s to the

Chicago P l a n of the p r e v i o u s y e a r , 2 ? but D e t r o i t added one

f u r t h e r step to the s e r i e s , which became a neighbourhood u n i t ,

based on the elementary s c h o o l , a minor group of f o u r n e i g h ­

bourhood u n i t s , based on an i n t e r m e d i a t e s c h o o l area, w i t h

branch l i b r a r y f a c i l i t i e s and supermarket shopping, and a

major group o r community of 7-10 neighbourhood u n i t s . These

u n i t s p r o v i d e d f o r a p o p u l a t i o n of 75,000-100,000 persons, and

were equipped w i t h a minor c i v i c c e n t r e . E l i e l Saarinen, an

advocate of the c e l l u l a r t h e o r y of town p l a n n i n g , submitted

^ G i l b e r t Herbert, The Neighbourhood U n i t P r i n c i p l e and Organic Theory, The S o c i o l o g i c a l Review, v o l . 11, no. 2, New S e r i e s J u l y 1963, U n i v e r s i t y of Keele, p. 176.

2 ? T h e D e t r o i t C i t y P l a n Commission, 1945* Information i n D a h i r , ojo. c i t . , pp. 59-60.

16

a l t e r n a t i v e p l a n s f o r D e t r o i t based upon a sm a l l i n i t i a l o r

b a s i c u n i t of 200 homes, or g a n i z e d i n c l u s t e r s which i n t u r n

r e l a t e d t o d i f f e r e n t school l e v e l s . ^ Ludwig H i l b e r s e i m e r ,

another a p o s t l e of organic town pl a n n i n g , suggested t h a t the

a r c h a i c c i t y b l o c k of the g r i d i r o n system be r e p l a c e d by a new

settlement u n i t on an e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t s c a l e . T h i s s e t t l e ­

ment u n i t would be l i m i t e d i n area t o a walking r a d i u s of

15-20 minutes, would c o n s i s t of balanced housing, commercial

and i n d u s t r i a l areas, and be of v a r y i n g p o p u l a t i o n s (and hence

of d i f f e r e n t d e n s i t i e s ) . I t s p o p u l a t i o n would be l a r g e enough

to meet the s o c i a l and p e r s o n a l requirements of the i n d i v i d u a l ,

l a r g e enough to o f f e r v a r i e t y i n work and l i f e , and l a r g e enough

t o support the necessary communal, c u l t u r a l , and h y g i e n i c

i n s t i t u t i o n s . But i t should a l s o be s m a l l enough to preserve an

o r g a n i c community l i f e , . s o t h a t democracy might p r e v a i l and each

i n d i v i d u a l p a r t i c i p a t e i n community a c t i v i t i e s . ^ i t was

H i l b e r s e i m e r T s i n t e n t i o n t h a t these b a s i c settlement u n i t s be

combined i n v a r i o u s ways. The u n i t i t s e l f was a simple community,

a combination o f u n i t s would c o n s t i t u t e a complex community, and

2 % ) a h i r ,op. c i t . , p. 6 0 .

29 Ludwig H i l b e r s e i m e r , The Nature of C i t i e s , Chicago, P a u l Theobald and Co., 1955, p. 193-

17

an aggregation of these communities, complex or simple, would create a d i v e r s i f i e d c i t y f u l l y equipped with administrative, educational and c u l t u r a l f a c i l i t i e s . 3 ^

The term 'unit of settlement* was also used by Herry and Pertzoff. 31 This unit (referred to a l t e r n a t i v e l y as a ' r e s i d e n t i a l unit') housed from 500-2,000 fa m i l i e s , or 8,000-20,000 people. I t was made up of a combination of smaller units or 'neighbour­hoods' of 30-60 families each. These terms are confusing, because the size of the r e s i d e n t i a l unit (800 persons) i s approximately that of a neighbourhood as generally conceived. However, the system i t s e l f i s clear. "A f l e x i b l e system i s postulated, with neighbourhood boundaries f l u i d and overlapping, to r e f l e c t and accommodate a s o c i a l system which i n i t s e l f was constantly changing."32

A l l these diffe r e n t variations only involved departures i n d e t a i l s from Perry's formulation. Such departures concen­trated on the planning of schools which arose from technical planning d i f f i c u l t i e s , and not from doctrinaire opposition to

3°Hilberseimer, Nature of C i t i e s , p. 216.

3 1 H e rman Herry, Constantin Pertzoff, and Erna Herry, "An Organic Theory of City Planning, "Architectural Forum, A p r i l 1944, pp. 133-5.

3 2 H e rbert,op_. c i t . , p. 177.

Perry's theory. A fundamental divergence from Perry i s noted when sub-units were introduced into the neighbourhood concept. This divergence happened when the metropolitan area grew to a certain s i z e . The hierarchy of the r e s i d e n t i a l unit within a municipality needed a bigger u n i t . Stein's d i s t r i c t , the r e s i d e n t i a l unit i n the USSR, the community unit both i n South A f r i c a and London, and Gibberd's cluster, a l l were organized from three or four neighbourhoods. However, adding a larger sub-unit to the top neighbourhood series did not affect or change the basic concept of Perry's neighbourhood; and although his neighbourhood concept has been adopted with varying mod­i f i c a t i o n s i n many parts of the world, the theory and i t s basic formula have remained e s s e n t i a l l y unaltered since 1930*

C. THE CRITICISM OF PERRY'S THEORY

There were many books and a r t i c l e s -- some of them developing Perry's concept, some of them evaluating or c r i t i c ­i z i n g i t -- which have been published i n the l a s t t h i r t y years. Three of these a r t i c l e s , two by R. Isaacs33 a n d one by Herbe

r t 3 4

33Reginald Isaacs, "Are Urban Neighbourhoods Possible?" Journal of Housing, July-August, 1943S "The Neighbourhood Theory, Journal of the American I n s t i t u t e of Planners, Spring, 1943; "Frontiers of Housing Research - the Neighbourhood Concept i n Theory and Application", Land Economics, v o l . 25, February, 1949»

3 4 G

i l b e r t Herbert, "The Neighbourhood Unit's P r i n c i p l e and Organic Theory", The Socio l o g i c a l Review, v o l . 11, no. 2, July, 1963, pp. 165-213.

19

•were the most c h a l l e n g i n g .

R e g i n a l d I s a a c s , Chairman of the Department of City-

P l a n n i n g at Harvard U n i v e r s i t y , wrote an a r t i c l e , "Are Urb.an

Neighbourhoods P o s s i b l e ? " , p u b l i s h e d i n the J o u r n a l of the

American I n s t i t u t e of P l a n n e r s . 'July t o August, 1948, i n d i c a t i n g

t h a t the concept was most f a u l t y and r e q u i r e d the f o l l o w i n g

examination:

1. I s i t s o c i o l o g i c a l l y p o s s i b l e t o crea t e neighbour­hoods i n the complex urban s t r u c t u r e , 2. I s the neighbourhood u n i t adequate as a p h y s i c a l concept f o r planning? 3 . Should the concept be c h a l l e n g e d on the b a s i s t h a t i t l e n d s i t s e l f t o the purposes of d i s c r i m i n a t i o n s i n c e i t s most widespread a p p l i c a t i o n has been i t s methodical use f o r segregation? 4« That the school cannot be the f o c u s f o r the neighbourhood; 5. That the church cannot be planned t o f i t i n t o a neighbourhood u n i t system.35

I s a a c ' s f i r s t q u e s t i o n — I s i t s o c i o l o g i c a l l y p o s s i b l e

to c r e a t e neighbourhoods i n the complex urban s t r u c t u r e ? — was

very s e n s i b l e , even i f i t was not q u i t e c l e a r . Everyone knew

there were many neighbourhoods i n Chicago and New York. People

l i v i n g t o g e t h e r n a t u r a l l y would have some s o c i a l a c t i v i t y .

I s a a c ' s q u e s t i o n i n g o f the s o c i o l o g i c a l p o s s i b i l i t y of the

neighbourhood seems i l l o g i c a l but Is a a c s might have meant t h a t

i t i s i m p o s s i b l e t o crea t e a s o c i o l o g i c a l neighbourhood u n i t i n

Is a a c s , Land Economics, v o l . 25, February 1949, p. 7 3 '

20

the complex urban s t r u c t u r e . The author contends t h a t a

s o c i o l o g i c a l neighbourhood i s a neighbourhood which should not

only have p h y s i c a l p r o x i m i t y of homes, schools, shops and

i n s t i t u t i o n s but should have a great many s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s .

I f none of these phenomena are evident i n a neighbourhood,

then t h a t neighbourhood u n i t i s not a s o c i o l o g i c a l neighbourhood.

In t h i s way, the author tends to agree with I s a a c s . A survey

of a neighbourhood i n Vancouver w i l l attempt t o prove t h i s

(see Chapter I I I ) .

The second que s t i o n — I s the neighbourhood u n i t adequate

as a p h y s i c a l concept f o r planning? — i s r e l a t e d to the f i r s t

one. P e r r y expected t h a t h i s scheme of the neighbourhood u n i t

would b r i n g f a c e - t o - f a c e r e l a t i o n s h i p s among people. I f the

scheme f a i l e d t o do so i n i t s p r a c t i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n s , then

I s a a c ' s q u e s t i o n would be a v a l i d one. T h i s q u e s t i o n w i l l be

examined c r i t i c a l l y i n Chapter I I .

The t h i r d q u e s t i o n — Should the concept be c h a l l e n g e d

on the b a s i s t h a t i t lends i t s e l f t o the purpose of d i s c r i m ­

i n a t i o n s i n c e i t s most widespread a p p l i c a t i o n has been i t s

m e t h o d i c a l use f o r segregation? — was s e l f - c o n t r a d i c t o r y t o

h i s f i r s t q u e s t i o n . S e g r e g a t i o n means " s e p a r a t e d from o t h e r s

of the group."3° I f a group of people l i v i n g i n a neighbourhood

3 6Webster's D i c t i o n a r y , p. 782.

21

were s t r o n g l y a s s o c i a t e d with each other, then t h a t means the

neighbourhood u n i t could be a s o c i o l o g i c a l u n i t and the f i r s t

q u e s t i o n was i n v a l i d . I f both the f i r s t and t h i r d q u e s t i o n s

were well-founded, then the doubt should not have been put on

the scheme i t s e l f . That i s a s o c i a l problem t o which Roland L.

Warren had g i v e n a reasonable a n a l y s i s i n h i s book, The

Community i n America,37which was p u b l i s h e d i n I963• T h i s problem

w i l l be examined f u r t h e r i n Chapter I I under the t o p i c of

"The People and T h e i r Environment".

The f o u r t h p o i n t — t h a t the school cannot be the f o c u s

of the neighbourhood — was a c r i t i c a l one. T h i s w i l l be

reviewed i n Chapter I I under the t o p i c of 'School'.

The f i f t h p o i n t was not as c r i t i c a l . I s a a c s presupposed

t h a t a neighbourhood might i n v o l v e many d i f f e r e n t r e l i g i o u s

groups, none of which would have a m a j o r i t y . T h i s p r e s u p p o s i t i o n

might be t r u e i n c e r t a i n areas but c e r t a i n l y not everywhere.

In f a c t , most people i n North America are C h r i s t i a n . There

might be some d i f f i c u l t i e s i n the r e l a t i o n s h i p s between

C h r i s t i a n s o c i e t i e s i n a neighbourhood. In t h a t case, s e t t i n g

two or t h r e e d i f f e r e n t churches i n hhe neighbourhood centre

would be a s o l u t i o n . A church l o c a t e d i n one neighbourhood i s

37Roland L . Warren, The Community i n America, Chicago, Rand-McNally and Company, 1964.

22

not r e s t r i c t e d by the boundaries of t h a t neighbourhood — i n

other words, i t i s a v a i l a b l e t o a l l the surrounding areas.

Thus I s a a c s 1 f i f t h c h a l l e n g e has no c r i t i c a l s i g n i f i c a n c e .

In 1963, G. Herbert c r i t i c i z e d P e r r y ' s p r i n c i p l e ; he

s t a t e d t h a t the neighbourhood u n i t was not an o r g a n i c concept

because:

1. I t s t r e s s e s the p a r t , but not the r e l a t i o n s h i p s of par t and whole; 2. I t l e a d s t o growth by aggregation and not by s y n t h e s i s ;

3« I t i s i n f l e x i b l e and p r o h i b i t s change.3°

In e f f e c t , Herbert has s a i d t h a t the neighbourhood u n i t scheme

i s i n f l e x i b l e and non-organic. However, i t i s not the u n i t

which must be f l e x i b l e and o r g a n i c . Instead the a c t u a l d e s i g n ­

i n g o f the c i t y should be o r g a n i c , t h a t i s the r e l a t i o n s h i p of

the d i f f e r e n t f u n c t i o n s i n the c i t y .

P e r r y ' s neighbourhood u n i t i s a guide i n the d e s i g n i n g

of r e s i d e n t i a l areas i n c i t i e s . H i s concept i s a t h e o r e t i c a l

one so t h a t when i t i s a p p l i e d i n everyday circumstances, some

m o d i f i c a t i o n s may be necessary. As a theory, i t s t i l l remains

c o n s i s t e n t w i t h i n i t s e l f . How to use i t o r g a n i c a l l y i n a c t u a l

d e s i g n i s the p l a n n e r ' s j o b . I t i s q u i t e t r u e t h a t bad p l a n n i n g

l e a d s t o growth by aggregation and not by s y n t h e s i s . However,

the blame should be l a i d on the p l a n n e r ' s shoulders and not on

the concept of the u n i t i t s e l f .

^ H e r b e r t , OJD. c i t . , pp. '165-213 .

THE PROGRAM OF THE THESIS

A t h e s i s has one or more hypotheses w i t h the go a l o f

the t h e s i s being t o attempt t o v e r i f y these hypotheses.

The program o f the t h e s i s i s a b r i e f o u t l i n e of the

order f o l l o w e d . T h i s t h e s i s has the f o l l o w i n g program.

A. THE GOALS

The o b j e c t i v e of t h i s t h e s i s i s t o attempt t o v e r i f y

the h y p o t h e s i s t h a t the a p p l i c a t i o n o f P e r r y ' s neighbourhood

u n i t concept i n Vancouver i s not s u c c e s s f u l i n i t s s o c i a l

a s p e c t s , but i s s u c c e s s f u l i n i t s p h y s i c a l a s p e c t s .

B. THE PROGRAM

1. A n a l y z i n g the g o a l s and g o a l forms of P e r r y ' s

neighbourhood u n i t concepts

a. S t r e e t System

b. Church

c. Shopping Centre

d. Residence

e. R e c r e a t i o n

f . School

g. People and Environment

24

2. The study of the Renfrew neighbourhood i n Vancouver,

B.C. as a case study.

a. The Survey

b. The A n a l y s i s

c. The C o n c l u s i o n

1.

2.

C. THE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The summary

The c o n c l u s i o n

25

CHAPTER I I

THE ANALYSIS OF PERRY'S NEIGHBOURHOOD THEORY AND ITS SCHEME

INTRODUCTION

Perry's neighbourhood u n i t i s , as mentioned i n the f i r s t chapter, a gui d i n g scheme f o r designing urban r e s i d e n t i a l areas and should be o r g a n i c a l l y r e l a t e d to other p a r t s of the c i t y . The r e l a t i o n s h i p between a neighbourhood and the other areas of the c i t y can be shown by a l i n k a g e 1 diagram (see page 2 ) . Figure 1 (page 2) shows the f o l l o w i n g f u n c t i o n s :

1. The li n k a g e a]_ from neighbourhood N-]_ to CBD shows that people l i v i n g i n the neighbourhood can go to and from CBD where they can work, shop, p l a y , e t c .

2. The lin k a g e from neighbourhood N-j_ v i a the route b]_ to the suburbs shows that people have easy access t o the adjacent town or c i t y .

Linkage i s the manner or s t y l e of being u n i t e d (Webster's Seventh New C o l l e g i a t e D i c t i o n a r y , o_p_. c i t . . p. 492.) The roads, s t r e e t s , lanes, paths and other t r a n s i t areas are the a c t u a l l i n k a g e s among a l l the f u n c t i o n s i n the c i t y . A li n k a g e diagram shows the ab s t r a c t r e l a t i o n s of the f u n c t i o n s i n an area.

26

Legend: \ CBD. The central business d i s t r i c t of a c i t y .

N-j_, N^, N3, N^, N^, The neighbourhoods around CBD a l > a2> a3> a V a5> a6 ' C l i e l i n k a 8 e s between N^, N^, N^, N^,

N5, to CBD respectively.

b-j_, \>2> \>y *V ^5' b6 T t i e l i n k a e e s : f > r o m N i > N3> H4> N 5 ' to the suburbs respectively.

The linkage between and N2' . .• •" C 2 " " ^ " i N 2 " N3 C3 " " ' » N3 »

C4 » " " . W4 » N 5

C5 n ti > N 5 « N G

C 6 « « « N 6 « %

Figure 2.. Linkage Diagram of CBD and Surrounding Neighbourhoods

27

3. The l i n k a g e C ] _ between neighbourhoods N-j_ and N 2 and the l i n k a g e between (neighbourhoods and N]_ shows tha t people l i v i n g i n d i f f e r e n t neighbourhoods can oommunicate w i t h each other by using these l i n k a g e s .

