Chapter 5: General conclusions

Static or expanding towns

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Our studies have revolved around a somewhat static concept of the size of towns. In other words we have considered the cases of towns of a given future size, though including, of course, a period of expansion up to that size. We could have dealt with very much larger planned expansions. But we have not considered the problems of towns in a state of continuous expansion. It may well be, having regard to the considerable increase of population that is expected, that there is a field here for further investigation. Our studies certainly suggest that a plan for a primary network evaluated on the lines we have suggested—purpose-designed, that is to say, for a specific disposition of land uses and activities—would be thrown seriously out of gear if continued growth of the town led to a completely different disposition of land uses. A plan for continuous expansion would have to be based quite differently—probably on some concept of transport corridors, with lateral development. As suggested in Chapter 1, the time may come when new ideas on urban form suddenly crystallise, but meanwhile we are inclined to think that the ‘static size’ concept, involving deliberate decisions as to the future sizes of towns, accords with the realities of the situation in this small country. In this respect we have accepted, and have worked within the present broad policy of the statutory development plans.