1. A
new capital wasn’t really everyone’s cup of tea
Uniting colonies brought with it a vast array of economic, political and cultural issues. Specific matters ranging from the formation of a central government to a central economical body were on the main agenda; therefore, a specific seat for parliament was not necessarily seen as a key concern at the time. However, the reservation of a site for the US Constitution inspired the Australian architects to ensure national government could have its own home. (p.3)
Uniting colonies brought with it a vast array of economic, political and cultural issues. Specific matters ranging from the formation of a central government to a central economical body were on the main agenda; therefore, a specific seat for parliament was not necessarily seen as a key concern at the time. However, the reservation of a site for the US Constitution inspired the Australian architects to ensure national government could have its own home. (p.3)
2. People
really, really wanted the capital to be theirs
Up until a compromise was negotiated in the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900, there were intense debates between Melbourne and Sydney regarding location (p.3). It was decided that the capital would be no further than one hundred miles from Sydney; Melbourne would provide a seat for Parliament until its new home was ready. As a result, many rural townships in NSW began petitioning the Government to become the future capital, as it would bring many economic and social benefits. That is, until Yass-Canberra district was chosen in December 1908 based on several aspects of climatic conditions, water supply and land area. (p.4)
3.
…And others really didn’t
care where it would beUp until a compromise was negotiated in the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900, there were intense debates between Melbourne and Sydney regarding location (p.3). It was decided that the capital would be no further than one hundred miles from Sydney; Melbourne would provide a seat for Parliament until its new home was ready. As a result, many rural townships in NSW began petitioning the Government to become the future capital, as it would bring many economic and social benefits. That is, until Yass-Canberra district was chosen in December 1908 based on several aspects of climatic conditions, water supply and land area. (p.4)
The reality was that most wouldn’t really gain anything from the development of a new capital. For most of the general public it didn’t matter if the ‘taxation factory’ was located hundred kilometres closer or further from them, it would make little difference (p.5). Similarly, WA was so far away that the location or the design of the capital was thoroughly disinteresting (p.15)
4. Many craved an amazing capital
Figures such as DH Souter and
George Sydney Jones, spoke of creating a
capital that would be a beauty of the modern world (however, acknowledging size
limitations), a city made for the future and beyond, rather than just for today
(p.6). In order to do so, the design would need to be “stately, artistic,
commodious, sanitary, picturesque and regal” (p.6). The general notion was that
the city required an elevated position and views, with an evolutionary design
resembling a new ‘Eden’, a city that should be ‘the city beautiful of our
dreams’ (p.8).
5. … others weren’t so enthusiastic
There was also the notion that the federal capital would just end up being a ‘bush capital’ (p.7), believing that it would doing nothing more than serve as a seat for government; thus, it was highlighted that both the costs and size of the building should be limited. Others, like King O’Malley for example, questioned whether or not people would even want to leave cities like Melbourne where “rents are low, and the people are healthy and intelligent.” Moreover, the media, specifically The Bulletin, was extremely critical of the developments before and after the location and design was chosen. Issues of extensive size and costs were identified, as well as the need for an alternative to the Yass-Canberra location, with propositions that seemed almost ‘hysterical’ at the time (p.7).
5. … others weren’t so enthusiastic
There was also the notion that the federal capital would just end up being a ‘bush capital’ (p.7), believing that it would doing nothing more than serve as a seat for government; thus, it was highlighted that both the costs and size of the building should be limited. Others, like King O’Malley for example, questioned whether or not people would even want to leave cities like Melbourne where “rents are low, and the people are healthy and intelligent.” Moreover, the media, specifically The Bulletin, was extremely critical of the developments before and after the location and design was chosen. Issues of extensive size and costs were identified, as well as the need for an alternative to the Yass-Canberra location, with propositions that seemed almost ‘hysterical’ at the time (p.7).
6. Melbourne and Sydney was apparently boring
Many felt that Melbourne and Sydney weren’t anything particularly special (p.5), with Melbourne being referred to as being boring and clean, lacking views, spaces and strength (p.6). Therefore, it was a necessity to create something truly unique and amazing in order to set Canberra apart from the rest and place it into the global spotlight.