4. A l l the p h y s i c a l l i n k a g e s could be considered as s o c i a l and economic l i n k a g e s too, because people could use the road t o go to work, shopping, v i s i t i n g or r e c r e a t i o n .

Figure 2 i s a l i n k a g e diagram which shows the r e l a t i o n ­ship between d i f f e r e n t f u n c t i o n a l areas i n a neighbourhood (see page 28).

From Figures 1 and 2 one may see the i n t e r n a l and e x t e r n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s of a neighbourhood. An a n a l y s i s of the f u n c t i o n s of p h y s i c a l element of a neighbourhood i s given below. Two questions must be answered when an a l y z i n g the f u n c t i o n s of elements i n a neighbourhood

1. I s the element necessary t o the c e r t a i n aspect of neighbourhood?

2. Does Perry's scheme l o c a t e the element i n the r i g h t place?

The a n a l y s i s i n c l u d e s a d i s c u s s i o n of the f o l l o w i n g p h y s i c a l ' elements; A. S t r e e t System; B. Residence; C. Church; D. Shopping Centre; E. Recreation F a c i l i t i e s ; F. School; G. People and Environment.

28

Legend:

1. School

2. Church

3. Community Hall

4. Park or Playground^

5. Residence

6. General Store

7. Street

8. Path

S

C

M

P

O

G

Figure 3 . Linkage Diagram of a Neighbourhood.'s.Functions

A. STREET SYSTEM

The unit i s bounded by a r t e r i a l routes on a l l sides and i s provided with a special i n t e r n a l street system which should be designed to f a c i l i t a t e c i r c u l a t i o n within the unit and to discourage i t s use by through t r a f f i c . The a r t e r i a l street should f i t into the whole network of communication of the c i t y . The neighbourhood i s linked by the a r t e r i a l street to the city-core and to the other component parts of the urban

2 area.

Streets are very important i n planning. The vehicular t r a f f i c oh the street can be very heavy and f o r a pedestrian to cross a busy street without having t r a f f i c signals i s very dangerous. The street system comprised of a gr i d i r o n pattern i s easy f o r through t r a f f i c to use. A c u r v i l i n e a r street system discourages through t r a f f i c ; i n addition, i t gives a variety to the size, shape, and orientation of the buil d i n g l o t s which w i l l provide a good'setting f o r the a r c h i t e c t u r a l design of the i n d i v i d u a l houses..

Perry's street system i s very good i n p r i n c i p l e ; i t i s quite hard to apply. I f i t i s overdone, then the whole neigh­bourhood w i l l become a maze which gives d i f f i c u l t y to the outside people i n v i s i t i n g t h e i r friends i n t h i s area.

Perry, op_. e i t . , pp. 51-2.

30

Figure 2 (p . 28) shows the l a y o u t o f the s t r ee t system

i n the neighbourhood.

B . RESIDENCE

A neighbourhood i s an area f o r people to l i v e i n , and

the posses s ion of a house and a p l o t o f l a n d i s one of man's

pr imary a s p i r a t i o n s . D i f f e r e n t people have d i f f e r e n t s i z e s of

f a m i l i e s , incomes, and d i f f e r e n t t a s t e s . They need d i f f e r e n t

k inds of houses. In order to meet these needs, a neighbourhood

should p rov ide v a r i o u s k i n d s of houses, such as detached houses,

semi-detached houses, s i d e - b y - s i d e duplexes , up-and-down duplexes ,

row houses and apartments. A neighbourhood w i t h the same s t y l e ,

s i z e and scheme of house w i l l become monotonous. Too many

v a r i e t i e s of houses w i l l make the environment complex and

c h a o t i c . P lanners should group the housing accord ing to i t s

s i z e and he igh t and a r c h i t e c t s should apply t h e i r magic hand to

r e l a t e them i n a harmonious way, even i f they des ign them as

i n d i v i d u a l u n i t s . But ' s h o u l d ' does not mean they would or

a c t u a l l y c o u l d ; when people l i k e to have i n d i v i d u a l freedom,

they have to su f f e r from an inharmonious environment.

A r es idence i s a b a s i c l i v i n g u n i t i n a neighbourhood.

That a neighbourhood i s good or not should be measured by the

f u n c t i o n of the res idences q u a n t i t a t i v e l y and q u a l i t a t i v e l y .

A r es idence as a b a s i c l i v i n g u n i t i s a complex i n

i t s e l f . For example, a couple have two c h i l d r e n ; one i s a boy

31

s i x y e a r s o l d , the other i s a teenage g i r l . Each of them has

d i f f e r e n t a c t i v i t i e s which g e n e r a l l y need d i f f e r e n t f a c i l i t i e s .

T h i s f a m i l y needs at l e a s t a three-bedroom house. Moreover,

the boy should have a p l a y area; the b o y T s f a t h e r , being a

s c h o l a r , needs a study room; the boy's mother, being a p r o f e s ­

s i o n a l p a i n t e r , ought to have a good s i z e d s t u d i o ; the boy's

s i s t e r , p r a c t i c i n g piano every n i g h t , needs a sound-proof

chamber. Outside of these i n d i v i d u a l t h i n g s , they need a

l i v i n g room, d i n i n g room, bathroom, k i t c h e n and storage rooms,

e t c . T h i s l i v i n g u n i t needs an environment p r o v i d i n g a p l a y ­

ground f o r the boy to p l a y , a school f o r the boy's education;

a shopping centre i n which the boy's mother can buy t h e i r

d a i l y goods, a s e n i o r h i g h s c h o o l f o r the educ a t i o n of the

teenage g i r l , good access t o the highway or speedway by which

the f a t h e r can go to h i s working p l a c e c o n v e n i e n t l y . A n e i g h ­

bourhood may have 1,000 l i v i n g u n i t s , some of which may be very

simple and some very complex. The f u n c t i o n s o f these 1,000

u n i t s are woven t o g e t h e r . The planner should e l i m i n a t e any

c o n f l i c t , encourage t h e i r common i n t e r e s t s and f u l f i l l the

b a s i c needs of these u n i t s .

P e r r y ' s scheme d i d g i v e the above convenience i n the

neighbourhood. From the r e s i d e n t ' s viewpoint, P e r r y ' s n e i g h ­

bourhood u n i t scheme i s q u i t e good.

The r e l a t i o n s h i p between r e s i d e n c e and the other

f u n c t i o n s of the neighbourhood i s shown i n F i g u r e 2, page 28.

32

C. CHURCH

The d e s i r e to worship i s one of man's b a s i c i n s t i n c t s

and i n f a c t the p l a c e of worship i s the f o c a l p o i n t of most

sett l e m e n t s i n most areas of the world. In North America the

C h r i s t i a n Church i s the major p l a c e f o r people g a t h e r i n g t o

worship God. A neighbourhood, as a l a r g e l i v i n g u n i t , should

have a church and the best p l a c e f o r i t a c c o r d i n g t o P e r r y ' s

scheme, i s i n the centre of the neighbourhood o r at the perim­

e t e r or boundary of the u n i t . How many churches a neighbour­

hood should have or what denomination the churches may be P e r r y

d i d not mention and th e r e are no u s e f u l data t h a t can be

suggested. T h i s depends upon the percentages of v a r i o u s

denominations of b e l i e v e r s among the people and the s i z e and

d e n s i t y o f the p o p u l a t i o n .

The f i f t h aspect of I s a a c s ' c r i t i c i s m i n d i c a t e d t h a t the

church cannot be planned t o f i t i n t o a neighbourhood u n i t system.

The reason was t h a t the s e r v i c e spheres of the church do not

c o i n c i d e w i t h the neighbourhood's. H i s c r i t i c i s m i s j u s t i f i e d

up t o a p o i n t but i t cannot be proved everywhere. People e i t h e r

can go to other neighbourhood churches once or twice a week to

worship or can share the use of the same church i n the n e i g h ­

bourhood (even the community c e n t r e ) . ^

3chicago Commons and oth e r s e t t l e m e n t s have welcomed many church groups t o share the use of t h e i r b u i l d i n g s : T a y l o r , Graham, Chicago Commons through F o r t y Years, Chicago, 111., 1936, p. 193.

33

The Church has an important f u n c t i o n i n i n t e g r a t i n g

r a c i a l and economic c l a s s e s . I t i s unfortunate t h a t the

Church has not accomplished t h i s g o a l . I f the Church s t i l l

cannot o f f e r v a l u a b l e i d e a s or methods of j o i n i n g people

t o g e t h e r , then the d e c l i n i n g ^ " number of b e l i e v e r s w i l l b r i n g

about a change i n the s t r u c t u r e of the neighbourhood.

D. SHOPPING CENTRE

L o c a l neighbourhood s t o r e s are one of the most important

f o c a l p o i n t s i n a r e s i d e n t i a l a r ea. T h i s f o c a l p o i n t can be

c o n s i d e r e d a s o c i a l meeting p l a c e . For example, the youth of

the area a u t o m a t i c a l l y f l o c k to the nearest cafe where they can

d r i n g t h e i r T c o k e s ' and l i s t e n to the 'top f i f t y ' r e c o r d s on

the juke boxes; the o l d e r a d o l e s c e n t s w i l l meet w i t h t h e i r

'dates', and the a d u l t s w i l l drop i n , o f f and on, f o r b a c h e l o r

meals, c i g a r e t t e s , and the l i k e . A c c o r d i n g to P e r r y ' s scheme,

the sphere of the shopping centre w i l l o v e r l a p s e v e r a l n e i g h ­

bourhoods. Such a centre has been d e f i n e d as:

A group of commercial e s t a b l i s h m e n t s planned, developed and managed as a u n i t , with o f f - s t r e e t p a r k i n g p r o v i d e d on the p r o p e r t y , and r e l a t e d i n l o c a t i o n , s i z e and type of shop to the t r a d e area t h a t the u n i t serves - g e n e r a l l y i n an o u t l y i n g suburban area.5

^ E r i c and Mary Josephson, Man Alone, New York, D e l l P u b l i s h i n g Co. Inc., 1963, P « 167.

5Urban Land I n s t i t u t e T e c h n i c a l B u l l e t i n , no. 20, J u l y 1953, p. 6.

34

A study of shopping h a b i t s , ^ revealed t h a t 80-90 per cent of shopping i s done by -women -who do most of t h e i r downtown shopping around noon and v i s i t suburban centres approximately between 4 and 6 P.M. One-third of purchasing i s i m p u l s i v e , so that a wide s e l e c t i o n of goods at a convenient l o c a l store w i l l pay o f f . People g e n e r a l l y buy t h e i r 'convenience' goods l o c a l l y and 'higher order goods' (such as c l o t h e s , f u r n i t u r e , t e l e v i s i o n , etc.) from downtown. Recently the improvement of the q u a l i t y of goods, the sca l e of the operation, the p r o v i s i o n of parking f a c i l i t i e s and the ease of a c c e s s i b i l i t y of the l o c a l shopping centre i n d i c a t e s that people l i k e to shop l o c a l l y . ?

E. RECREATION FACILITIES THE PLAY AREAS, PARKS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Recreation i s good f o r our minds and bodies. People need a place f o r c u l t u r e and new id e a s ; t h e i r nervous systems need r e l a x a t i o n from the pressure of modern l i f e and t h e i r bodies b e n e f i t from sun and good e x e r c i s e . The object of l i f e nowadays i s to have a higher c u l t u r e and a h e a l t h i e r c i v i l i z ­a t i o n — strong i n mind and body, wealthy and happy.

6 I b i d .

?Urban Land I n s t i t u t e T e c hnical B u l l e t i n , no. 24«

35

A neighbourhood should p rov ide a r e c r e a t i o n a l area which can

achieve these t h i n g s . Someone may argue tha t people i n the

urban area are m o b i l e ; people w i t h ca rs can go any p lace they

want; the re i s no need to have a community centre or park i n

the neighbourhood. T h i s i s t rue on ly to a c e r t a i n degree.

In f a c t there are many o ther f a c t o r s which i n d i c a t e the need

f o r r e c r e a t i o n a l space and f a c i l i t i e s i n the neighbourhood.

These a r e :

a . C h i l d r e n need p l ay areas near t h e i r homes.

b . Old people and mothers w i t h babies need a park to

take a walk i n every day.

c . People who cannot o r do not want to j o i n i n the

weekend exodus; who have weekend s h i f t - w o r k ; who have i n f i r m

dependents; who do not have a car o r .do not l i k e the fuss and

b u s t l e o f the l o n g , hot d r i v e s away from t h e i r homes do need

r e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s i n the neighbourhood.

d . Cars g ive convenience to people but o f f e r problems

t o o . I n downtown areas the i n c r e a s i n g d i f f i c u l t i e s of pa rk ing

d iscourage people from spending t h e i r l e i s u r e t ime i n the

downtown area and d r i v e people back on to t h e i r own r e s o u r c e s .

The p a t t e r n o f r e c r e a t i o n a l areas of P e r r y ' s ne ighbour­

hood scheme i s shown i n F igu re 2 (p . 26). A park i s i n the

neighbourhood cent re and p l a y areas are evenly d i s t r i b u t e d

36

through the whole a r e a . A community centre near the park i s

a c c e s s i b l e t o the whole neighbourhood.

R e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s g e n e r a l l y are d i v i d e d i n t o

a c t i v e and p a s s i v e . Standards f o r r e c r e a t i o n w i t h a f i g u r e

o f t e n ac r e s per 1,000 persons were accepted as the i d e a l f o r

the o v e r a l l c i t y p i c t u r e f o r both a c t i v e and p a s s i v e r e c r e a t i o n ­

a l f a c i l i t i e s .

1. The Park or P l a y Area

The p l a y area of a neighbourhood should provide the

f o l l o w i n g itemsI

a. Small space f o r p r e - s c h o o l c h i l d r e n — t o t l o t s

b. Apparatus area f o r o l d e r c h i l d r e n

c. Open space f o r i n f o r m a l p l a y

d. S u r f a c e d area f o r court games, such as t e n n i s ,

h a n d b a l l , v o l l e y b a l l , e t c .

P l a y i n g f i e l d f o r games, such as s o f t b a l l , touch

f o o t b a l l , mass games, e t c .

f . P a d d l i n g p o o l

g. S h e l t e r and d r e s s i n g rooms wit h t o i l e t s , wash

f a c i l i t i e s , d r i n k i n g f o u n t a i n s , and maybe an area f o r q u i e t

games, i n s t r u c t i o n , c r a f t s , e t c . — although these a c t i v i t i e s

37

are b e t t e r c a r r i e d out i n p a r t of the community centre,

which should a d j o i n the playground.

TABLE I

RECREATIONAL ACREAGE AND POPULATION OF A NEIGHBOURHOOD

F a c i l i t y 1,000

Persons (acres)

3,000 Persons (acres)

5,000 Persons (acres)

Playground A r e a ^ 2.75 4.00 6.00

Neighbourhood Park (Area i n normal housing development) 1.50 2.50 3.50

Neighbourhood P a r k 1 1

(Area i n m u l t i - f a m i l y development where no p r i v a t e yards) 2.00 4.00 6.00

" D e r i v e d froml American P u b l i c H e a l t h A s s o c i a t i o n , P l a n n i n g the Neighbourhood, P u b l i c A d m i n i s t r a t i o n S e r v i c e , Chicago, 1948, p. 4$.

9 Nat i o n a l R e c r e a t i o n A s s o c i a t i o n Standard, See P l a n n i n g the Neighbourhood U n i t , op. c i t . , p. 48.

-^Committee on the Hygiene of Housing, A.P.H.A. - ojo. c i t . , p. 49.

1 1 I b i d .

38

2. The Community Centre The community centre serves many of the recreational

requirements of the neighbourhood. The term 'community centre* has a variety of connotations i n Canada.

I t i s usually interpreted as being a single building, which must serve a panoramic function. Under one roof provision must be made to meet the educational, s o c i a l and recreational needs of the entire community.

Included under these broad headings are l i b r a r y f a c i l i t i e s , clubrooms for men and women, teenagers and children; equipped with gymnasium, bowling a l l e y s , swimming pools, auditorium, separate accommodation f o r nursery schools, health services and children's a c t i v i t i e s , a l l requirements of an e f f i c i e n t community centre ... and every allowance should be made fo r growth and change.12

The elements l i s t e d above may not be found i n the ex i s t i n g neighbourhood because (1) the l i s t e d elements overlap with the element of the neighbourhood's school; (2) people i n the area are not interested i n certain a c t i v i t i e s ; (3) the neighbourhood does not have enough population to provide such equipment.

Co-operation between school and community centre i s needed. The school gymnasium, stage, l i b r a r y and playing f i e l d should be available to everyone i n the area af t e r school hours and the community centre should set aside special periods

-^Gwen F i f e , Community Centres i n Canada. Toronto, Ryerson Press, 1 9 4 5 .

3 9

for school use such as swimming pool, h a l l , tennis courts and other playing equipment.

