The Visible Hand

"To Seward Mott, who headed FHA's Land Planning Division, the legislation's mandate provided an opportunity to redirect the design of suburban America and to create conditions that would force public officials and planners alike to adopt planning measures and to abandon the rectilinear grid in favor of plans of curvilinear streets. Curvilinear plans had many advantages when compared to rectilinear gridiron plans: they provided greater privacy and visual interest; could be adapted to greater variations in topography; reduced the cost of utilities and road construction; and, by eliminating the need for dangerous four-way intersections, provided a safer environment for domestic activities.(93)

The curvilinear layouts recommended by FHA in the 1930s set the standards for the design of post-World War II subdivisions."

"The FHA set forth seven minimum requirements for new subdivisions:

1. Location exhibiting a healthy and active demand for homes.

2. Location possessing a suitable site in terms of topography, soil condition, tree cover, and absence of hazards such as flood, fog, smoke, obnoxious odors, etc.

3. Accessibility by means of public transportation (streetcars and buses) and adequate highways to schools, employment, and shopping centers.

4. Installation of appropriate utilities and street improvements (meeting city or county specifications), and carefully related to needs of the development.

5. Compliance with city, county or regional plans and regulations, particularly local zoning and subdivision regulations to ensure that the neighborhood will become stable (and real estate values as well.)

6. Protection of values through "appropriate" deed restrictions (including setbacks, lot sizes, minimum costs of construction).

7. Guarantee of a sound financial set up, whereby subdividers were financially able to carry through their sales and development program, and where taxes and assessments were in line with the type of development contemplated and likely to remain stable.

In addition, FHA issued a set of "desirable standards," which, although not strict requirements, were additional factors that influenced the approval of a project.

• Careful adaptation of subdivision layout to topography and to natural features

• Adjustment of street plan and street widths and grades to best meet the traffic needs

• Elimination of sharp corners and dangerous intersections

• Long blocks that eliminated unnecessary streets

•Carefully studied lot plan with generous and well-shaped house sites

• Parks and playgrounds

• Establishment of community organizations of property owners

• Incorporation of features that add to the privacy and attractiveness of the community."- U.S. Dept. Of Interior