The next fifty years; A nation's policy, pt. II

That was the president of Brookings Institute Dr. Kermit Groden. You are listening to a discussion of America's needs for planning to meet the developments and challenges of the next 50 years. This is the final in our 13 week series of programs featuring the world's greatest experts from a variety of disciplines such as speaker reserving hand president of the American Institute of planners and also executive director of the Pennsylvania State Planning Board. Mr Hand is the former Planning Director of the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Commission. He has like your that fellow's University and the University of Pennsylvania. Irving hand also serves currently as a member of the studies fellowship advisory board for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. To speak now on this program. Here is Irving hand. The day is short and the work is great. The laborers are sluggish. The reward is much and the

master is urgent. It is not by duty to complete the work. But neither art thou free to desist from it. The ancient Hebrew words appropriately come to mind as we have gathered here this week for. The discussion of the future environment of a democracy. And the feeling of war if not inadequacy one experiences as we relate to the scale and complexity of the issues. Yet these issues must be faced. This behavioral commentary also lends an insight. To the assignment of the American Institute of planners undertook some seven years ago. The Board of Governors of the Institute at its meeting in Miami in 1960 authorized. The establishment of an ad hoc committee to recommend to the board appropriate measures to take to commemorate

the 50th anniversary of AI k. This 50th year consultation hosted by AIPAC and with the company of many similarly concerned organizations institutions and groups reflects a mixture of what destiny and humility. Mix that reminds us of the great issues. Whose treatment and hoped for resolution mandate. A great society. A structured dialogue has been proceeding concerned with the philosophy needed to bring about. The creative development of our environment our society and our people. The policies programs and techniques to implement that philosophy. And the resources and manpower to make these aspirations real. And part of a life experience for everyone. The prologue

to this international consultation the 1965 AIPAC conference in St. Louis concerned itself with urban issues the individual society and the planners role. And had as its audience largely members of the Institute. In 1966 in Portland Oregon. With a I K and the related professions. We explored the requirements of an optimum environment. And the means of achieving it. This week we have attempted the more specific consideration of policy and programs thinking. In a number of basic areas of our future society's development. Having stated what the values are. And the nature of critical future changes which may a car. A number of regional conferences during 1968. Including those presently scheduled in Chicago Los Angeles Dallas Fort Worth Philadelphia. And Charleston West

Virginia will take this discussion out to the nation for much broader participation and a further expression and refinement. Of the substance of these deliberations as they relate specifically and importantly to the host region. The institute's 1968 annual conference in Pittsburgh will bring us full cycle in a sense addressing planning and planners within an interdisciplinary context and focusing on the particular role and responsibilities of the planning profession. The problems of low income and minority groups and the application of planning skills and capabilities to meet these concerns are expected to receive particular consideration at that conference. The production of the physical social economic and spiritual environment of the future obviously. And

urgently calls for the work of many professions. It calls for that effort. With an interdisciplinary creative tension. Reflecting the individual and professional commitment. Expressed in the remarks of Dr. Seward Hilton are at the 40th annual conference of the Institute in Chicago in 1957. And his discussion of planning as a profession. Dr Hildner enumerated five criteria. As the basis for evaluating any activity as a professional. First. An emphasis on principles rather than rule of thumb procedures or simple routine skills with an ability to operate in concrete situations with full sensitivity to their novelty and the application of principles. Second. The use of technical means as just that and not as ends.

Recognizing that people are the ends means are desiring to serve. Third operating in some direct way for human welfare. Reminding us through Walter blue chippers words that the city is intended to serve people. People are not intended to serve the city. Forth. Exercising restraint. And discriminating self-limitation as to the relevance of what one can do within the limits of one profession and seeking the appropriate help of another. In a given situation. And finally. That each person acts not only as an individual but also representative. That is as a member of his profession with an awareness that what he does transcends himself.

Relating these criteria to planning. Dr Hildner commented on the formulation of a core of knowledge and learning. The mobilizing and coordinating of the relevant technical means toward a particular functional name drawing that means from applicable sources and disciplines. And recognising that planning has always worked in a direct way for human welfare. What try to. And not what may seem new. Is that all people are consulted and that human welfare considerations are articulated as first principles and not taken for granted. He discussed the necessity for the dynamics self-limitation. To the power and responsibility that planners may assume. Consistent with the professional into integrity and functioning of a democracy. And the heavy responsibility on AIPAC. As the main focus

for planning and the profession. With the observation and I quote. If the institute can continue to think of Professional Responsibility. Before it thinks of profession and status and power terms. It can contribute immeasurably to the proper professionalism of planning without descending into the by ways of fighting for status. That have developed that have plagued some other developing professions posable. These criteria have served as a meaningful guide to the institute in its affairs. And to the members of the profession as they have practiced their own affairs. These criteria supported the resolve with which we undertook the reexamination of the purposes of the institute in 1964. Resulting in the report of the committee chaired by Louis what more than one king sixty six and the overwhelming affirmative vote of the