F. SCHOOL

Perry's neighbourhood consisted of an elementary school, church, community h a l l , open space, residences and l o c a l shops, a l l of which were organically i n t e r - r e l a t e d by a street system. The size of the neighbourhood was determined by the optimum size of the elementary school and a l l the other functions were i n d i r e c t l y related to the school as w e l l . The school i s the key factor i n the neighbourhood design concept. The s t a r t i n g point i n analyzing Perry's neighbourhood theory should be the school. The relationship between school and other functions of the neighbourhood was shown i n Figure 2,

p. 26. The street w i l l bring a l l the supplies from outside the neighbourhood and a l l the students within the neighbour­hood to the school.

1. The Goals of the Neighbourhood School F i r s t : the neighbourhood school provides the cheap­

est, safest and fastest means of transporting the c h i l d from home to school. The farther a school i s from the home, the more time i s spent i n the transportation process, the more streets, especially major streets, must be crossed by the walking c h i l d , and the more the parents are obliged to transport the c h i l d with expensive public transportation.

40

Second: many educators b e l i e v e s c h o o l s should be

s m a l l .

T h i r d : "Educators b e l i e v e d t h a t c h i l d r e n b e n e f i t t e d

from the s e c u r i t y t h a t came from l e a r n i n g and l i v i n g i n the

same f a m i l i a r environment".-^ They f e l t t h a t c h i l d r e n should

be able to have t h e i r classmates as playmates a f t e r s c h o o l

and t h a t they should be able to r e t u r n t o school f o r a f t e r -15

school c l a s s e s and programs. ^

F o u r t h : T h i s major purpose i s q u i t e complex but best

summarized by saying t h a t educators want a c l o s e r e l a t i o n s h i p

between the school and the f a m i l y . The neighbourhood sc h o o l

should, and o f t e n does, serve as an i n v i t a t i o n to p a r e n t s to

know, co n f i d e i n , and work wi t h i t s s t a f f . T h i s o f f e r s a

good chance f o r c o n s t r u c t i v e community p r e s s u r e s on the

c e n t r a l s c h o o l a d m i n i s t r a t i o n and the p o l i t i c a l a u t h o r i t i e s

f o r l o c a l s chool improvements. Thus the neighbourhood sc h o o l

-'N.L. Engelhardt, N.L. Engelhardt, J r . , and Stanton Leg g e t t , P l a n n i n g Elementary School B u i l d i n g s , 1953*

! ^ F r e d Hechinger, "Neighbourhood School Concept," New York Times, June 26, 1963•

• ' P a t r i c i a Cays Sexton, E d u c a t i o n and Income: I n e q u a l i t i e s In Our P u b l i c Schools, New York, The V i k i n g P r e s s , 1961, p. 115.

4 1

can r e f l e c t the values and goals of the community i t serves, and can gain the community(s l o y a l t y and support. Stated from a d i f f e r e n t perspective, the neighbourhood school i s a r e f l e c t i o n of the b e l i e f that education should be l o c a l l y controlled.

2. An Evaluation of the Goals of the Neighbourhood School.

(a) The transportation problem: t h i s i s governed by three f a c t o r s ; time and walking distance, safety, and cost.

i . Time and walking distance. Most educators say an elementary school c h i l d should not spend more than t h i r t y minutes getting to school and that a secondary school c h i l d . should not spend more than an hour. Taking these as c r i t e r i a , a c h i l d can walk or bike considerably more than three quarters of a m i l e . ^ 0 The size of the neighbourhood could be larger than the one with a quarter-mile radius suggested by Perry.-'-''7

i i . Safety. I t i s quite important to keep the c h i l d from accidents but i t appears unreasonable to assume that the danger of accidents increases d i r e c t l y with the number of major intersections he crosses. Experience proves that the c h i l d ' s safety i s more related to the types of t r a f f i c

-^National Council on School House Construction, Guide fo r Planning School Plants, 1 9 5 8 .

-^Perry, OJD. c i t . p. 5 3 *

42

s i t u a t i o n s he c o n f r o n t s r a t h e r than the d i s t a n c e he walks.

For example, a c h i l d i s s a f e r c r o s s i n g a major i n t e r s e c t i o n

with t r a f f i c c o n t r o l s than a minor i n t e r s e c t i o n without

c o n t r o l s . How to c o n t r o l the t r a f f i c f o r the p e d e s t r i a n

should be co n s i d e r e d by the t r a f f i c engineers and

the p l a n n e r s . I f s a f e t y i s paramount, the best s o l u t i o n i s

to d r i v e the c h i l d r e n from home to sch o o l by p r i v a t e car,

p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n o r a sch o o l bus.

i i i . Cost. I t i s reasonable t o ask why spend money

t r a n s p o r t i n g c h i l d r e n t o school? Why not spend money f o r the

more important f a c t o r s of education, such as s a l a r i e s , b u i l d i n g s ,

books? The neighbourhood s c h o o l i s a b e t t e r s o l u t i o n than

school buses. Now, most of the e x i s t i n g neighbourhood s c h o o l s

of lower income r e s i d e n t s are very l i m i t e d i n environment,

l i b r a r y equipment and t e a c h e r s . For the time being, to t r a n s ­

port the c h i l d t o a good s c h o o l i n s t e a d of s t a y i n g i n the

poor neighbourhood school which c o u l d not be developed up to

the standard i n a short time, and could be considered as a

temporary s o l u t i o n but not the b a s i c one.

(b) The School S i z e Problem

The second g o a l o f the neighbourhood school i s to

keep the sch o o l small -- the i d e a l s i z e f o r the elementary

sc h o o l u n i t i s 400 p u p i l s . I f there i s a l o c a t i o n drawing

2,000 p u p i l s , i t i s q u i t e easy to b u i l d f i v e separate

43

buildings at the one location or one building divided into f i v e d i v i s i o n s . The school i s s i m i l a r to an i n d u s t r i a l plant. I f organized c a r e f u l l y with equipment, teachers, administration, etc., i t does not matter how large i t i s .

18

I t can s t i l l be very good. One authority on the subject has said, "When a school plant i s actually planned i n every d e t a i l to care f o r the enrollment i t houses, the question of optimum size i s s e t t l e d " , ^ and therefore the school should emphasize the location where i t can best of f e r a chance to the c h i l d to learn and exercise — for example, located near a zoo, museum, a t h l e t i c centre or l i b r a r y ,

(c) Child Security The t h i r d goal of the neighbourhood school i s

providing the c h i l d with a sense of security by having the school as.a part of the home environment. Yet two recent studies, ' have pointed out that lower-class students

1 8 John S. Hadsell, Chairman, De Facto Segregation i n

the Berkeley Public Schools, Berkeley, C a l i f o r n i a , Unified School D i s t r i c t , I963.

Frank Riessman, The C u l t u r a l l y Deprived Child, New York, Harper and Brothers, X 9 6 2 . .

^Seaton, i b i d . 2 1Engelhardt, i b i d , p. 53•

44

f e e l q u i t e i n s e c u r e i n s c h o o l , indeed f e e l a l i e n a t e d i n

scho o l , even though the s c h o o l i s c l o s e t o home. The f e e l ­

i n g of s e c u r i t y or i n s e c u r i t y i s a f e e l i n g which depends

upon the a t t i t u d e of the l o w e r - c l a s s home toward education

and the a t t i t u d e of the sc h o o l s toward the l o w e r - c l a s s

c h i l d . 2 2 C h i l d r e n coming from d i f f e r e n t backgrounds have

d i f f e r e n t f e e l i n g s toward s c h o o l . The c h i l d r e n from the

lower c l a s s f e e l i n s e c u r e and the c h i l d r e n from the middle

or h i g h e r c l a s s f e e l secure. The f e e l i n g o f i n s e c u r i t y

i s not t h e r e f o r e because of the l o c a t i o n o f the s c h o o l ,

(d) Parent Support o f Schools

The f o u r t h g o a l o f the neighbourhood school i s a

cl o s e r e l a t i o n s h i p between the school and the f a m i l y .

Schools need the support of the stu d e n t s ' parents, but

there i s no evidence i n d i c a t i n g t h a t p h y s i c a l p r o x i m i t y i s

a necessary c o n d i t i o n f o r t h i s support. S u p e r v i s i n g needs

p h y s i c a l p r o x i m i t y — the good s u p e r v i s i n g t h a t should come

from s p e c i a l i s t s or a u t h o r i t i e s . The educa t i o n o f c h i l d r e n

needs the co - o p e r a t i o n o f te a c h e r s and p a r e n t s . The

te a c h e r s teach the c h i l d r e n at scho o l ; the parents teach

them at home. They teach at d i f f e r e n t times and p l a c e s

but can communicate by phone or l e t t e r . There i s no

n e c e s s i t y f o r p h y s i c a l p r o x i m i t y .

A l l a n Blackman, " P l a n n i n g and the I n t e g r a t e d School", I n t e g r a t e d Education, v o l . 11, No. 4 , August-September, 19&4, p. 3«

4. Re-evaluation The four arguments that the four purposes of the

neighbourhood school do not have a very strong base and the elementary school i s not an appropriate factor to determine the size of neighbourhood. In addition, authoritative opinion indicates that schools should be located i n a pleasant environment. 23

The writer thinks that the size of a neighbourhood should not be determined by an elementary school. Even the time and distance of t r a v e l l i n g to a school are not c r i t i c a l factors and most parents w i l l pay bus fare. I t does not, however, j u s t i f y the fact that a neighbourhood should not or could not have a good elementary school located at the neighbourhood centre. Everyone agrees that a school located i n a depressed neighbourhood i s not good for the children. The c i t y should t r y to renew these depressed areas. No area starts depressed from i t s founding, and the centre of the neighbourhood, i f i t i s a well-designed neighbourhood, should be a pleasant location fo r an elementary school.

G. THE PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

According to t h e i r needs, people do change t h e i r environment by introducing new designs, operations or new

Engelhardt, i b i d .

46

i d e a s . They may a l s o move t o a new environment. As l o n g

as an environment i s o r g a n i z e d i t molds people i n t o a

c e r t a i n way of l i f e . The l i f e p a t t e r n of the people i s

determined by t h e i r community s t r u c t u r e which having .

organic f u n c t i o n s p r o v i d e s jobs, s t o r e s , r e c r e a t i o n a l

f a c i l i t i e s and other k i n d s of s e r v i c e s f o r the people such

as schools, h o s p i t a l s , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , water, power, gas

and sewers. Any scheme of an urban u n i t should be based

on the l i f e p a t t e r n of the people.

The economic f a c t o r i s very important t o an urban

environment. The r a t e of economic growth i s the r a t e of

community growth, and v i c e - v e r s a .

The p h y s i c a l environment i s another important

f a c t o r . Some may argue t h a t nowadays people may change

any p h y s i c a l environment t o whatever they want i t to be.

That i s t r u e i f i t i s worth a l o t of money t o change i t .

The most c r i t i c a l t h i n g i n the p h y s i c a l environment i s the

d i s t a n c e one has t o t r a v e l t o get to the p l a c e of d e s t i n ­

a t i o n . T h e r e f o r e an important c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n an e n v i r o n ­

ment i s the road or s t r e e t system.

People are s o c i a l beings; when they get together,

they w i l l have s o c i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s . People l i v i n g i n

d i f f e r e n t environments w i l l have d i f f e r e n t k i n d s of

r e l a t i o n s h i p s . For example: r u r a l people need to help

each other i n t h e i r work; a f t e r work, they a s s o c i a t e w i t h

each other i n r e c r e a t i o n -- c h a t t i n g , dancing, d r i n k i n g ,

and games. Urban people have a d i f f e r e n t p a t t e r n of s o c i a l

a c t i v i t i e s . 2 ^ They work f o r d i f f e r e n t o r g a n i z a t i o n s or

d i f f e r e n t departments of the same o r g a n i z a t i o n . Because

most of them have r e c e i v e d s p e c i a l i z e d t r a i n i n g , they

a s s o c i a t e with each other, i n s t e a d of by p r o f e s s i o n , by

i n t e r e s t or o r g a n i z a t i o n s which are r e l a t e d t o t h e i r

p e r s o n a l r o l e s , such as the Rotary Club, or the l i k e .

The g o a l of P e r r y ' s neighbourhood theory, as

mentioned i n the f i r s t chapter, i s to provide a p h y s i c a l

environment which w i l l regenerate and m a i n t a i n primary,

f a c e - t o - f a c e s o c i a l c o n t a c t s and a s s o c i a t i o n s w i t h i n the

c i t y . P e r r y d e r i v e d h i s neighbourhood u n i t scheme, an

environment f o r urban people, from h i s t h e o r y . The scheme

i s very w e l l o r g a n i z e d . People l i v i n g i n P e r r y ' s neighbour­

hood have a l l the necessary f a c i l i t i e s such as school,

community centre, churches, park, playgrounds, and 'shops.

The r e s u l t of P e r r y ' s neighbourhood might not be s u c c e s s f u l

i n i t s s o c i a l aspect, but not because the scheme d i d not

provide a good environment. Rather, i t i s because the

community s t r u c t u r e l e a d s people to have d i f f e r e n t k i n d s

of r e l a t i o n s h i p s .

2 ^ R o l a n d L. Warren, The Community i n America, Chicago, Rand McNallv and Comnanv. 1963. D . ^L.

48

CONCLUSION

Except f o r the s o c i a l aspects ( d e f i c i e n c i e s ) , i t i s concluded that there are no other defects i n Perry's neighbourhood u n i t . The arguments to support t h i s con­clusion are l i s t e d as follows?

1. People l i v i n g i n d i f f e r e n t areas have different s o c i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s . Why should urban people have the same s o c i a l relationships as r u r a l people? Perry's imposition on urban people of a face-to-face relationship i s a mistake.

2. The ethnic group, no matter whether there i s a neighbourhood scheme provided or not, w i l l cluster them­selves into certain areas. This i s a s o c i a l problem which should not be used to attack Perry's neighbourhood un i t .

3. According to C h r i s t a l l e r ' s space theory, urban planning has to have a hierarchy system. A neighbourhood unit can be e a s i l y adopted i n the hierarchy. I f i t can be used e a s i l y , why should we destroy the theory?

4. In i t s application, the planner can vary the scheme to f i t into the master plan of the whole urban area. As

D

the writer mentioned i n the f i r s t chapter, a theory i s a guide i n doing actual work. How to use i t i s a planner's job. A f a i l u r e i n applying i t i s not the theory's f a u l t .

5. P e r r y ' s i d e a s have been used f o r more than t h i r t y

y e a r s and "from Canada t o Mexico, the b a s i c E e r r y neighbour­

hood u n i t , with only minor m o d i f i c a t i o n s , has served as the

development module."^ That the t h e o r y has been a p p l i e d

f o r so many years and i n so many c o u n t r i e s , proves i t s

v a l u e .

^ A m e r i c a n S o c i e t y of P l a n n i n g O f f i c i a l s , Neighbourhood Boundaries, P l a n n i n g A d v i s o r y S e r v i c e Information Report No. 1 4 1 , Chicago, I 9 6 I , p. 8 .

50

CHAPTER I I I

A NEIGHBOURHOOD SURVEY IN THE RENFREW HEIGHTS AREA OF VANCOUVER, B.C.

I n t r o d u c t i o n

A survey i s a s c i e n t i f i c method of c o l l e c t i n g , a n a l y z i n g

and i n t e r p r e t i n g data on a s p e c i f i c s u b j e c t -which i s to be

s t u d i e d . A survey must be or g a n i z e d very c a r e f u l l y , and the

d i f f e r e n t processes concerned w i t h c o l l e c t i o n , c l a s s i f i c a t i o n

and i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of data must be c a r r i e d out o b j e c t i v e l y and

s i n c e r e l y , w i t h i n t e g r i t y and without b i a s . T h i s technique

h e l p s the r e s e a r c h e r t o examine a p a r t i c u l a r concept or to

i n v e s t i g a t e a s p e c i f i c problem i n d e t a i l . " S t u d i e s must be

i m p a r t i a l : the ta s k i s n e i t h e r to prove t h a t a p a r t i c u l a r

p o l i c y i s c o r r e c t , nor t o suggest t h a t a p a r t i c u l a r o b j e c t i v e

would be d e s i r a b l e ; t h i s may emerge from the studies.""'" The

a n a l y s i s of data from the survey only r e v e a l s f a c t s . "The man

who c l a s s i f i e s f a c t s o f any k i n d whatever, who sees t h e i r

mutual r e l a t i o n and d e s c r i b e s the sequences, i s a p p l y i n g the

s c i e n t i f i c method." The data themselves are not s c i e n c e ; the

methods of c l a s s i f y i n g , i n t e r p r e t i n g and a p p l y i n g are s c i e n c e .

1 John N. Jackson, Surveys f o r Town and Country Planning, London, Hutchinson and Co. L t d . , 1963, p. 2 0 .

2 K. Pearson, The Grammar of Sc i e n c e , 1911, pp. 10-12.

51

In order to accomplish an effective survey, the problems to be solved must f i r s t be i d e n t i f i e d . This requires the clear formulation of the objectives of the survey, an' e x p l i c i t state­ment of the problem i n meaningful terms and the rigorous exclusion of subjects marginal to the central theme of the investigation.3

The survey can be done by observation, questionnaires, interviews, and by the study of ex i s t i n g sources of information. The problem and the object of the survey w i l l determine which method or combination of methods ought to be used.

