2005-04-06 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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In Norman Newton's book "Design on the Land H (t 971. Harvard Press), many company towns, new towns, and subdivisions that included parks and parkways are reviewed. The main object of the book is to critique the designs of these developments, but for some examples the economic results of the proj~ts are discussed, too. While it is usually not clearly spelled out that the parks and parkways were directly responsible for an increase in property values, parks and parkways were unique to the develO1lments and vere repeatedly credIted with increasing the quality of We for the residents. Many of these first planned communities were subsidized housing and thus had artificially supressed market values. Early effects upon the market value v.s. expence to the community cannot be accurately discussed. Port Sunlight is an industrial village built by Lever Brothers in Liverpool in 1887. Primarily meant to house the company workers, the development is an early user of the .super block: with housing on the perifery of the block asnd common garden or park area in the interior. The development also had park land not surrolJndedby the housing, but centrally located in the community. The development vas a huge success but no mention of increased property value is given and the rent levels were meant 'to only cover actual operational expences. Riverside, Illinois Is a suburban housing development near Chicago that was designed by Olmsted, Vaux & Co. in 1869. Newton describes the economic stu:ess .of Riverside as: 'What resulted was an unusually inteltegent venture that quickly came to be regarded as a leading example of sound real estate operation, with customers so uniformly satisfied as virtually to guarantee a continuing market. It was an outstanding early model for careful1y formulated deed restrictions, worked out by Olmsted and Bouton together with a view of maintaining high quality. stabilityo( values, and a harmonious community." Riverside "creates a vi!1age-,Ji.ke subUrb with a SYlvan domestic atmosphere: This is the result of maximizing the slight topography with. looping roads. A careful preservation of vegetation and a system of parkways and parks help create thIs atmosphere. Forest Hills Gardens on Long Island, New York: is an example of a subdivision that includes parks. parkways, and a village square. that experienced a ~eat rise in property market value. It was originallY intended for middle income fami1les but lras from the start been a high income area. Mariemont is near CincinnatI, Ohio and was designed by John Dolan in 1923 for Mrs. Thomas Emery as a memorial for her husband. It was to be a complete community that would provide comfortable working and liVing conditions. Its park land's success in increasing market value is summarized by Newton: "The Nolan plan of 1921 has adhered remarkably well. and the recreational facilities indicated for the upper level of Dogwood Park and JUSt east of the Dale Park section have been built. judging form the enthusiastic testimony of people who have lived in Mariemont, it is a happy, harmonious town. Except for the fact that income levels have been higher than the ori&inal intent, it would appear that Mrs. Emery's dream has finally come true."