(Hall & Tewdwr-Jones, 2019) ‘urban planning’ conventionally
means something more limited and precise: it refers to planning
with a spatial, or geographical, component, in which the general
objective is to provide for a spatial structure of activities (or of
land uses) which in some way is better than the pattern existing
without planning.
It is concerned with the spatial impact of many different kinds of
problem, and with the spatial coordination of many different
policies. (Hall & Tewdwr-Jones, 2020)
Regional and urban planning are critical disciplines focused on the physical, social,
economic, and environmental development of human settlements and the
broader regions they inhabit. The scope is incredibly broad because planning
deals with how people live, work, and interact with their environment at different
scales.
I. Land Use and Development. This is perhaps the foundational issue in planning.
Zoning and Land Use Allocation: Determining appropriate uses for different
parcels of land (residential, commercial, industrial, open space, agricultural) to
prevent conflicts, ensure efficiency, and achieve desired community character.
Growth Management: Managing the rate, pattern, and location of urban
expansion to prevent sprawl, protect natural resources, ensure infrastructure
capacity, and promote compact development.
Infill and Redevelopment: Strategies for utilizing existing developed land more
efficiently, regenerating declining areas, and promoting sustainable use of
infrastructure.
Density and Building Form: Regulating building heights, setbacks, floor area
ratios, and overall urban design to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and
livable spaces.
Brownfield and Greyfield Redevelopment: Planning for the remediation and
reuse of contaminated industrial sites (brownfields) or underutilized commercial
areas (greyfields).
II. Transportation and Infrastructure
Planning must integrate land use with the systems that support it.
Transportation Networks: Planning for roads, public transit (bus, rail, light rail),
pedestrian walkways, bicycle paths, and freight corridors to ensure efficient, safe,
and equitable movement of people and goods.
Traffic Management: Strategies to reduce congestion, improve safety, and
promote sustainable modes of transport (e.g., carpooling, public transport, active
transport).
Infrastructure Provision: Planning for essential services like water supply,
wastewater treatment, stormwater management, energy grids, and
communication networks to meet current and future needs.
Multi-modal Connectivity: Ensuring seamless transitions between different
modes of transport (e.g., bus stops near train stations, bike parking at transit
hubs).
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Promoting compact, mixed-use
development around public transit stations to increase ridership and reduce car
dependency.
III. Environmental Sustainability and Resilience
Addressing climate change and protecting natural systems is increasingly central
to planning.
Natural Resource Protection: Conserving wetlands, forests, agricultural lands,
water bodies, and critical habitats.
Climate Change Mitigation: Planning for reduced greenhouse gas emissions
through energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy integration, and sustainable
transportation.
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience: Developing strategies to cope with
the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, increased flooding, extreme
heat, and drought (e.g., green infrastructure, resilient building codes, hazard
mitigation plans).
Water Management: Protecting water quality, managing stormwater runoff, and
ensuring sustainable water supply.
Air Quality: Planning for reductions in air pollution through land use and
transportation choices.
Waste Management: Integrating sustainable waste reduction, recycling, and
disposal strategies into regional plans.
Green Infrastructure: Incorporating natural systems (e.g., parks, urban forests,
rain gardens) to provide ecological benefits and enhance urban livability.
IV. Social Equity and Community Development
Planning has a profound impact on quality of life and access to opportunities.
Affordable Housing: Developing strategies to ensure a diverse range of housing
options affordable to all income levels, including inclusionary zoning, subsidies,
and land trusts.
Public Health: Planning for healthy communities through access to green spaces,
healthy food, active transport options, and safe environments.
Social Inclusion: Ensuring that planning benefits all segments of society,
addressing issues of gentrification, displacement, and equitable access to services
and amenities.
Community Engagement and Participation: Involving residents, businesses, and
stakeholders in the planning process to ensure plans reflect community values
and needs.
Access to Services: Ensuring equitable distribution and access to essential public
services like schools, healthcare facilities, parks, and cultural institutions.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED): Designing spaces to
reduce opportunities for crime and enhance feelings of safety.
V. Economic Development
Planning plays a crucial role in fostering robust and sustainable economies.
Job Creation and Economic Diversification: Strategies to attract and retain
businesses, support local industries, and create a diverse economic base.
Local Business Support: Planning policies that foster small businesses, local retail,
and innovation.
Tourism Development: Managing and promoting tourism in a way that benefits
local communities and protects resources.
Infrastructure for Economic Growth: Ensuring adequate utilities, transportation,
and broadband access to support economic activity.
Revitalization of Commercial Centers: Strategies to ensure the vitality of
downtowns and commercial districts.
VI. Governance and Implementation
The practical aspects of making plans happen.
Policy and Regulation: Developing and enforcing zoning ordinances, subdivision
regulations, building codes, and environmental policies.
Inter-jurisdictional Coordination: Planning often involves multiple local
governments, requiring coordination and regional strategies for issues like
transportation, housing, and environmental protection.
Funding and Finance: Identifying sources of funding for infrastructure projects,
public amenities, and planning initiatives (e.g., taxes, bonds, grants, public-private
partnerships).
Monitoring and Evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness of plans and policies and
adapting them as conditions change.
Legal Frameworks: Understanding and operating within the legal context that
governs planning decisions.
VII. Cultural and Historical Preservation
Protecting the unique identity and heritage of places.
Historic Preservation: Identifying, protecting, and revitalizing historic buildings,
districts, and cultural landscapes.
Cultural Asset Mapping: Recognizing and integrating cultural sites, practices, and
expressions into planning.
Sense of Place: Planning that fosters a strong community identity and unique
character, rather than generic development.