Sampling i s an important technique within the survey model, and involves two important and i n t e r r e l a t e d aspects: (1) the size of the sample; and (2) the selection of the sample. A sample must avoid bias i n the selection of the population and must not be influenced by human preference. As Dr. Jackson indicates, "each unit enjoys an equal or known chance of selection. No section or group can be favoured, the sample should be representative".^"

A. Reasons f o r the Survey i n the Renfrew Heights Area

The object of t h i s survey i s to attempt to v e r i f y the proposed hypothesis, that i s "that the application of Perry's

^Jackson, Surveys f o r Town and Country Planning, p. 20.

^ I b i d . , p. 62.

52

neighbourhood unit concept i n Vancouver i s not successful i n i t s s o c i a l aspects but i s successful i n i t s physical aspects."

After an intensive investigation,5 the writer determined that there were no neighbourhoods i n Vancouver which were designed exactly according to Perry's neighbourhood unit concept, but that there were several neighbourhoods which were developed using some of Perry's ideas, such as Renfrew Heights, Fraserview, Skeena Terrace, and the Strathcona Public Housing areas. Of these areas, there i s a section of Renfrew Heights which con­forms very closely to Perry's neighbourhood unit concept, namely that area bounded by the Grandview Highway on the north, Rupert Street on the west, Boundary Road on the east, and Twenty-second Avenue on the south. (see Appendix 1, Map 1, Page 87). I t i s t h i s area, hereafter described as the Renfrew neighbourhood, which has been chosen to test the hypothesis.

B. The Planning of This Survey

The method of survey used here combines direct observ­ation, the use of questionnaires and interviews, and the study of e x i s t i n g sources of information. The w r i t e r f i r s t observed the Renfrew area by d r i v i n g around i t , studying the history of the community and the school, and by Interviewing such key people

5Mr. Wiesman, Assistant Planner, and Mr. J.B. Chaster, Planner for Vancouver City, provided a great deal of assistance here.

53

as Mr. J . Smith, the P r i n c i p a l of the Renfrew Elementary School. In view of the f a c t that the i n i t i a l observations were only s u p e r f i c i a l , t h a t e x i s t i n g l i t e r a t u r e r e l a t e d to the area was very meagre, and that there was l i t t l e time f o r i n t e n s i v e i n t e r v i e w i n g , a questionnaire was developed and a p p l i e d .

In order to o b t a i n a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e c r o s s - s e c t i o n of the area, a random sampling technique was used (see Appendix 2,

Map 2, Page 88) to determine where the questionnaires would be d i s t r i b u t e d . These questionnaires were d i v i d e d i n t o 9 p a r t s (see Appendix 4, Page 91 , 9 2 ) . Questions one and two are designed to determine the s t a b i l i t y of l i v i n g i n the Renfrew Neighbourhood. Questions three and four are designed to determine p u b l i c opinion about ~X>he s t r e e t system of t h i s area. Question f i v e l o o k s f o r s p e c i f i c reasons why people choose to l i v e t h e r e . The l a s t f o u r items are organized i n a t a b u l a r form, each i n c l u d e s f o u r or more questions which are r e l a t e d to d i f f e r e n t aspects of the neighbourhood, such as the school, church, park and s t o r e s . Answers to these l a s t f o u r items were used p r i m a r i l y to give support to Question f i v e .

A l e t t e r was attached to each questionnaire e x p l a i n i n g the purpose, f u n c t i o n , scope and the reasons f o r choosing t h i s area. For the convenience of the r e c i p i e n t s a r e t u r n envelope, addressed and stamped, was enclosed.

Questionnaires were dis t r i b u t e d to 105 of the_625 houses i n the area. Sixteen r e p l i e s were received, representing a return of f i f t e e n per cent of those d i s t r i b u t e d . Since t h i s return was considered low, i t was decided to follow up the questionnaires by interviewing another twenty-four residences, also chosen on a random basis to give a sample of f o r t y , representing 6 . 3 per cent of the t o t a l area under study. The locations of the i n d i v i d u a l r e p l i e s and interviews are outlined on Map 2 of Appendix 3 , page 88.

C. The Renfrew Heights Community 1. The development

No detailed l i t e r a t u r e could be found on the history of t h i s area. However, a newspaper a r t i c l e was found which stated the following:

Town planning i s emphasized i n the lay-out of 601 homes fo r rent to veterans i n the Renfrew Height housing project being b u i l t by Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Site of the homes i s 120 acres, formerly' uncleared land, largely c i t y owned between Grandview Highway, Rupert Street, Boundary Road and 22nd Avenue.° The development was started i n 1948 and most of the

housing completed i n 1949* The o r i g i n a l plans f o r the area included f u l l y paved streets and boulevards. An adequate commercial and shopping zone, with recreation centres, churches

°v"ancouver Daily Province, "New Renfrew Scheme i s Planned 'Town'," October 2, 1948, P- 12.

55

and schools, was to be c o n s t r u c t e d when the houses were b u i l t .

P r o v i s i o n had been made f o r park and playground areas, emphas­

i z i n g s a f e t y c o n s i d e r a t i o n s f o r the c h i l d r e n . These p l a n s have

only been p a r t i a l l y c a r r i e d out s i n c e there are p r e s e n t l y no

commercial f a c i l i t i e s w i t h i n the ar e a . However the o r i g i n a l

s t r e e t p l a n has been f o l l o w e d and th e r e are no g r i d roads or

through s t r e e t s i n the ar e a .

The Renfrew Elementary School, l o c a t e d at the corner

of 22nd Avenue and Rupert S t r e e t , was b u i l t i n 1928. L a t e r , i n

1954, a separate annex t o t h i s s c h o o l was b u i l t i n the center

of the neighbourhood on a l o t which had been p r e v i o u s l y set

as i d e f o r t h i s purpose.7

There i s a smal l community h a l l , b u i l t i n 1958-59, b e s i d e the Renfrew sc h o o l annex, l o c a t e d at the i n t e r s e c t i o n of

F a l a i s e Avenue and Worthington D r i v e . T h i s h a l l was b u i l t by

the Vancouver Parks Board at the request of the people of

Renfrew He i g h t s . A U n i t e d Church i s l o c a t e d at the n o r t h end

o f F a l a i s e Park.

2. The E x i s t i n g C o n d i t i o n s i n 1965.

There are p r e s e n t l y 625 houses i n the Renfrew neighbour­

hood. These encompass 8 d i f f e r e n t b a s i c types o f houses with

many small v a r i a t i o n s i n d e t a i l . The area has 357 two-bedroom

;7lnformation from the Vancouver School Board.

56

houses, 228 three-bedroom houses and 8 four-bedroom houses.

There are a l s o 8 houses s p e c i a l l y designed f o r p a r a p l e g i c

v e t e r a n s ^ and 24 m i s c e l l a n e o u s houses which were b u i l t around

1937 to 1945>-^ before the main development took p l a c e . The

houses are wood c o n s t r u c t i o n and g e n e r a l l y w e l l maintained. Most

o f the l o t s are small, about 33 f e e t wide by 100 f e e t i n l e n g t h .

Three green b e l t parks run from the northwest, no r t h e a s t

and southeast to the c e n t e r where the s c h o o l annex i s l o c a t e d .

Most of the park area has only lawn and a few t r e e s and l a c k s

design and p l a n t i n g .

The i n t e r n a l s t r e e t system f o l l o w s P e r r y ' s concept

c l o s e l y . I t f a c i l i t a t e s c i r c u l a t i o n w i t h i n the neighbourhood

but d i s c o u r a g e s through t r a f f i c . However most of the houses have

no garages and cars are parked along the curbs, c r e a t i n g some

t r a f f i c d i f f i c u l t y , although g e n e r a l l y the t r a f f i c w i t h i n the

area i s l i g h t and the area i t s e l f i s very q u i e t . The area i s

bounded on a l l s i d e s by a r t e r i a l s t r e e t s which provide good

access to the area. The l a n d use of Renfrew'Neighbourhood i s

shown on Map 3 (Appendix 3 Page 89)•

Two shopping zones are l o c a t e d o u t s i d e the area, at the

southwest corner and on the east boundary. In a d d i t i o n to the

9 l b i d .

l O l n t erviews w i t h r e s i d e n t s of the area.

5 7

U n i t e d Church- w i t h i n the area, t h e r e i s a P e n t e c o s t a l Church

a c r o s s Boundary Road and an A n g l i c a n Church one block f u r t h e r

east at the i n t e r s e c t i o n of l a u r e l and Smith S t r e e t .

D. The F i n d i n g s and t h e i r I n t e r p r e t a t i o n

1 . The S t a b i l i t y of the Renfrew Neighbourhood

The degree of s t a b i l i t y of an area i s an i n d i c a t o r of

the success o f i t s p l a n n i n g . S t a b i l i t y i s dependent upon the

p e r i o d of r e s i d e n c e and the ownership of the house. The l o n g e r

the p e r i o d of r e s i d e n c e the g r e a t e r i s the s t a b i l i t y of the

d i s t r i c t and the more people who own t h e i r homes the h i g h e r i s

the s t a b i l i t y . The r e s u l t s o f the survey i n d i c a t e s

a. P e r i o d of Residences

0 - 5 years 3 0 %

6 - 1 0 » 33%

1 0 years and up ..... 37%

Average 9 * 2 years

b. Ownerships

Rent 33$

Own 67%

The f i n d i n g s i n d i c a t e t h a t seven out of t e n f a m i l i e s

have l i v e d t h e r e more than s i x years, and 67% own t h e i r own

home. I t i s evident t h a t the Renfrew neighbourhood i s very

58

stable and can be considered quite successful i f s t a b i l i t y i s used as a measure of i t s success. However, the success of a design i s not only dependent upon the s t a b i l i t y , but also upon other factors such as the street system, the parks and the schools.

2. The Street System

a. The Function of the Street

Generally the function of a street i s to provide access and communication, and the more direct i s the street, the more convenient i s the communication. However, according to Perry's theory the street system i n a neighbourhood has an extra function, that i s , to discourage through t r a f f i c and thus reduce noise and accidents.

b. The Survey Findings

From the survey r e s u l t s , the writer found that most of the residents prefer the ex i s t i n g Renfrew street layout to thel g r i d i r o n street pattern. Furthermore most of them l i k e the safety and quietness of the neighbourhood.

The re s u l t s from the questionnaires are; Renfrew Residents' Renfrew Street Gridiron Street

Preference Layout Layout Like l 80% 30% D i s l i k e : 2 0 % 70%

59

These data indicate that the e x i s t i n g street layout i s successful and support t h i s aspect of Perry's concept. The only disadvantage with t h i s type of street layout i s that i t can be complex and confusing to strangers i n the area.

3. The External Relationships of the Renfrew Neighbourhood

The success of an area i s not only dependent upon i t s i n t e r n a l organization, but also upon i t s convenient external rela t i o n s h i p s , which can be measured by a c c e s s i b i l i t y , con­venience to public t r a n s i t , and time-distance factors related to the mode of transportation. The external relationships are shown by a c t i v i t i e s such as employment, major shopping and recreation. Question 6 attempts to determine these relationships for the study area. The r e s u l t s of question 6 are shown i n Figure 4 (page 60), Figure 5 (page 6 l ) , Figure 6 (page 6 2 ) , and relate to employment, major shopping and major recreation respectively.

Figure 4 shows the mode of transportation to work and the corresponding t r a v e l times for working people i n the neigh­bourhood. I t was found that 62 per cent of those working t r a v e l by car and 38 per cent t r a v e l by bus. The average t r a v e l time by car was seventeen minutes while by bus i t was thirty-seven minut e s.

Trayel__Time (Minutes)...

.so .70

SO

SO

AO

j30

-2oi

iioL

Average 17 Minutes

Average 25 Minutes

O B • a B| D B

I B B| n y I a O B B B I a a a a a | l B B B B B B | a a a • |i a a a a a a| a a a B a a o a a a al

l a B B B B a a a B B B B B B B B B B B k a B B B B a B B B B B B B B B B B B B B|

I B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B U B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B Q • B B B B B B B B B B B B • B B B B B B B B B B B B ] I B B B B B B B B B B a a B B B B B B B B B B B B I B B B B B B B B B B a a

B B B B B B B B B B B B B l I B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B I B B B B B B B B B B B B

. ? . f . r . r . ? . * . ' . * . « 1 ' . ' . * T • • a B a

62% .Wo

1

By Car Bus •

People T r a v e l l i n g / t o Work -£or the -people- of Renfrew Neighbourhood

Figure . 4 .The.Mode of Transportation and. Travel Time to .Work for. the People of-the Renfrew Neighbourhood.

Travel Time (Minutes) '

TO!

7 0

. 6 0

B O

.40

30]

.30

UOL

Average 7 Minutes

Average. 15.5 Minutes

14%

.Walking

66%

Average 35 Minutes

1 a • • B a • O B B B B B B B B E I B B B S C |B B f a a B B B li B B B E B B • H E

3B BB BB , " ° B B S • a

B A B B H B • B B B B B C B B B B B B E B B B B B B B B B B B B B B 1 B B B B B B B 7*7-* B B B B B B B B O B B B B B a B a B a B • B • B B B B B B B B B B B • •:-: B B B B B B a :•:•» B B B B B B ( B B B B B B B >:-B B B B B B B ( .S;lB B B B B B B rl-f.'.'.'m'm'm'm' * )*B B B B B B B I • B B B I B • 1 I I'lL' B B

2 0 %

By Car. By Bus .

People.Travelling to Shopping'Facilities.

F i g u r e ^ . _The Mode of Transportation and Travel Time to Shopping F a c i l i t i e s "for the People . of the Renfrew Neighbourhood,

I'M'

62

Travel Time (Minutes) r

80

7.0

60

50

40

30

20

to

Average 7.6 Minutes

Average 20 Minutes

Average 31 Minutes

B B B I

B a p a 1

B B B I B B

B B 1 B B B I a s

U ~ B ~ H T u • a B B B B B B B B B B

B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

• B B B B .-.•a B B O B B B B B B > • t 0 B B B B B B B B B .0 B B B B B B B B B

Vi B B B B B B B B B B VP B B B B B B B B B • •) B B B B B B B B B B .VO B B B B B B B B B .V B- B B B B B B B B B ] " < B B B B B B B B B B

1.i B B B B O B B B B B

• • 0 B B B B B B B B B

:i.a..n 1 1 1,1 1 1 1 1

• • 29% 42% . 29% -,

1 i " 1 -•" 1

Walking By Car By Bus

People Travelling- to ..Reuireational Areas

Figure 6,_ The Mode of Transportation and Travel Time to Recreational Areas f o r the People of Renfrew Neighbourhood.

6 3

Figure 5 indicates that fourteen per cent of the people walk to shopping l o c a l l y and take an average of seven minutes to reach the stores; twenty per cent of the people go by bus and reach the shopping center i n an average of t h i r t y - f i v e minutes; s i x t y - s i x per cent go by car and take an average of f i f t e e n and one half minutes.

The survey shows that forty-two per cent of the people do not go out f o r recreation. However,'Figure 6 demonstrates that of those who do go out f o r recreation, twenty-nine per cent walk to the recreation l o c a t i o n ; forty-two per cent drive, and twenty-nine per cent take the bus. Either walking or driving brings them to the destination within twenty minuteis while most of the t r i p s by bus take f o r t y - f i v e minutes.

4. The Educational Aspect

The convenience of school f a c i l i t i e s to homes i s quite important, especially f o r elementary schools where the children are i n the younger age groups. Perry's concept v i s u a l i z e s the school as being within an easy walking distance of a l l the area that i t serves.

Renfrew Elementary School and i t s annex serve an area bounded on the north by the Grandview Highway, on the east by Rupert Street, on the west by Boundary Road, and on the south by

64

Twenty-fifth Avenue, that i s , an area about one t h i r d larger than the Renfrew Neighbourhood development i t s e l f (Figure 7, page 65).

Eighty-three per cent of the households have students, of which f o r t y - s i x point one per cent attend the elementary school, t h i r t y point nine per cent attend the junior high school and twenty-three per cent attend the senior high school.

5. The Church

Although there i s a United Church i n the neighbourhood and several other churches just outside the area, the r e l i g i o u s a c t i v i t y seems very s l i g h t ; 73*3 per cent of the people do not belong to a church; of those who do go to church half of them go occasionally and half of them go regularly once a week. The walking distance from home to church i s generally not more than f i f t e e n minutes. Figure 8, page 66) shows the findings. The decline of r e l i g i o u s a c t i v i t y i s a s o c i a l problem which i s not caused by lack of churches but may be caused by the new urbanized l i f e .

6. The Local Community Center

The Renfrew Heights Community Center i s located at 292 East 22nd Avenue. This Center serves a large area which i s bounded by Kingsway on the south, F i r s t Avenue on the north

Travel Time (Minutes).

TP

ISO

J30

Average 8 .7 Minutes

Average Average 14 Minutes 16.6 Minutes

J a a a a a a

B O B a B a a a!