membership of the Institute approving the recommended amendment to the article in our Constitution which deals with the Purposes of the INS. At the 40th annual conference to which I have referred the keynote speaker quick Newton. A former mayor of a major American city and then the president of the University of national recognition remarked. You have a terse definition in your constitution which indicates that your principal focus of interest in the planning of urban communities and their environs and of states region in the nation is through the determination of the comprehensive arrangement of land uses and land occupancy and the regulation thereof. Frankly he said I am glad that I was ignorant of this definition when I was mayor of Denver. And didn't discover it until preparing for this talk. Because for eight successive years I relied upon the Denver planning office for analysis and judgment upon many city problems which were

clearly outside the definitions scope. I find the actual record of your professional activities much more illuminating. A record which has steadily broadened the concepts and practice of planning by the action of the institute's membership as reported in the current AI canoeist letter with the affirmative expression of 88 percent of the vote cast purposes become more reflective of the demands on planning by elected officials and society generally. Why this action is. Well. We have recognized not only the dynamics of useful planning but the relevance of the interdisciplinary disciplinary effort which this conference exemplified. As you can gather I am not presenting to you a conference summary to this point that would border on being presumptuous. And like of the papers that have been prepared in the discussions they have stimulated. I am trying to share with you some

sense of the perspective with which we undertook this effort. As an institute and offer some of the personal judgments which come through to me in connection with our deliberations this week. In the latter regard. I suggest that it is time. To put the image of America as a pastoral society to rest. To fully recognize that we are an urban nation. And make the commitment demanded by the task. Of making our urban society livable. Seventy percent of our people reside in urban areas. 80 percent is on the near horizon. They are to resolve problems of poverty human relations housing pollution conservation Traffic Education Health and Welfare to demand a national policy to

plan program and manage massive and unrelenting change in national effort like the Marshall plan dealing with these concerns. With the deep involvement of private enterprise is in order. So is the a rearrangement of priorities and resources as the expression of an affirmative surge of personal commitment on morality and national will and action. Contemporary national national policy concerning population economic and resources development as pioneered by the national resources planning board over 25 years ago. Merits high attention in the New York Times last July. Charles Abrams talked about. Rich country poor cities recalling for me the final paragraphs from Wilfred Owen's entertaining and sober.

Fable on how cities solve their transportation problems. And I quote. When the urbanites saw the sparkling new challenge and the beauty of the restored cities they could hardly believe their eyes. Now they saw it was possible to be urbanized and civilized as well as motorised and mechanized. For they had learned four basic principles for solving the problems of urbanisation 1. The principal problems of cities is not how to move but how to live to. Improving the conditions of living. Can't do more than anything else. To reduce the need for moving. Forward. But providing transportation is not just a matter of getting things moved. It is also a major means of improving the urban environment. And

fourth looked at this way. Transportation has ceased to be a problem because technology and systems techniques have made it a solution. Then the urbanites burst into laughter to think how stupid they had been. And I thank all the people in public and private life. Whose efforts had made the urban revolution possible. And they call themselves the grateful society. And there were some urbanites. But there were some urbanites who refused to laugh. Or even to be grateful. And they stood around in small groups shaking their heads and wondering. If our country is so rich why are our cities so poor. And to this day no one has been able to answer that question. Quote Abrams said that an anomaly in the American scene is the arrival of an urban economy at the same time that our great cities are declining and growth and prestige. It concluded that the problem of the city

is more than the slum. And its solution entails more than ensuring the mortgages of lending institutions or building some housing projects. The influence on city of city life on the national culture is fading. Love of the city is disappearing. And people in the United States are losing their cars to cities and their faith in them. Not only because the cities are failing to meet all the needs of urban life. But also because neither the state nor the nation are as yet prepared to provide for them. Great civilizations have been the reflection of great cities. It is time that we reaffirm our conviction and faith in the city. The instrument which fashions our civilization. It is time that we marshal our resources to support the ingredients of that urban civilization. A wide choice of jobs for all manner. Of variety of living

environments for all people. Maximum opportunity to associate and communicate with other men. And maximum possibility to find inspiration in beauty and recreation. In this task the role of the planner the IP planner. Is to analyze advise. And advocate. Within the areas of his special competence. We must recognize that plans are policies and policies if they are to be more than art for art's sake require politics to give them life. This gives even greater meaning to a primary responsibility we have to government and to the elected officials who bear the burden of the decisions which give effect to policies plans and programs. Planning is concerned with man's way of living and working. The problems he faces in those activities and how he goes about dealing with them. We find ecologists social

planners economic planners urban designers and planning generalists operating at varying Geographic scales and levels of government. All of these skills are needed in dealing with our total environment in all of its substance and dimension. Achieving a logic and balance in its use and development and improving the quality of living of all people. Kevin Lynch reminds us that we need not be frightened by our burgeoning urban areas. That's the heart of the critics is on Justified that our challenge is the quality of the metropolis as a device for supporting the activities of a complex population and for promoting the growth of the individual and the small group. He questions and I share his query the completeness with which the new chair is viewed as a remedy for urban ills in our nation.

