'High-density myth is Lutton's legacy'

Linley Lutton’s legacy will include his exploding of the belief that higher-density living will automatically make cities better, mourners at his funeral were told.
John Dowson, president of the Fremantle Society, outlined some of Dr Lutton’s public achievements at his funeral last week after his death on January 7, aged 65 (Linley dreamt of cities full of soul, POST, January 13).
Dr Lutton, of Wembley Downs, was an urban planner and educator who argued for more people-friendly development in the western suburbs.
He said the first aim of a city’s town planning and architecture should be the mental and physical health of residents.
“Linley was particularly concerned at the relentless push for higher-density developments while at the same time concerned at Australians’ obsession with larger and larger houses with insufficient outdoor living space, trees or landscape,” Mr Dowson said.
Simply increasing density does not in itself improve the quality of life
“In terms of density, he said: ‘The fundamental flaw in our planners’ thinking is their belief that, through density, cities become livelier and more connected.
“What they fail to grasp is that it is the intensely rich sensory experience and diverse mix of human activity, not density, which makes cities so liveable.
“Simply increasing residential densities does not in itself improve the quality of city life.” Mr Dowson said Dr Lutton always argued his case like the gentleman he was.
“Lana Turner may have said ‘a gentleman is simply a patient wolf, but Linley was rational and kind, imbued with the philosophy of sense of place that epitomised George Seddon’s work.”
Dr Lutton courageously spoke out against vested interests when he perceived the public interest was,at risk.
“It has been very hard for people like Linley to be heard and to be effective when developers in this state have so much power and influence at state and local government level, Mr Dowson said.
“Bodies like the Heritage Council are basically now a developers’ club, and the National Trust focuses on education and not advocacy.
“There is a great deal of stress working pro bono in a hostile environment.
“Still, he achieved a great deal and inspired many people.
“The clear signposts he has given us point to a better future.
“Linley’s philosophy is neatly summed up by the headline in the POST: Linley dreamt of cities full of soul.
“He wants ‘cities and towns full of soul and authentic character, reflecting the spirit of people.’
“I hope Linley’s students carry his philosophy with them through their lives, and I hope Linley’s friends celebrate this wonderful unselfish man, by helping to promote the values he so lovingly put forward.”

Linley Lutton...'Rational and kind gentleman'.

Freotopia

This page incorporates material from Garry Gillard's Freotopia website, that he started in 2014 and the contents of which he donated to Wikimedia Australia in 2024. The content was originally created on 13 March, 2018 and hosted at freotopia.org/authors/lutton/legacy.html (it was last updated on 19 April, 2024), and has been edited since it was imported here (see page history). The donated data is also preserved in the Internet Archive's collection.