B B S J n a a a B B B B ; H e KJ o B ;a .-j » a • a • o il J a a a a a •aannma:UBet, 3 a E n B B y l B B B B B B B B ] i a a a a a a n a

46.1% 30.9%. ••. 23%. '

Elementary School Junior H.S.. Senior-H.S.

Students Attending'' School

Figure 7-__Travei_Times to School f o r the Student of the Renfrew" Neighbourhood. >;

Travel Time (Minutes)

40_

.38.

30_

-25.

.20.

Average 10 Minutes

" Average 9 Minutes

Occasionally Regularly

Figure 8. __The_Travel _Time to Church f o r the People of. Renfrew Neighbourhood.

67

F r a s e r S t r e e t on the west and Boundary Road on the e a s t . The

Renfrew Community Center was b u i l t by f i v e or s i x l o c a l assoc­

i a t i o n s and o f f i c i a l l y opened on September 12, 1964- I t has

an i n d o o r swimming p o o l , gymnasium, au d i t o r i u m and seven or

e i g h t other rooms f o r games or t e a c h i n g . Some people l i v i n g

i n the Renfrew Neighbourhood study area go to t h i s c e n t e r once

or twice a week. The Center i s an average 14•4 minutes walk

from the study area (See F i g u r e 9, p» 6 ' 0 ) .

F a l a i s e H a l l i s the Community H a l l s e r v i n g Renfrew

Neighbourhood. O r i g i n a l l y i t was b u i l t i n 1956 as a f i e l d house

f o r Renfrew Park, and has only a d i r e c t o r ' s room, a c a r e t a k e r ' s

s u i t e , and p u b l i c washrooms. The a u d i t o r i u m and k i t c h e n were

added i n 195&-59 a n ( ^ d r e s s i n g rooms i n 1963-64. F a l a i s e

H a l l i s a p l a c e f o r people to be s o c i a b l e but does not have much

i n the way of a c t i v i t i e s . There are dances i n the h a l l once or

twice a month and t h i s i s the only a c t i v i t y now c a r r i e d on. Most

o l d e r r e s i d e n t s j o i n t h i s a c t i v i t y but many new r e s i d e n t s d i d not

even know t h a t F a l a i s e H a l l was i n the a r e a .

7. L o c a l Community Store

The Renfrew Neighbourhood area does not have a store

w i t h i n i t s t e r r i t o r y but has s t o r e s on i t s p e r i p h e r y . People

l i v i n g i n t h i s area can buy t h e i r d a i l y goods from l o c a l s t o r e s ,

w i t h i n a maximum of f i f t e e n minutes walking time. The average

Travel_Time (Minutes)

, 70

BO .

Average Travel Time 14.5 Minutes

68

41% 41% 18%

People. V i s i t i n g . Renf rew He rght s...Communityjpenter

Figure 9» The T r a v e l l i n g Time f o r People V i s i t i n g Renfrew Neighbourhood ~~

1

t r a v e l time f o r l o c a l shopping i s seven minutes (see Figure 10, p.6'9'a)' Some people do not use the l o c a l store, but instead order from a big company with a d a i l y delivery to the door. Some do not patronize t h i s convenient and generally cheaper service because they prefer an immediate choice of a wider variety of goods. The l o c a l stores s t i l l serve 73*4 per cent of the people i n the area on an average frequency of three times a week.

Another s i g n i f i c a n t feature of l o c a l shopping i s that the small grocery store has declined and. larger stores have come on to the scene. The larger food stores, such as Safeway, Ke l l e r s and Skidmore, have more variety on t h e i r shelves and better quality at a f a i r and reasonable p r i c e . People now can f i l l most needs l o c a l l y and do not need to go downtown to shop.

The Renfrew Heights area does not have a store within i t s area, but rather the l o c a l stores have developed around the surrounding area. This r e s u l t demonstrates that Perry's neigh­bourhood unit scheme provides shopping f a c i l i t i e s i n i t s periphery, which i s both correct and p r a c t i c a l .

8. Local Park and Playground

The Renfrew Neighbourhood area has two parks: one i s Renfrew Park and the other i s Falaise Park. The l a t t e r was

Travel Time (Minutes)

.70

so

3 0

IO

Average 7 Minutes

59% . 23% ' 18%

/ -

People Shopping at Local Stores

\

Figure 10. The Travel Time to Local Stores f o r the People of "~ Renfrew" Neighbourhood.

70

separated into two parts, one back of the school and the other to the east of i t . There i s no unusual design or landscaping i n the park. Falaise was planted with trees l a s t year. People l i v i n g i n the area have a good-sized park and playground but are not very much drawn to the park although the children do go there to play every day i n the summer, not because of the scenery but because of the playground where they can play baseball. Forty-seven per cent of the neighbourhood people use the l o c a l parks. Figure 11 (page 71) shows the frequency with which the people use the l o c a l parks.

9 . The V i s i t i n g A c t i v i t i e s

People are s o c i a l beings, whose s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s r e f l e c t t h e i r l i f e pattern. The kind of l i f e pattern people prefer i s related to geographical, s o c i a l , economic and p o l i t i c a l f a ctors. Types of s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s are different f o r people i n diff e r e n t conditions, creating d i f f e r e n t l i f e patterns. People l i v i n g i n Renfrew Neighbourhood have a very complex pattern of s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s . Synthesizing the survey findings, three major phenomena were found. F i r s t , t r a v e l time f o r v i s i t i n g varies inversely with the number of times that a person v i s i t s (see Figure 12, p. ? 2 ) . Secondly, the closeness of the relationship with friends or r e l a t i v e s i s d i r e c t l y proportional to the number of v i s i t s (see Figure 13, p. 73)* Thirdly, the patterns of the

Times.... Per Week

.7

6

Average 3 . 4 Times

71

36% 14% - 14% 36% 1 • 1 1 '

.People_Visitirig...Lp.cal„P.ai,ks.....

Figure .The Frequency with which the People.of Renfrew " " Neighbourhood Use t h e i r Local Park." >

Travel.Time. (Minutes) 72

_1 2 IO

.Number of S o c i a O i s i t s per..Month..

Figure 12". The_ R e l a t i o n s h ip i between T r a v e l Time and jbhe..Number of Social V i s i t s per Month f o r the People of Renfrew Neighbourhood.

Number of V i s i t s

Increasing-Intensity of Friendship or Kinship

\

Figure 1 3 . The Relationship between the Number of Soc i a l V i s i t s peT--Month-an-d-the—Intensi'ty"of"Friendship or Kinship.

74 l o c a t i o n o f f r i e n d s d i f f e r from person to person. People do not

always c o n s i d e r neighbours as f r i e n d s . In other words, " f r i e n d s

can be neighbours but neighbours are not n e c e s s a r i l y f r i e n d s " .

The w r i t e r was c u r i o u s about t h i s comment and asked why t h i s was

so. People s a i d t h a t "we know many t h i n g s about our f r i e n d s

but we know very l i t t l e about our neighbours. People do not l i k e

o t h e r s to d i s c u s s t h e i r p r i v a t e a f f a i r s , nor do they l i k e to

t a l k about t h e i r own to o t h e r s . I t i s only once i n a while t h a t

we get t o g e t h e r with our neighbours f o r a cup of t e a . We h a r d l y

know each o t h e r . " Another p o i n t i s t h a t some people of t h i s area

have l i v e d t o g e t h e r f o r more than t en yea r s , and b e i n g veterans,

have a s s o c i a t e d with one another. These persons have the "we"

f e e l i n g and c l o s e r e l a t i o n s h i p s t y p i c a l of r u r a l p eople.

10. Reasons f o r people choosing t o l i v e i n Renfrew Neighbourhood

People choose t o l i v e i n an area f o r many reasons,

i n c l u d i n g those a l r e a d y mentioned i n t h i s chapter. Question 5

attempts t o f i n d why the people have chosen t o l i v e i n the

Renfrew Neighbourhood. The r e s u l t s of t h i s q u e s t i o n can be

c l a s s i f i e d i n t o two a s p e c t s as f o l l o w s :

a. The s o c i a l a spect. People thought t h a t being

veterans, they would l i k e t o be t o g e t h e r .

b. The economic aspect. Rent and t a x a t i o n were lower

than other areas.

75

E. The Interpretation of the Survey Findings and the Hypothesis

The int e r p r e t a t i o n of the survey findings i s as follows: 1. The res u l t s show the Renfrew area to be very stable. 2. The findings indicate the ex i s t i n g street system i s quite

successful. 3. The Renfrew neighbourhood area has easy access and good

roads to l i n k i t with the surrounding area. k* The Renfrew Neighbourhood area not only has an adequate

elementary school within i t s boundaries but also has Windermere High School near by. People l i v i n g i n t h i s area have no d i f f i c u l t y with regard to education for t h e i r children.

5 . Generally speaking, people i n t h i s area are not associated to any great extent with the churches.

6. Some people, but not a l l , use the l o c a l community center as a place f or s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s .

7. The Renfrew Neighbourhood area has no l o c a l store within i t s area but there are enough l o c a l stores i n the adjacent area to meet people's needs.

8. The Renfrew Neighbourhood area has a good-sized park and playground, but t h i s i s not very well equipped.

9. Many people are i n c l i n e d not to associate s o c i a l l y with t h e i r neighbours.

76

10. Many of the people chose t o l l i v e i n Renfrew neighbour­hood because they had common int e r e s t s and wanted to be together; others were attracted by the cheap rent and low taxes of t h i s area over other areas.

From the above interpretation of the survey findings, the Renfrew Neighbourhood area i s considered quite successful i n i t s physical aspects, such as the street system, easy access, good linkage with other areas, convenient schools, churches, community center, parks and playgrounds; but i t i s not considered eff e c t i v e i n i t s s o c i a l aspects, such as p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n church or community center a c t i v i t i e s , and only l i m i t e d s o c i a l contact between neighbours. From these interpretations of the survey findings, the writer's hypothesis -- "that the application of Perry's neighbourhood unit theory i n Vancouver is.not successful i n i t s s o c i a l aspect but i s successful i n i t s physical aspect" i s proved correct.

77

CHAPTER IV

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

A. The Summary

The purpose of t h i s thesis i s to t r y to prove the pre­supposed hypothesis "that the application of Perry's neighbourhood scheme i n Vancouver i s not successful i n i t s s o c i a l aspect but i s successful i n i t s physical aspect".

In order to validate the hypothesis a f u l l understanding of Perry's neighbourhood theory and i t s scheme i s needed. F i r s t , the h i s t o r i c a l aspects were reviewed. Perry was influenced by urban so c i o l o g i s t s , the community center movement, and a f i r s t hand experience of l i v i n g i n a successful neighbourhood. Second, Perry's theory and i t s scheme was described, and i t was found that i t s goal i s to establish a pleasant, convenient, and healthy r e s i d e n t i a l unit which w i l l generate and maintain, face-to-face s o c i a l relationships between the people. Third, the d i v e r s i f i e d v ariations i n the application of Perry's theory and i t s scheme were summarized.

Perry's concept envisaged a structure involving the neighbourhood and the c i t y . Others have enlarged upon the hierarchy of steps within the o v e r a l l community structure.

78

Clarence Stein increased the number of steps i n the hierarchy by advocating small neighbourhoods, groups of neighbourhoods or d i s t r i c t s , and the c i t y .

Walter Gropius gives an intermediate unit between dwelling and neighbourhood, by advocating that the hierarchy should be dwelling, apartment block or superhousehold, neigh­bourhood, and town.

The U.S.S.R. has a s i m i l a r hierarchy to that which Stein has given. I t i s dwellings, m i c r o - d i s t r i c t (the same as the neighbourhood), r e s i d e n t i a l d i s t r i c t (three or four neighbourhoods), •and the c i t y .

The Witwatersrand University A r c h i t e c t u r a l ISchool i n South A f r i c a suggests the most complex system involving dwelling, housing unit, neighbourhood unit, community unit and town.

A l l the variations suggest di f f e r e n t ways of applying Perry's theory. Variations are unnecessary i n applying the neighbourhood scheme to a small c i t y , but certain variations are needed i n a large c i t y . Planners w i l l make t h e i r own decisions i n applying Perry's theory.

C r i t i c i s m s of Perry's theory indicate two main points — one related to i t s s o c i a l aspects and the other to i t s application. The deficiency of Perry's theory i n i t s s o c i a l aspect i s due to

79

the mistake that Perry makes i n t r y i n g to l e t the urban people have a rural-type s o c i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p . Perry's scheme actually provides a better environment f o r a face-to-face s o c i a l r e l a t i o n ­ship but urban people have a dif f e r e n t l i f e pattern, and do not l i v e i n the same way as r u r a l people. This i s a s o c i a l problem which perhaps can eventually be solved by soc i o l o g i s t s and geographers. The application of any theory should be based primarily on i t s p r a c t i c a b i l i t y and f e a s i b i l i t y . A theory i s only responsible f o r i t s consistency within i t s e l f , but i t s r e a l i z a t i o n l i e s with the planners.

Perry's theory was analyzed and evaluated item by item i n order to obtain a better understanding of i t and to determine whether i t i s s t i l l useful. A summary of some of the various aspects of the concept are as follows:

1. The Street System A neighbourhood unit bounded on a l l sides by a r t e r i a l

streets, with s u f f i c i e n t width to f a c i l i t a t e bypassing, i s a very good idea and provides good linkage with other areas. The in t e r n a l street system, designed to f a c i l i t a t e c i r c u l a t i o n within the nieghbourhood unit and to discourage i t s use by through t r a f f i c , i s another good feature which gives a safe and quiet environment.

80

2. Residential F a c i l i t i e s A neighbourhood i s an area f o r l i v i n g and should

encompass differ e n t kinds of residences to meet the people's needs. A neighbourhood unit scheme should provide a convenient relationship between the r e s i d e n t i a l f a c i l i t i e s and other functional u n i t s .

3. Church A r e s i d e n t i a l area should provide the necessary functions

f o r the people. Nowadays the pressures of competition drive people to the breaking point. People go to church to f i n d strength and f a i t h , to conquer t h e i r d i f f i c u l t i e s , and to release t h e i r tensions. I t i s concluded that a neighbourhood should have adequate church f a c i l i t i e s .

4. Shopping Center People have d a i l y needs which can be catered to by having

l o c a l shops nearby. Formerly, a r e s i d e n t i a l d i s t r i c t always had a few corner stores to supply people with d a i l y goods. In the l a s t twenty years, many stores have organized themselves into one area which became a shopping center. Perry had t h i s idea t h i r t y years ago, and t h i s contribution of Perry's theory should be appreciated.

5. Recreation Recreation i s an important aspect of people's needs.

81

There are many kinds of recreation, but these can be l i m i t e d to two p a r t i c u l a r types, one physical and one c u l t u r a l . The play­grounds and parks i n a neighbourhood provide f o r physical exercise, and the community center provides f o r both physical and c u l t u r a l s a t i s f a c t i o n — indoor games, sports, creative expression i n arts and c r a f t s , etc. A community center i s a good s o c i a l center and contributes to the development of c u l t u r a l pursuits. The community center helps to offset any lack of community f a c i l i t i e s i n the elementary school, which i s located i n the same area. Perry suggested cl u s t e r i n g a l l the important functions at the center of a neighbourhood, not only f o r physical convenience to the people but also f o r economic reasons.

Afte r the analysis of Perry's neighbourhood theory and i t s scheme, a survey of the Renfrew neighbourhood of Vancouver City was carried out as an example of the neighbourhood unit concept.

B. The Conclusion

From the above careful study the writer found the following to be true:

1. Perry's Neighbourhood theory and i t s scheme are con­sistent within i t s e l f .

82

2. Perry's theory i s s t i l l applicable and quite useful. 3. The manner i n which Perry's theory i s applied i s very

c r i t i c a l to i t s success.

The analysis and evaluation of Perry's theory and i t s scheme already supports the f i r s t point; the survey of the Renfrew neighbourhood demonstrates that Perry's theory i s s t i l l useful but some defects caused by i t s method of application require greater consideration.

Since the application of Perry's neighbourhood theory and i t s scheme i n Vancouver i s not successful i n i t s s o c i a l aspects, should we t r y to apply t h i s theory and scheme further? Nowadays, people are very busy, independent and self-contained. For example, they work eight hours a day, f i v e days a week regularly; they work f o r wages and need no help from anyone; and they have s u f f i c i e n t money to meet t h e i r everyday needs. These factors allow people to be more independent. People l i v i n g i n an urban area have many and varied in t e r e s t s i n recreation. They have varied educational backgrounds; some may have vocational or college education, some may learn s o c i a l science, some pure science, some engineering. They may have di f f e r e n t philosophies or b e l i e f s , and many may believe i n God but few go to church; a few of them tr u s t i n t h e i r own e f f o r t s but most depend on f a t e . Urban people are very complex and

8 3

t h e i r a c t i v i t i e s even more complex. A neighbourhood i s a r e s i d e n t i a l area for -which an environment should be provided to meet these requirements. The way to meet complex requirements i s to provide a maximum variety of f a c i l i t i e s f o r them. I t i s concluded from the case study that Perry's Neighbourhood Unit does provide an adequate range of f a c i l i t i e s .

