Light’s Vision
One of the things that puts Adelaide high up on the list of the world’s most pleasant cities is that it’s exceptionally well-planned. It didn’t spring up all higgledy-piggledy like London or any of those other messy old European capitals. Back in 1836, Adelaide was surveyed by Colonel William Light, who designed the city centre as a neat grid of wide streets surrounded by a belt of grassy parklands. The Parklands have become sacred turf—anyone who dares suggest encroaching on them must face the wrath of Adelaidians. In gratitude to Colonel Light, a statue of the great man standing with pointed finger was built on Montefiore Hill, overlooking the city. According to expert calculations, if you follow the line of his finger directly, you will find yourself at the women’s public toilets. [
HV]