7. A
healthy city has specific criteria…
It was deduced through various reports that the location had to provide a variation in topography, have some form of river with the “possibility for ornamental waters.” (p.10). Surveyor Charles Scrivener exclaimed that the Yass-Canberra district provided satisfied all of these needs and more (p.11). Thereafter, associations like the Congress of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors outlined some of the desirable features a federal city should encompass (p.13), for example:
It was deduced through various reports that the location had to provide a variation in topography, have some form of river with the “possibility for ornamental waters.” (p.10). Surveyor Charles Scrivener exclaimed that the Yass-Canberra district provided satisfied all of these needs and more (p.11). Thereafter, associations like the Congress of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors outlined some of the desirable features a federal city should encompass (p.13), for example:
o Building Design – Uniformity of design
o Infrastructure – Moving platforms, elevated sidewalks
o Land use – residential and general land use zoning
o Landscaping –
open space and gardens
8. Higgins was ahead of his time
George Higgins’ address to the Congress of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Members of Allied Professions was significant because he “illustrates the fair distance local planning still had to travel” and outlined the most desirable features of a federal capital (p.11). From appropriate traffic and drainage to pavements that prevent the formation of mud and dust, he addressed almost every detail of development, which was exceptionally progressive for his time (p.11). Moreover, it is important to note that at this period of time that the idea of the ‘Town Planner’ profession was only just emerging.
9. There
were a lot of different early plans for the federal city
For a significant period of time there was no substantial agreement regarding the layout of the city. As a result, from 1901-09 there were varying ideas and concepts of what the appropriate layout were to be (p.19), with the key being:
For a significant period of time there was no substantial agreement regarding the layout of the city. As a result, from 1901-09 there were varying ideas and concepts of what the appropriate layout were to be (p.19), with the key being:
o David – Polygonal spiders web
o Oliver – Radial-concentric
o Cardew – 170o radial-concentric
o Sulman – Octagonal spiders web and an-shaped variation of the spider-web plan
o Hargrave – Utilitarian gridiron street plan for economy
It is also interesting to note that since the profession of Town Planner was yet to exist, these plans were submitted to the government by engineers, architects, lawyers, surveyors and even inventors.
10. Davis’
little venture around the world proved to be key
Most of the early plans and layouts proposed weren’t really up to the standard necessary to create a beautiful city that could compare to the greatest cities in the world. This occurred as a result of the plans coming from within Australia where “Australian professionals were not yet fully engaged with evolving and already quite sophisticated modern planning discourse in other countries” (p.29). Thus, Joseph David, in 1906, was sent to cities such as Paris, London, Washington and Ottawa to engage in foreign developments and ensure the federal city wasn’t left out of touch. He deduced from his travels that a multiple centred radial-spoked layout was recommended, with the provision of substantial park spaces and areas in case expansion occurred (p.29).
Most of the early plans and layouts proposed weren’t really up to the standard necessary to create a beautiful city that could compare to the greatest cities in the world. This occurred as a result of the plans coming from within Australia where “Australian professionals were not yet fully engaged with evolving and already quite sophisticated modern planning discourse in other countries” (p.29). Thus, Joseph David, in 1906, was sent to cities such as Paris, London, Washington and Ottawa to engage in foreign developments and ensure the federal city wasn’t left out of touch. He deduced from his travels that a multiple centred radial-spoked layout was recommended, with the provision of substantial park spaces and areas in case expansion occurred (p.29).
11. The competition was the pinnacle
The international competition not only allowed for Australia to be influenced by the globe (p.30) for the very first time, but was necessary as the nation was still relatively inexperienced in regards to the science of planning (p.29). This international involvement and the hype surrounding the competition was the highlight of the entire planning of the federal city. Things became relatively sour as Griffin began to have disagreements with stakeholders (p.30). Later, Sulman took over the planning and the ideas of a grand city were virtually lost. There was a significant shift towards a practical and economic city, rather than one that was the ‘fantastical child of our imagination’ (p.30).
References:
* Note, all page numbers listed in blog come only from the Firestone reading.
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