The analysis of the detailed application of Perry's Neighbourhood Unit theory and i t s scheme can be c l a s s i f i e d as follows:

1. The Street System The design of the Renfrew Neighbourhood's street system

i s overdone and could have been s i m p l i f i e d and s t i l l have f a c i l i t a t e d c i r c u l a t i o n within the unit and disoouraged through t r a f f i c . The a r t e r i a l streets bounding the area would have been better as boulevards, making a green belt to exclude much of the noise of the t r a f f i c .

2 . Size Since i t i s commonly acknowledged that children can spend

up to t h i r t y minutes walking to school, then the size of both school and neighbourhood could be larger. I f a half mile radius c i r c l e i s used as the neighbourhood area, t h i s would be four times as big as Perry's suggestion of a quarter mile radius.

84

A larger area could support better equipment f o r the school, better f a c i l i t i e s i n the neighbourhood, such as an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, auditorium and studio i n the community center; golf l i n k s i n the park, and more equipment i n the playground. The better the equipment of the school, the higher the school standard. The greater the variety of the f a c i l i t i e s , the more people w i l l use them. In addition, as the size of the neighbourhood increases, population increases, and provides more q u a l i f i e d leaders to generate more so c i a l a c t i v i t i e s .

3. Church Before s t a r t i n g to lay out the neighbourhood plan the

planner should make a survey of the people who w i l l be l i v i n g i n the area and reserve at least one s i t e f o r a church, even i f the survey proves that there i s no immediate need.

4. Shopping Center Shopping centers are becoming larger and more complex

than a few years ago. A larger shopping center means a larger trade area. Locating the shopping center on the circumference of the unit, at the t r a f f i c junctions and adjacent to simi l a r adjoining neighbourhoods, as Perry suggests, i s considered satisfactory f o r a larger sized neighbourhood.

5. Park and Playground Parks and playgrounds should be well equipped and

85

designed, and not simply open spaces. For example, a park should

have i n t e r e s t i n g , winding pathways, b e a u t i f u l t r e e s , f l o w e r s and

lawns, c l e a r p o o l s , brooks, w a t e r f a l l s and f o u n t a i n s ; p i c n i c

t a b l e s , benches, barbecues, f i r e p l a c e s , e t c . Neighbourhood p l a y

areas should p r o v i d e the f o l l o w i n g s ^

a. a small space f o r p r e - s c h o o l c h i l d r e n — t o t l o t s ;

b. apparatus f o r o l d e r c h i l d r e n ;

c. an open space f o r i n f o r m a l p l a y ;

d. a s u r f a c e d area f o r court games, such as t e n n i s ,

h a n d b a l l , v o l l e y b a l l , e t c . ;

e. a p l a y i n g f i e l d f o r games such as s o f t b a l l , touch

f o o t b a l l , mass games, e t c .

f . a wading p o o l ;

g. a s h e l t e r and change b u i l d i n g w i t h t o i l e t s , washing

f a c i l i t i e s , d r i n k i n g f o u n t a i n s , and perhaps an area

f o r q u i e t games, i n s t r u c t i o n , c r a f t s , e t c ; —

although these a c t i v i t i e s are o f t e n b e t t e r c a r r i e d

out i n the community center, which should a d j o i n

the playground.

Parks and playgrounds w i l l be used more i n t e n s i v e l y i f

a g r e a t e r v a r i e t y of i n t e r e s t s and a c t i v i t i e s are p r o v i d e d .

S o c i a l contact i s more e a s i l y generated through r e c r e a t i o n than

I D e r i v e d from American P u b l i c 'Health A s s o c i a t i o n , P l a n n i n g the Neighbourhood, P u b l i c A d m i n i s t r a t i o n S e r v i c e , Chicago^ 1 9 4 8 , p . 48 .

86

through associations of working or helping. Recreational f a c i l i t i e s are becoming c r i t i c a l factors i n a neighbourhood.

One of the grounds on which Perry's theory has been most seriously c r i t i c i z e d i s that the concept promotes segreg­ation and discrimination on r a c i a l grounds. However.there i s no concrete evidence to support t h i s c r i t i c i s m . The r a c i a l problems are s o c i a l ones going beyond the layout patterns of communities, and are l i k e l y to be as s i g n i f i c a n t with other layout patterns as with hhis one of Perry's. P r i o r to a comprehensive investigation of the whole subject, the author had t r i e d to f i n d reasons to oppose Perry. Now i t i s con­cluded that Perry's theory i s s t i l l very useful i n our complex, changing urban way of l i f e . The writer does not agree with the s o c i a l goal of Perry's concept, but supports the theory because i t i s very functional and provides the maximum possible f a c i l i t i e s i n a self-contained r e s i d e n t i a l environment. The application of hhis valuable theory i n a satisfactory manner i s a c r i t i c a l operation; lack of understanding w i l l introduce bias; improper application w i l l produce a nonfunctional u n i t ; and any over-emphasis or lack of attention i n certain of i t s d e t a i l s w i l l disturb i t s self-contained character. However, i t may be con­cluded that i n s e n s i t i v e application of the theory i s not necessarily the f a u l t of the theory i t s e l f .

88

I

Appendix 2 nooe s4oo e SSOOE seoo E

f \, yv. / A . 1

•i Ii

M

1 •

> "l"

i T It r ' r Fisf \t

M | i

TWENTY-SECOND

'I.' l\svlr'-" SSOOE. 3400 E SSOOE

School V//////A

Communi ty H a l l • f a i l l « P U T

«M« M » » * • I M M l l l It

T CKtlNECRINO OCPARTWEHT, VANCOUVER, 1.0. f M tPPf <# « . » < • « » • • M t l H U I M • C I - t . l i t l l l M P M

Park

Church

Gas S t a t i o n

Residence

• • • • r

liiilil

Map 2. The Land Use of Renf rev'Neighbourhood

Appendix 3 89

5300 E 3400 E S500E

3400 E 3300E

Legend. 1. Interview Locations 2. Location of Questionnaire Response

I t a L C l« P U T

TNI •)•» « a f ( • • • a l l • *

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, VANCOUVER, B.C. I M CITY Of MMCOUVI* a l l U M I l H« « I N * H i l L I T * •»»

TMC c w i C K i i i or « F O » M » I I O « • H O W

Map 3. The Survey Map of Renfrew Neighbourhood

90 APPENDIX 4.

A. The l e t t e r attached to the questionnaire

Fort Camp, U.B • C o, Vancouver 8, B.C.

Dear S i r or Madam: I am undertaking a study i n an attempt to evaluate

Perry's Neighbourhood Unit Theory - a standard scheme i n designing urban neighbourhoods - as part of the requirement fo r a degree i n Community and Regional Planning at the University of B r i t i s h Columbia. Your neighbourhood i s an example of one designed according to Perry's theory. The boundaries of your neighbourhood are: Grandview Highway on the north, Twenty-second Avenue on the south, Rupert Street to the west and Boundary Road to the east. This survey i s an attempt to study certain l i v i n g conditions and the opinions of the people concerning the d e s i r a b i l i t y of l i v i n g i n t h i s area.

The r e s u l t s of t h i s survey w i l l be useful for future r e s i d e n t i a l development i n other areas of the Vancouver area.

I would very much appreciate i t i f you would complete the attached questionnaire .and return i t i n the stamped s e l f -addressed envelope which I have provided. No names or addresses of any in d i v i d u a l s answering the questionnaire w i l l be mentioned i n the study. I t i s only meant to show the existing conditions and the attitudes of the residents of t h i s area.

Sincerely,

Frank CC. Wang, Graduate Student, Community and Regional

Planning, U.B.C

B. Questionnaires of Survey 1. How Long have you l i v e d i n the present house? .91 2. Do you own your house? . 3. Do you l i k e the ov e r a l l street. layout? . 4. Would you prefer a gr i d i r o n street system? . 5. Why do you l i k e l i v i n g here? The reasons are:

a. Near to place of employment . b. Near to school . c. Near to playground d. Near to park . e. Near to church f. Near to shopping center . g. Good environment h. Good neighbours . i . Convenient public

t r a n s i t . j . Other reasons

6 . Please complete the table to indicate: a. The names of places where you work, shop and play

outside your neighbourhood. b. The method of transportation you use. c. The time i t takes to go there from your home. d. The distance from your home.

A c t i v i t y Employment Major Shopping Recreation A. Location

. B. Travel time (Minutes)

C. Method of Transportation

D. Distance (Mile) 7. I f you have children attending school, please

table below: Elementary Junior School High School

complete the Senior

High School A. Name of school B. No. of children C. Travel time from

home to school D. Method of trans­

portation E. Distance from

home to school

Questionnaire 92

- 2 -

8. I f you use the following f a c i l i t i e s inside your neighbourhood please complete the table below:

Local Local Local F a c i l i t y Church Community Community Local Play-

Center Store Park ground A. Name B. Distance from

home (mile) C. Method of trans­

portation D. Travel time from

home (minutes) E. Frequency

(per week) F. "Reasons:

1. Convenient 2. Good quality 3 . Others

9 . V i s i t s : On the table below please give information about the location of your good neighbors, r e l a t i v e s and friends whom you v i s i t regularly.

D i s t r i c t of location

No. monthly v i s i t s Travel time from home (minutes) Method of transportation Distance (miles) from home.

93

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Abercrombie, P a t t r i c k , Greater London Plan 1944, London H.M.S.O. 1945

Uses the"community as a basic unit i n regional planning.

2. Adams, Frederick J.' " S h a l l We Ration Crowding?", The Technology Review,- Vol. XLv, No. 7, May, 1943, pp. 368-7°. Recommends o v e r - a l l standards of maximum population

density to meet the worst conditions of land crowding, emphasizing l i m i t a t i o n on high densities imposed by provision of adequate, f a c i l i t i e s and open spaces.

3« Adams, Thomas. Design of Residential Areas: Basic Considera­ti o n s , P r i n c i p l e s and Methods. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1934, 295 P P « , i l l u s . , maps, plans, tables, charts, diagrams. (Harvard City Planning Studies No. 6.)

H i s t o r i c a l background, analysis of basic p r i n c i p l e s involved i n s i t e planning, and examples of outstanding neighbourhood plans.

4» Advertising Service Guild. An Inquiry into People's Homes. A Report Prepared by Mass-Observation f o r the Guild. London: John Murray, 1943, 228 pp., charts, diagrams,

Characteristics of the environment and the dwelling unit desired by B r i t i s h people, as determined by large-scale interviewing procedure.

5. Agg, Thomas, R. The Construction of Roads and Pavements. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1940, 483 pp., i l l u s .

Moderately technical presentation of basic p r i n c i p l e s of street and highway design and engineering.

6. Alschuler, Rose H. Children's Centers. New York: National Commission for Young Children, 1942, 165 pp., i l l u s .

Outlines desirable organization, programs, special services, housing and equipment f o r children's centers.

7. American Association of School Administrators, Commission on T r a f f i c Safety. Safety Education. Eighteenth Year­book, Washington: The Association, 1940, 544 pp.

Safety requirements i n l o c a t i n g , planning and equipping school buildings.

94

8. American Library Association. Standards and Planning f o r Public L i b r a r i e s . Chicago; The Association, 1944, 12 pp.

Concise statement on"the services, f a c i l i t i e s , size, s t a f f and f i n a n c i a l report necessary f o r a good l i b r a r y .

9. American Municipal Association, American Society of Planning O f f i c i a l s and International City Managers' Association. Action f o r C i t i e s ; A Guide f o r Community Planning. Chicago: Public Administration Service, 1943, 77 pp., maps, diagrams". (Publication No. 86.)

Guide to comprehensive community planning. Section 300 i s especially pertinent to community services and f a c i l i t i e s .

10 . American Public Health Association, Committee on Community Organization f o r Health Education. Community Organiza­ t i o n f o r Health Education. Cambridge, Mass.: The Technology Press, 1941, 120 pp., ' charts.

Organizations and services f or health programs, especially directed to r u r a l communities.

1 1 . ; _, Planning the Neighbourhood, Public Admin­i s t r a t i o n Service, Chicago, 1948.

Gives a complete l i s t of equipment f o r a park and play area.

12. , Committee on the Hygiene of Housing. An Appraisal Method f o r Measuring the Quality of Housing. Part I , Nature and Uses of the Method. New York: The Association, 1945, 71 pp., i l l u s . , charts.

Outline of method f o r careful analysis and appraisal of housing and i t s environment.

13» , Op. c i t . Part I I I , Appraisal of Neighborhood Environment, New York: The Association. In press, 1948.

Detailed procedure f o r appraising the neighborhood environment.

14- , . Basic P r i n c i p l e s of Healthful Housing. 2d ed. New"York: The Association, 1939, 31 P P «

Physiological and psychological factors i n the planning of housing some neighbourhood and community aspects.

99

15 • » . Housing for Health. (Papers presented under the auspices of the Committee.). Lancaster, Pa.: Science Press P r i n t i n g Co., 1941? 221 pp., charts, diagrams.

Standards of housing i n r e l a t i o n to health; a c o l l e c t i o n of papers on di f f e r e n t aspects of housing and health.

16. , __. . Subcommittee on "Home Sanitation. "Problems of Water Supply and Sewage Disposal i n the Selection of Housing S i t e s , " The American City, October, 1941, pp. 67-69. Summary of basic p r i n c i p l e s of sanitation i n

connection with public or i n d i v i d u a l water supply and sewage i n s t a l l a t i o n s .

17. American Society of Planning O f f i c i a l s , Neighbourhood Boundaries, Planning Advisory Service Information Report No. 141, Chicago, 1961, p. 8.

Evaluation of Perry's neighbourhood theory. 18. Anon. " D i s t r i c t Heating", Journal of the Town Planning

I n s t i t u t e , Vol. XXXIII, No. 1, November-December, 1946, pp. 15-16. Summary of present practices i n community heating

i n England. 19. Anon. ' "Microclimatology: A Big Word •"for the Study of

Small-size .Weather", Ar c h i t e c t u r a l Forum. March, 1947-pp. 114-19, i l l u s . . . .

Observations and fac t s regarding the effect of l o c a l c l i m a t i c conditions on housing and s i t e planning.

20. Anon. "Orientation f o r Sunshine". A r c h i t e c t u r a l Forum, June, 1938, pp. 18-22, i l l u s . , diagrams.

Solar mechanics and some conclusions regarding orientation based on a variety of research undertakings.

21. Anon. "Planned Neighbourhoods for 194X." Eight a r t i c l e s on neighbourhood planning. A r c h i t e c t u r a l Forum. October, 1943.

Entire issue devoted to I .this problem. Special items on land Planning, Shopping Centers, Schools, Street l i g h t i n g , Landscaping, T r a f f i c , Playgrounds and Analysis of Obsolescent Neighborhoods.

96'

22. Anon. "Public Health Centers", A r c h i t e c t u r a l Record, July, 1942, pp. 63-78, i l l u s . , . p l a n s .

Analysis and suggested standards f o r several types of health centers.and t h e i r r e l a t i o n to the community.

23. Anon. "Shopping Centers — A Neighborhood Necessity". B r i e f Summary of Findings of the Community Builders' Council. Urban Land, September and October-November, 1944/ i l l u s .

Standards f o r shopping centers, size, l o c a t i o n , population served and other r e l a t i o n s to r e s i d e n t i a l . areas.

24« Jtaasni. "Shopping F a c i l i t i e s i n Wartime", Ar c h i t e c t u r a l Record, October, 1942, pp. 62-78, i l l u s . , plans, diagrams.

Shopping f a c i l i t i e s standards f o r war housing projects.

25. Anon. "What Constitutes Municipal Refuse?" The American City . June, 1947,'pp. 102-3. Summary of municipal garbage and refuse disposal

practices f o r 25 c i t i e s . 26. Babbitt, Harold E.. Sewerage and Sewage Treatment. 6th ed.

New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1946, 692 pp. Standard reference on the design, construction and

operation of sewage disposal works. 27- Bauer, Catherine. "Good Neighborhoods", The Annals of the

American Academy of P o l i t i c a l and Soc i a l Science, November, 1945, pp. 104-15*

A n a l y t i c a l discussion of neighborhood from s o c i o l o g i c a l point of view. A r t i c l e favoring d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n i n neighborhoods and against segregation and race discrim­i n a t i o n from the s o c i a l point of view.

28. Black, Russell Van Nest. Planning f o r the Small American C i t y : An Outline of P r i n c i p l e s and Procedure Especially Applicable to the City of F i f t y Thousand or Less. Chicago: Public Administration Service., 1944, 36 pp., i l l u s . , diagrams. (Publication No. 87.) A manual on making and carrying out the small c i t y

plan and on the p r i n c i p a l elements of the plan.

97

29• Blackman, A l l a n . "Planning and the Integrated School", Integrated Education, Vol. 11, No. 4, August-September, 1 9 6 4 . G i v i n g basic p r i n c i p l e s i n designing schools.