No chance in our country where urbanization is advanced or part of the physical fiber of established metropolitan regions but have not yet individually revealed any unique affirmative response to its social and economic conservatives in responding to the challenge she advocates. Most single strategy. But an environment which is open adaptable diverse and responsive to the functioning of the metropolis integrated with its surrounding region. This suggests the urgency of an atmosphere which will encourage exploration innovation and the application of the American genius. To raising the productivity and cultural status of those caught by poverty to applying new technologies to housing transportation and new concepts of urban design. And to resolving the constraints in our public and private systems of operation

which impede and sometimes paralyze needed evaluation. Decision and action in shaping what the years may bring. Throughout the plea has been made for a level of research support and activity that will reduce the dependence of planning efforts on impracticable attempts at prediction. And the training and availability of the manpower suited to do the job. For how many of us can share the insight of the rabbi. Who had the reputation for knowing what was in a man's mind by reading his thoughts. As the story in the Tolman goes a wicked boy came to see him and said Rabbi I have a small bird in my hand is it alive or is it dead. And the boy thought to himself. If he says it is dead I will open my hand and let it fly away. If he says it is alive I will quickly squeeze and show him it is dead. And then the boy repeated the

question. Rabbi I have in my hand a small bird. Is it alive or is it dead. And the rabbi gazed steadily at him and finally said quietly. Whatever you will whatever you will. Everything changes and yet remains the same as we recall the team of architects landscape architects engineers and attorneys who characterized the early years of AI paid their unique quality as planners was the ability to translate knowledge and social commitment into policies plans and programs. This is perhaps the special ingredient of the IP plan or the planner in a democratic society. Whose mission has been described as placing the art and science of city regional state and national planning at the service of our society. A mission which reflects the firm belief. That our own particular professional

skills are imperfect as they may be. In a less than perfect world. Are an essential part of the governing of our society. We are using as a legacy for future generations. The institutions and processes that will give each a better chance to cope with its particular problems and opportunities. That was Irving hand the president of the American Institute of planners and executive director of the Pennsylvania State Planning Board to conclude this week's final programme on Americas needs during the next 50 years. We will here enact some brief remarks from a distinguished University of California educator Dr. William L. C. Wheaton dean of the Berkeley campuses college of Environmental Design widely known as a consultant author and educator. He was formally chairman of the Harvard University Department of regional planning. He has served as head of the advisory committees in many cities dealing with planning and is

a former chairman of the board of the National Housing Conference. To conclude our program here is Dr. William L. S. Wheaton I would like to close the loophole Taisha change sure is familiar to all of you. It was the best attorneys. It was the worst attendance. It was the age of wisdom it was the age of foolishness. It's the season of like it was the season of Darkness it was the spring of hope it was the winter of despair we had everything before us we had nothing before us. The words of course are the opening paragraph of Dickens Tale of Two Cities Britain more than a century ago about an earlier period on liberty equality and fraternity where the banner for mankind and faith

in man was stemming from the age of reason. And now a century later these words seemed singularly appropriate despite a century and two world wars which has dimmed the vision of the age of reason. Despite a century and a half in which perhaps nationality and individuality and technology every place Liberty Equality and Fraternity as our de-facto rather goals rather than as an expression of our social ideals. In that 19th century 100 utopias were written. They were chiefly social or religious or cultural in the 20th century. I suppose 10000 utopias have been written and they're chiefly science fiction for us to

solve the developement problems of the world. It is clear that we must return in some degree to those earlier goals that we must proceed in a phase in the human spirit. But we must also proceed in the face that technology can somehow be heard just to serve human ends. Planning the premises the still face it requires the creation or the existence of institutions which can serve human ends. It requires that they said goals reflecting the varying targets of human beings. But finally it requires the full use of the scientific method

as a means of achieving human ends. It's been a great privilege to first just be trading meeting on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the American history planners. I declare this meeting adjourned and closing out this conference that was the dean of the College of environmental design at the Berkeley campus of the University of California Dr. William L. S. Wheaton. You have been listening to the final program in our series dealing with America's needs for planning during the next 50 years. We hope you have been able to join us for many if not all of these 13 presentations. Your comments are welcomed and should be addressed to the station to which you are now listening. This is Bill Greenwood a public affairs director of the national educational radio network speaking from Washington D.C..

There's has been another program in the NPR series in the next 15 years expressing a variety of opinions on the future of the democratic environment. We were given to think if you're going to run for the American Institute of planners held in Washington in October of last year as to leave money for loose my mind how it will Greenwood and Jack Burns and I when you am you Af-Ams American University Radio in Washington D.C. This is and we are the national educational radio network.