PARKWAYS' INFLUENCE TO UNDERGO RESEARCH

The influence of parkways on land values and social values will be studied by the Harvard University School of City Planning and the Graduate School of Business Administration, in a joint research project conducted by Mr. John Nolen, city planning consultant, and Associate Professor Frank D. Wash burn of the Business School. Various outstanding examples, such as the parkway systems of Boston, Kansas City, Missouri, and Westchester County, New York, will be studied: reasons for success or failure will be determined and the findings stated so that they may be of value to other communities throughout the country.

The permanent character and location of such thoroughfares as parkways gives them particular importance, and makes necessary such a study as the proposed research into the ideal situation for parkway systems. Once established these systems involve the expenditure of millions of dollars of public funds and greatly affect the rate, direction, and character of the growth of our cities.

Mr. Nolan will seek specific answers in such questions as the following. What are now the particular functions of the existing types of parkways? How completely do they fit our present and probable future needs? If they do not fit, what modifications should be made? He will consider the traffic services of parkways and their contribution to public recreation. Do they have an injurious effect upon residential property as they become devoted to highly congested traffic and inter-regional communication or does the provision of a park area between the thoroughfare and the occupied land preserve residential values? Of what service are they in the resuscitation of a blighted district?

The findings will be checked to determine how they have been influenced by a possible transfer of values from other sections, or by general changes in real estate conditions and values, or by changes in money rates and price levels