30. Branch, M e l v i l l e C., J r . Urban Planning and Public Opinion; National Survey Research Investigation. Princeton: Bureau of Urban Research, 1942, 87 P P « , maps, diagrams. (Research Series No. 1.) - A national research survey p o l l i n g public opinion on housing and neighborhoods — "neighborhood sa t i s f a c t i o n s . "

31. Building Research Board,- Acoustics Committee, Mi n i s t r y of Works. Sound Insulation and Acoustics. London: H.M. Stationery O f f i c e , 1944, 80 pp., charts, i l l u s . (Post-War Building Studies No. 14.) . Acoustics standards, with chapters on transmission and control of outdoor noises.

32. , Lighting Committee, Mi n i s t r y of Works, The Lighting of Buildings. London: H.M. Stationery O f f i c e , 1944, I64 pp., charts, i l l u s . (Post-War Building Studies No. 12.)

Daylight and sunlight standards.-33- Butler, George D. New Play Areas: Their Design and Equip­

ment. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1938, 242 pp., i l l u s .

P r i n c i p l e s , standards and detailed requirements fo r the design of playgrounds, p l a y f i e l d s and other recreation areas.

34» Central Housing Advisory Committee, Ministry of Health* Design of Dwellings. London: H.M. Stationery Office 1944, 75 pp., plans, tables.

Recommendations as to postwar design, planning, layout, standards of construction and equipment of housing and of r e s i d e n t i a l neighborhoods.

35. Chicago Plan Commission. Building New Neighborhoods: Subdivision Design and Standards. Chicago: The Commission, 1943, 44 P P « , i l l u s . , maps, diagrams.

Comprehensive guide f o r subdivision, planning and l e g i s l a t i o n ; based to considerable extent on FHA practices.

36. C h u r c h i l l , Henry S. and Roslyn I t t l e s o n . Neighborhood Design and C o n t r o l . An A n a l y s i s of the Problems of Planned S u b d i v i s i o n s . New York: The N a t i o n a l Committee on Housing, Inc., 1944, 39 pp.

A study of "The o b s t a c l e s p r e v e n t i n g the r e a l i z a t i o n of 'planned communities' as w e l l as some of t h e i r e s s e n t i a l requirements".

37* and •William H. Ludlow. D e n s i t i e s i n New York C i t y , Report to C i t i z e n s ' Housing C o u n c i l by Committee on C i t y ' P l a n n i n g and Zoning. New York? The C o u n c i l , 1944, 102 pp. c h a r t s .

T e c h n i c a l study of urban p o p u l a t i o n d e n s i t i e s i n r e l a t i o n to c i t y p l a n n i n g , i n c l u d i n g d i s c u s s i o n of measurement methods. C r i t e r i a on d e s i r a b l e c i t y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , h e a l t h f a c t o r s and other standards more d i r e c t l y r e l a t e d to New York C i t y requirements.

38. C i t i z e n s ' Housing C o u n c i l of New York, Committee on New Housing. • Report and Recommendations. New York: 1938, 19 - 46 pp., t a b l e s . Mimeo.

Proposed standards f o r community design and o p e r a t i o n , i n c l u d i n g s o c i a l , r e c r e a t i o n a l and e d u c a t i o n a l f a c i l ­i t i e s i n r e l a t i o n t o work, shopping and to urban f a c i l i t i e s g e n e r a l l y . Standards f o r design of s t r u c t u r e and s i t e i n c l u d e d .

39« The Codes of P r a c t i c e Committee f o r C i v i l E n g i n e e r i n g , P u b l i c Works and B u i l d i n g , M i n i s t r y of Works. B r i t i s h Standard Code of P r a c t i c e CPs 1944:. I n t e r i m Code of F u n c t i o n a l Requirements f o r D w e l l i n g s and S c h o o l s . Chapter K A ) , Daylight". London: B r i t i s h Standards I n s t i t u t i o n , 1944, 38 pp., diagrams, c h a r t s .

D e a l s w i t h the o v e r r i d i n g f u n c t i o n a l requirements. P r o v i d e s g u i d i n g p r i n c i p l e s under the f o l l o w i n g headings: Standards, Designs and S i t i n g of B u i l d i n g s . Appendices g i v e t a b l e s , d a y l i g h t f a c t o r p r o t r a c t o r s .

40. , Op. c i t . Chapter I I I , P r e c a u t i o n a g a i n s t Noise, London: I B r i t i s h Standards I n s t i t u t i o n , 1944, 17 pp.,- c h a r t s .

Methods of sound i n s u l a t i o n a g a i n s t outdoor and indoor n o i s e s .

'-9%

41. , B r i t i s h Standard Code of Practice CPS: 1945; Code of Functional Requirements of Buildings. Chapter 1(B), Sunlight," Houses, Flat a and Schools Only. London: B r i t i s h Standards I n s t i t u t i o n , 1945, 6 pp., diagrams. Recommended requirements f o r sunlight penetration

into rooms f o r l a t i t u d e s comparable to those of Great B r i t a i n .

42. Colcord, Joanna C. Your Community: I t s Provision for Health, Education, Safety and Welfare. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1941, 261 pp., i l l u s .

Comprehensive survey questions f o r examination of housing, planning and zoning. Health care, recreation, education and other f a c i l i t i e s and services.

43. Connecticut State Department of Health. Private Water Supplies. Hartford: The Department, undated, 27 pp., i l l u s . , diagrams..-

Gives p r a c t i c a l standards for design and loc a t i o n ; safety considerations, especially i n r e l a t i o n to .location of sewage disposal.

44« Cooley, Charles Horton. So c i a l Organization. New York, Scribner's, 1920.

Cooley, a famous sociologist of pre-war days, gave big influence to Perry's theory.

45« Dahir, James, The Neighbourhood Unit Plan, New York, the Russell Sage Foundation, 1947.

Dahir*s book Is the f i r s t book of studying the neighbourhood unit plan.

46. The Detroit City Play Commission, 1945* Having a system of neighbourhood that includes a

minor group of four neighbourhood units and a major group of 7-10 neighbourhood u n i t s .

47- Dufton, A.F. and H.E. Beckett. "The Heliodon -- An Instrument f o r Demonstrating.the Apparent Motion of the Sun", Journal of S c i e n t i f i c Instruments, Vol. IX, 1932, pp. 251-56, i l l u s .

Describes method of studying i n s o l a t i o n of buildings by analysis of scale models.

100

48. Engelhardt, N.L. "The Dover Community School", Recreation. January, 1940,.pp. 538-41,. 582-83, plans..

Description of school buildings planned f o r community use. Also contains a statement of p r i n c i p l e s under­l y i n g such use.

49• , Planning School Building Programs. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1940, 574 PP«, i l l u s . , diagrams.

Analyzing and forecasting school population, selection of s i t e s , b u i l d i n g programs and costs and a r c h i t e c t u r a l problems.

50. and N.L. Enge.lhardt, . J r . Planning the Community School. New York: American Book Company, 1940, 188 pp. plates. (Adult Education Series.)

Concerned primarily with a r c h i t e c t u r a l aspects. 51. , and Leggett, Stanton, Planning

Elementary School Buildings, 1953* Analyzing elementary school buildings from an

educator's' view. 52. Fawcell, Charles B. A Residential Unit f o r Town and

Country Planning. Bickley, Kent: University of London Press, 1944, 72 pp.

Interesting discussion and recommendations f o r the.ideal size of a community.

53' F i f e , Given Community Centres inCanada, Toronto, Ryerson Press, 1945-

Given the standard of Canada neighbourhood park. 54« Forshaw, T.H. and P a t r i c k Abercrombie. County of London

Plan 1943. London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1943, W pp., i l l u s . , charts, diagrams.'

One of the outstanding B r i t i s h plans for postwar redevelopment; emphasizes decentralization.

55. Fulcomes, Edwin S. Secondary Schools as Community Centers. New York: American Association for Adult•Education, 1940, 103 pp.

One of a series of studies on the use of school buildings f o r adult and community purposes- (Teachers College, Columbia University). An excellent survey of f a c i l i t i e s and services that are given i n community schools..

101

56. Gibberd, F r e d e r i c k , Town Design, London A r c h i t e c t u r a l P r e s s , 1953-

P r e s e n t i n g a new" h i e r a r c h y of r e s i d e n t i a l system -sm a l l housing groups, neighbourhood and a c l u s t e r of t h r e e neighbourhoods as a community.

57. G i l b e r t Herbert, The Neighbourhood U n i t P r i n c i p l e and Organic Theory, The S o c i o l o g i c a l Eeview, V o l . 11, No. 2, New S e r i e s , J u l y I963, U n i v e r s i t y of Keele.

V a r i a t i o n s of Neighbourhood u n i t analyzed.

58. Goss, Anthony, "Neighbourhood U n i t s i n B r i t i s h New Towns", Town P l a n n i n g Review, A p r i l , 1961.

G o s s T s A n a l y s i s of New Town neighbourhoods i n d i c a t i n g the d i f f e r e n c e between P e r r y ' s and the B r i t i s h .

59* Gropius, D i e S o z i o l o g i s c h e n Grundlagen der Minimal Wohnung, Die F u s t i g , 1930.

Suggesting t a l l apartment b l o c k s f o r the c i t y .

R e b u i l d i n g Our Communities, Chicago, Paul Theobald and Co., 1945.

60. H a n d s e l l , John S. DeFacto Seg r e g a t i o n i n the Berkeley P u b l i c Schools, B e r k e l e y , C a l i f o r n i a , U n i f i e d School D i s t r i c t , 1963•

An a n a l y s i s of B e r k e l e y P u b l i c s c h o o l s .

61. H a r r i s o n , Donald Dex. " P l a n n i n g a g a i n s t Noise? Layout of S t r u c t u r e s to Minimize Sound T r a n s m i s s i o n , " - P e n c i l P o i n t s , January, 1944, pp. 43-50, i l l u s .

T e c h n i c a l d i s c u s s i o n o f methods of p r o t e c t i n g d w e l l i n g s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n m u l t i - f a m i l y s t r u c t u r e s , a g a i n s t n o i s e .

62. Hechinger, F r e d . "Neighbourhood School Concept", New York Times, June 26, 1963.

A p p l y i n g new e d u c a t i o n a l theory i n school b u i l d i n g .

63. Hermann, Henry, C o n s t a n t i n P e r t z o f f , and Erna Henry, "Ah Organic Theory of C i t y P l a n n i n g , A r c h i t e c t u r a l Forum, A p r i l , 1944.

Suggesting 500-200 f a m i l i e s as a u n i t of settlement.

102

64. Heydecker, Wayne D. and Ernest P. Goodrich. "Sunlight and Daylight for Urban Areas", Regional Survey of New York and I t s Environs, Vol. VII. New York: Regional Plan Association, 1929, pp. 142-209, i l l u s .

Performance standards f o r sunlight and daylight penetration.

65. Hilberseimer, L.S. The New C i t y : P r i n c i p l e s of Planning, Chicago: Paul Theobald, 1944, 192 pp., i l l u s . , diagrams.

Profusely i l l u s t r a t e d philosophical discussion of c i t y planning p r i n c i p l e s ; s p e c i f i c data on orientation, i n s o l a t i o n and t h e i r r e l a t i o n to topography and densities.

66. , The Nature of C i t i e s , Chicago, Paul Theobald and Col. 1955-A new settlement unit on an e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t

scale was suggested. 67. Holy, Russell A. The Relationship of City Planning to

School Plant PI annlng. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1935, 135 P P « , i l l u s . A detailed survey and analysis of the extent to

which school plant planning has been integrated with general c i t y planning.

68. Illuminating Engineering Society, Committee on Street and Highway Lighting. Recommended Practice of Street Lighting. New York: The Society, 1940, 36 pp., charts, tables.

69. International City Managers' Association, I n s t i t u t e f o r draining i n Municipal Administration, Municipal Fire . Administration, Chicago: The I n s t i t u t e , 1946, 667 pp., charts.

Text for in-service t r a i n i n g of f i r e department o f f i c e r s and administrators, containing chapters on: (3) organization for f i r e protection, (6) department buildings and.equipment, (7) d i s t r i b u t i o n of equipment and personnel, (S) f i r e alarm signaling systems.

103

70. Isaace, Reginald. "Are Urban Neighbourhoods Possible?" Journal of Housing, July-August, 1948•

"The Neighbourhood Theory", Journal of The American I n s t i t u t e of Planners, Spring, 1948'

"Frontiers of Housing Research — the Neighbourhood Concept i n Theory and Application" land Economics, "Vol. 25, February, 1949' A most c r i t i c a l review of Perry's neighbourhood

theory. 71. Kincheloe, Samuel C. The Imerican City and I t s Church.

New York? Friendship Press, 1938, 177 P P « , charts, maps.

An analysis of s o c i a l , economic and physical structure of the c i t y , the effects of the church and the l a t t e r ' s contribution to urban l i v i n g .

72. Lautner, Harold W. Subdivision Regulations. Chicago? Public Administration Service, 1941, 346 pp.,.tables, diagrams.

Useful analysis of some 284 subdivision regulations with emphasis on standards.

73« league of Nations Health Organization. The Hygiene of Housing, B u l l e t i n No. 4, Vol. VI. Geneva, Switzerland: August, 1937, pp. 505-50.

Recommendations regarding the hygiene of environ­mental conditions i n the dwelling and concerning noise and housing.

74« LeGraw, Charles S., J r . , and Wilbur S. Smith. Zoning Applied to Parking." Saugatuck, Conn.: The Eno Foundation f o r Highway T r a f f i c Control, 1947, 47 pp., charts, tables.

Comparative study of various zoning provisions f o r parking. Gives valuable information on practices i n zoning for parking and on physical requirements of f a c i l i t i e s .

75« Liepmann, Kate K. The Journey to Work. London: K. Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., Ltd., 1944, 194 P P « , maps. A careful technical analysis of community habits,

p a r t i c u l a r l y i n England, but with some reference to • experience elsewhere. Includes detailed study of wartime practices at some B r i t i s h manufacturing plants.

104

76. Los Angeles, C a l i f o r n i a . Comprehensive Zoning Plan, Ordinance No. 90,500. Los Angeles! Parker & C o l . 1946, 96 pp.

Comprehensive zoning ordinance and map, notable f o r i t s p r o v i s i o n s f o r o f f - s t r e e t p a r k i n g .

77* Low, Theodore L. The Museum as a S o c i a l Instrument. New York! Committee on E d u c a t i o n o f the American A s s o c i a t i o n of Museums,"Metropolitan Museum of A r t , 1942, 70 pp., b i b l i o g r a p h y .

A study of the p l a c e of the museum i n the community — i t s use as a s o c i a l - e d u c a t i o n a l instrument.

78. Margold, S t e l l a K. Housing Abroad up to World V a r I I . Cambridge, Mass.! Massachusetts I n s t i t u t e of Technology, Department of A r c h i t e c t u r e , 1942, 314 pp. Mimeo.

A n a l y s i s o f housing, p a r t i c u l a r l y procedures f o r pla n n i n g , c o n t r o l l i n g and f i n a n c i n g group housing i n Europe, w i t h b r i e f comparisons w i t h U.S.

79« Mayer, A l b e r t and J u l i a n W h i t t l e s e y . "Horse Sense P l a n n i n g , I I " , A r c h i t e c t u r a l Forum, December, 1943, pp. 77-82, i l l u s .

Shopping center i n r e l a t i o n to t r a f f i c and consumer a c c e s s i b i l i t y .

80. M i n e r v i n , G e o r g i . "Recent Development i n S o v i e t A r c h i t ­e c t u r e . P r o g r e s s i v e A r c h i t e c t u r e , June 1961.

81. Minnesota Department of Health, D i v i s i o n o f S a n i t a t i o n , Manual of Water Supply S a n i t a t i o n . S t . P a u l : The D i v i s i o n , 1941, r e v . 1943*

General i n f o r m a t i o n and p r i n c i p l e s p e r t a i n i n g to ground water.

32. Morrow, C. E a r l . "Community Shopping Centers", A r c h i t e c t u r a l Record, June, 1940, pp. 99-120, i l l u s . , map, plans, t a b l e s , diagrams.

A n a l y s i s o f f a c t o r s a f f e c t i n g design of l o c a l shopping c e n t e r s , w i t h examples.

83. N a t i o n a l Board of F i r e U n d e r w r i t e r s . Standard Schedule f o r Grading C i t i e s and Towns of the U.S. w i t h Reference to t h e i r F i r e Defense and P h y s i c a l C o n d i t i o n s . New York: The Board, 1942, 78 pp.

I n d i c a t e s r e l a t i v e importance of v a r i o u s c o n d i t i o n s and equipment which c o n t r i b u t e t o or d i m i n i s h f i r e h azard.

105

84. National Council on School House Construction. Guide f o r Planning School Plants, 1958.

Gives the c r i t e r i a f o r school planning. 85. National Recreation Association. Play Space i n New

Neighbourhoods. New York: The Association, 1939, 23 pp. A b r i e f summary of p r i n c i p l e s , recommendations and

general standards for recreation areas, and t h e i r relationship to housing and neighbourhood.

86. . , Schedule f o r the Appraisal of Community Recreation, New York: 1944, 31 pp. Mimeo.

Recreation standards and scoring system f o r land and water areas, buildings and indoor f a c i l i t i e s .

87. - , Standards: Playgrounds, P l a y f i e l d s , Recreation Buildings, "Indoor Recreation F a c i l i t i e s . New York: The Association, 1943, 16 pp. Recommended standards for various types of active

recreation areas and f a c i l i t i e s . 88. National Safety Council. C r i t i c a l Speeds at Blind Inter­

sections. Chicago: The Council, 1940, 8 pp. Mimeo. (Public Safety Memo No. 73.) . Standards f o r speed regulations i n r e l a t i o n to sight distances.

89. New York City Noise Abatement Commission. City Noise. New York: The Commission, 193°, 12 f 308 pp., i l l u s . , maps, tables.

Detailed analysis of the measurement•of noise, i t s effect on people and some means of c o n t r o l l i n g i t .

90. New York State Department of Commerce. Subdivision Control — A Step Toward Better Communities. Albany: 1946, 35 PP-Manual of subdivision regulations with suggested

model ordinances. 91. New York State D i v i s i o n of Housing. Recommended Standards

for Public Housing Projects, Albany: State of New York Executive Department, 1942, 13 pp.

Standards r e l a t i v e to s i t e , nondwelling f a c i l i t i e s , r e s i d e n t i a l buildings and dwelling u n i t s .

1C6

92. N i c h o l a s , R. C i t y of Manchester P l a n . Norwich and London: J a r r o l d & Sons, L t d . , 1945* 273 pp., i l l u s . , charts.,, diagrams.

Includes d e t a i l e d standards on d e n s i t i e s and a l l r e s i d e n t i a l neighbourhood development aspects. Although i t deals mainly with B r i t i s h experience, i t o f f e r s most u s e f u l data.

93* Perry, Clarence A r t h u r . Housing f o r the Machine Age. New York: R u s s e l l Sage Foundation, 1939, 261 pp., i l l u s .

The problems i n planning neighbourhoods -- e s p e c i a l l y d i r e c t e d toward a p p l i c a t i o n of the•neighbourhood concept to densely populated m e t r o p o l i t a n areas.

94- _• "The Neighbourhood U n i t " , Regional Survey of New York and I t s Environs. V o l . V I I . New York: Regional Plan A s s o c i a t i o n , 1929, pp. 22-140, i l l u s .

Emphasizes neighbourhood concept i n reference to urban planning or re p l a n n i n g .

95• P i m l o t t , J.A.R., Toynbee H a l l - 50 Years of S o c i a l Progress. London, Dent, 1935•

96. and Marguerite P. W i l l i a m s . New York School Centers and t h e i r Community P o l i c y . New York: R u s s e l l Sage Foundation, 1931, 7'8 pp., i l l u s . , c h a r t s .

The school i n " t h e community, i t s " u s e f o r e x t r a ­c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s and s e r v i c e s ; e s p e c i a l l y d i r e c t e d to the New York schools.

97. Pond, M. A l l e n . "How Does Housing A f f e c t Health?" P u b l i c Health Reports, V o l . LXI, No. 19, May 10, 1946, pp. 665-72. (Reprint No. 2717 from P u b l i c Health Reports.)

C o r r e l a t i o n of housing c o n d i t i o n s and standards of h e a l t h a t t a i n e d .

98. Pound, G.T. "Planning f o r D a y l i g h t " , J o u r n a l of the Town Planning I n s t i t u t e , V o l . XXXIII, No. 4, May-June, 1947, pp. 93-100, diagrams.

P r i n c i p l e s of den s i t y and d a y l i g h t admission. D e s c r i p t i o n of " d a y l i g h t p r o t r a c t o r s " recommended f o r use i n checking~adequacy of s i t e p l a n s .

107

99• Preliminary Comprehensive City Plan of Chicago, Chicago Plan Commission, 1946.

A f u l l pattern of c i t y development based on neighbourhoods and group neighbourhoods.

100. Regional Plan Association of New York. From Plan to Reality, New York: The Association, 1942, 69 pp. i l l u s .

Review of accomplishments i n regional development i n New York area, notably i n f i e l d s of c i r c u l a t i o n and recreation.

101. Sanders", S.E. and A.J. Rabuck. New C i t y Patterns: The Analysis of and a Technique for Urban Reintegration. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corp., 1946, 197 P P « . i l l u s . , diagrams.

P a r t i c u l a r l y good sections on planning objectives and on layout of neighbourhood u n i t s .

102. Scott, Warren J. "Municipal Refuse Disposal i n Connecticut", Connecticut Health Bu&letin, Vol. £XI, No. .6, June, 1947, pp. 151-59-

C r i t i c a l evaluation of refuse c o l l e c t i o n and disposal methods, especially from the public health point of view. Reprints available from. Connecticut State Department of Health, Hartford.

103. Segoe, Ladislas and Others. Local Planning Administration. Chicago: The I n s t i t u t e for Training i n Municipal Administration, 1941, 684 pp., i l l u s . , tables, diagrams forms. •

A technical manual on c i t y planning. Comprehensive and detailed.

104- Sert, Jose L. Can Our C i t i e s Survive? Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1942, 259 pp., i l l u s . , diagrams.

An analysis of urban problems, including those of shelter, "neighbourhoods", recreation, industry,.

• transportation and t r a f f i c f a c i l i t i e s . Recommendations for t h e i r analysis and solutions based on proposals formulated by the Congress Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne.

108

105. Sexton, P a t r i c i a Cays. Education and Income: Inequal-• i t i e s i n our Public Schools. New York, The Viking Press, 1961.

Supports the neighbourhood school idea. 106. South African A r c h i t e c t u r a l Record, September and October,

1943-A report on the exhibition 'Rebuilding South A f r i c a ' .

107. Stein, Clarence S. and Catherine Bauer. "Store Buildings and Neighbourhood Shopping Centers", A r c h i t e c t u r a l Record, February, 1934, pp.175-^7,-illus.

Standards f o r number and kind of* stores, space requirements, location, form and controls.

108. Stein, Clarence. Towards New Towns f o r America. Liverpool, University Press, 1957.

Stein, a pioneer i n the application of Perry's theories, made certain important extensions to.the idea.

109. Steiner, J.F. American Community i n .Action: Case Studies of American Communities. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 1928, 392 pp.

A good analysis of community structure and growth, i l l u s t r a t e d with 20 case studies.

110. Stonorov, Oscar and Louis Kahn. You and Your Neighbourhood: A Primer. New York: Revere Copper and Brass, Inc., 1944, 9o" P P « , i l l u s . , maps, diagrams.

An easy-to-read pamphlet directed to lay public, giving d i r e c t i o n to the replanning of neighbourhoods by community p a r t i c i p a t i o n .

111. Street and Highway Lighting Safety Bureau. Safe Streets at Night. New York: The Bureau, 1944, 24 P P » , i l l u s . , charts.

Series of a r t i c l e s emphasizing incidence of t r a f f i c deaths due to inadequately li g h t e d streets.

112. ' Syracuse-Onondage Post-War Planning Council. Community F a c i l i t i e s . Syracuse, N.Y.: 1944, unpaged, charts,

tables. Mimeo. Standards f o r educational, recreational and shopping

f a c i l i t i e s , t h e i r integration and r e l a t i o n to the planning of r e s i d e n t i a l areas — the r e s u l t of c i t i z e n and l o c a l agency p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n the formation of "goals" rather than "standards".

1 Q 9

113• Taylor Graham, Chicago Commons through Forty Years. Chicago, 111., 1936.

Chicago Commons and other settlements have "welcomed many church groups to share the use of t h e i r buildings.

114. Tinker, Miles A. "Illumination Standards", American Journal of Public Health, Vol. XXXVI, No. 9, September, 1946, pp. 963-73. Recommended standards for l i g h t i n g i n home, o f f i c e

factory and school, -with emphasis on health implications, 115. Toledo-Lucan County Plan Commissions. Neighbourhoods

Planned f o r Good l i v i n g ; Subdivision Standards and Regulations, Toledo; Tbledo-Lucan County Plan Commissions, 1946, 37 P P « , maps.

Essential subdivision standards, recommended regulations and suggested procedure, with I l l u s ­t r a t i o n s of poor and good subdivisions.

116. Tolman, S.L. "Ground Garbage - I t s Effect upon the Sewer System, and Sewage Treatment- Plant", Sewage Works Journal, May, 1947, pp." 441-60. A discussion of operating experiences at community

garbage-grinding stations. 117. Urban Land I n s t i t u t e Technical B u l l e t i n No. 20, July 1953.

Defining the content of shopping centre. 118. U.S. Children's Bureau. Health and Medical Care for

Children.• A "Preliminary Statement Submitted to the White House Conference on' Childien In a Democracy. Washington, D.C.: 1940, pp. 161-206. Mimeo.

Survey of c h i l d health progress including standards and recommendations f o r f a c i l i t i e s and services.

119. U.S. Federal Housing Administration. Low Rental Housing fo r Private Investment. Washington, D.C.; Government P r i n t i n g O f f i c e , 1940, 31 P P « , photos, plans, diagrams, sketches.

Site and unit plans f o r group housing. Mention of c i t y plan r e l a t i o n s h i p .

120. i , Planning P r o f i t a b l e Neighborhoods. Washington, D.C.; Government P r i n t i n g O f f i c e , 193$, 35 pp« i l l u s . (Technical B u l l e t i n No. 7)«

P r i n c i p l e s of good land subdivision that make neighbourhoods more desirable, with emphasis on good street layout. Well i l l u s t r a t e d with diagrams.

H Q

121. , Subdivision Standards. Washington, D.C: Government-Printing O f f i c e , 1939* 18 pp. (Circular No. 5.)

Outline of standards required i n e l i g i b l e FHA projects.

122. " Successful Subdivisions: P r i n c i p l e s of Planning f o r Economy and Protection against Neigh­ bourhood B l i g h t . "Washington, D.C: Government P r i n t i n g O f f i c e , 1940, 29 pp.* i l l u s . , plans. (Land Planning B u l l e t i n No." 1.)

Suggested p r i n c i p l e s of planning neighborhoods f o r pr o f i t a b l e investment and appeal to homeowners.

123. U.S. Housing Authority. "Children's Outdoor Play Apparatus: Planning Community Space and Equipment. Preliminary draft f o r discussion purposes. Washington, D.C.: 1940* 16 pp., Mimeo.

Discusses b r i e f l y the factors to be considered i n providing outdoor play apparatus. Gives detailed spe c i f i c a t i o n s for sandboxes, swings, s l i d e s , climbing structures, etc. Subdivided i n t o : family use areas, preschool areas, recreation area f o r children and adults. B r i e f bibliography.

124. • Design of Low-Rent Housing: Planning the S i t e . Washington, D.C: 1939* 84 pp., i l l u s . , plans, sketches Mimeo. (Revision, B u l l e t i n No. 11 on P o l i c y and Procedure.)

P r i n c i p l e s of design, s i t e organization, open spaces and planting.

125. • Site Planning. Washington, D.C: 1938, 20 pp., Mimeo. ( B u l l e t i n No. 11 on Poli c y and Procedure.) '

Design c r i t e r i a and standards f o r s i t e plans. 126. . Site Selection. Washington, D.C: 1939,

20 pp. Mimeo. ( B u l l e t i n No. 18 on Poli c y and Procedure.)

Basic factors considered i n the selection of sites fo r USHA-aided projects -- including relationship to c i t y planning, size of s i t e , t r a f f i c and other problems.

127« • Technical D i v i s i o n . Design of Low-Rent Housing Projects: Checking L i s t f o r Development of Site Plans. Washington, D.C.: June, 1939* 15 P P « Mimeo.

An outline of the Important elements i n developing s i t e plans.

I l l

128. U.S. National Bureau of Standards. A Glossary of Housing Terms. Compiled by Subcommittee on De f i n i t i o n s , Central Housing Committee on Research, Design and Construction. Washington, D.C: Government P r i n t i n g O f f i c e , 1942, -32 pp.

Very useful glossary of housing and planning terms. 129« U.S. National Housing Agency. A Checklist f o r the Review

of Local Subdivision Controls. Washington, D.C.; The-Agency, 1947, 43 pp. (NHA Technical Series No. 1.)

Checklist of l e g a l and administrative provisions, and technical design standards to f a c i l i t a t e review of l o c a l subdivision controls.

130. Federal Public Housing Authority. Minimum Physical Standards and C r i t e r i a f or the Planning and Design of FPHA-Aided Urban. Low-Rent Housing, Washington, D.C.s The Authority, 1945, 14 pp., charts.

Sp e c i f i c requirements f o r design of dwellings, s i t e and nondwelling f a c i l i t i e s .

131. , • • Public Housing Design: A Review of Experience i n Low-Rent Housing. Washington, D.C: Government P r i n t i n g O f f i c e , 1946, 294 P P « , i l l u s . , plans.

Extremely valuable p r a c t i c a l guide to design of s i t e s , dwellings and community f a c i l i t i e s .

132. , . Standards f o r War Housing: Excluding Temporary Housing. A r e v i s i o n of the former standards for .defence housing. Washington, D.C: The Authority, 1942, unpaged, i l l u s . , charts. Mimeo.

Detailed standards prescribed by FPHA as manual for f i e l d workers.

133. U.S. Office of Education. P r i n c i p l e s and Procedures i n the Organization of Satisfactory Local School Units. Washington, D.C: Government P r i n t i n g O f f i c e , 1939, I64 pp., charts, tables, maps. ( B u l l e t i n No. 2, Local School Units Project.)

Considers attendance areas and administrative units and transportation.

134. U.S. Public Health Service. "Individual Sewage Disposal Systems" (Recommendations of the Joint Committee on Rural Sanitation), Public Health Reports, Vol. LVIII, No. 11, March 12, 1943, 33 pp. (Reprint No. 246I from Public Health Reports.)

Standards f o r disposal of domestic sewage i n areas not served by sewer systems.

112

135« • " P u b l i c ' H e a l t h S e r v i c e D r i n k i n g Water Standards" , P u b l i c Hea l th Repor t s , V o l . I X I , . N o . 11 , March 15, 1945, 31 P P -

Standards o f p u r i t y f o r water used i n i n t e r s t a t e commerce and recommended f o r acceptance by s t a te agenc ie s .

136. . " R u r a l Water-Supply S a n i t a t i o n " (Recommend­a t i o n s of the J o i n t Committee on R u r a l S a n i t a t i o n ) , P u b l i c Hea l th Repor t s , Supplement No. 185, 1945, 5© P P -

Standards f o r development of i n d i v i d u a l water s u p p l i e s .

137* [' H o s p i t a l F a c i l i t i e s S e c t i o n . "The Sma l l Hea l th -Cent re H o s p i t a l " , P e n c i l P o i n t s , - June, 1946, pp. 74 -76 .

Design , cos t s and j u s t i f i c a t i o n f o r a l o c a l h e a l t h cent re and 10 -bed h o s p i t a l .

138. USSR A r c h i t e c t u r e 1 1 , I96I. Vindica t ing f i v e r e s i d e n t i a l areas of some 1 ,500-2,000

p o p u l a t i o n each grouped around a town centre w i t h f u l l s o c i a l f a c i l i t i e s .

139 • V i l l a n e u v e , M a r c e l . ' P l a n n i n g Neighbourhood Shopping Centers , . New Y o r k : N a t i o n a l Committee on Housing, 1945, 33 P P « ,

i l l u s . , d iagrams. A study of r e t a i l t rade requirements and the use

o f purchas ing power as a y a r d s t i c k i n p l a n n i n g to meet them.

140. Warren, Roland L . , The Community i n Amer ica , Chicago , Rand-McNally and Company, 1964.

Gives a d e t a i l e d , r a t i o n a l and c r i t i c a l a n a l y s i s of the great change of urban s o c i e t y .

141 • W e b s t e r ' s Seventh New C o l l e g i a t e D i c t i o n a r y , G . and C. Merr iam Company, S p r i n g f i e l d , M a s s . , U . S . A . , I963.

142 . Wheeler , Joseph L . and A l f r e d L . G i t h e n s . The American P u b l i c L i b r a r y B u i l d i n g , New York? Char les S c r i b n e r ' s Sons, 1941, 4°4 P P ' , i l l u s . , d iagrams.

P l a n n i n g and des ign o f the l i b r a r y w i t h s p e c i a l reference to a d m i n i s t r a t i o n and s e r v i c e . P a r t s 1 and 2 c o n t a i n data f o r de te rmin ing community r e l a t i o n s h i p s .

113-

143• Wright, Henry. Rehousing Urban America. New York: Columbia U n i v e r s i t y Press, 1935, 173 pp. i l l u s . , plans, c h a r t s , diagrams.

Comprehensive study of group housing, e s p e c i a l l y of R e l a t i v e l y low-density group housing. S i t e plans and f l o o r p l a ns.

144* Wright, Henry M. and' R.J. Gardner-Medwin. Design of Nursery and Elementary"Schools. London: A r c h i t e c t -u r a l Press, 1938, 120 pp., i l l u s . , diagrams.

P r i m a r i l y a r c h i t e c t u r a l but w i t h recommendations on s i t e s e l e c t i o n and on r e l a t e d p lay areas.