🏙️Sustainable Urban Planning Unit 12 – Policy and Planning Processes
Urban planning shapes cities through design and regulation, focusing on physical form, economic functions, and social impacts. Sustainability in planning aims to create livable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly cities for current and future generations.
Policy frameworks guide urban planning decisions, while stakeholders like residents, businesses, and government agencies influence outcomes. Zoning regulations, comprehensive plans, and public participation are key tools in creating well-planned, sustainable urban environments.
Urban planning involves the design and regulation of the uses of space that focus on the physical form, economic functions, and social impacts of the urban environment
Sustainability in urban planning aims to create cities that are livable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly for current and future generations
Policy frameworks provide a structure for urban planning decisions and actions, guiding the development and implementation of plans and regulations
Stakeholders include individuals, groups, and organizations that have an interest or concern in the planning process and outcomes (residents, businesses, government agencies)
Zoning regulations divide a city into different areas or zones, specifying the allowed uses, densities, and building requirements for each zone
Euclidean zoning separates land uses into distinct categories (residential, commercial, industrial)
Form-based zoning focuses on the physical form of buildings and their relationship to the street
Comprehensive plans, also known as master plans or general plans, outline the long-term vision and goals for a city's development
Public participation involves engaging the community in the planning process through various methods (public meetings, surveys, workshops)
Historical Context of Urban Planning
Urban planning has evolved over time in response to changing social, economic, and environmental conditions
The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century led to rapid urbanization and the need for organized planning to address issues of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of infrastructure
The City Beautiful movement in the early 20th century emphasized the aesthetic and civic aspects of urban design, focusing on grand public spaces and monumental architecture (Chicago's Burnham Plan)
The Garden City movement, pioneered by Ebenezer Howard, proposed self-contained communities surrounded by greenbelts to combine the benefits of urban and rural living
Modernist planning in the mid-20th century, influenced by the ideas of Le Corbusier and the Congrès Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM), advocated for the separation of land uses, high-rise housing, and automobile-oriented development
Critics argued that modernist planning led to the destruction of traditional urban fabrics and the creation of inhuman, sterile environments
The rise of environmental concerns and the concept of sustainable development in the late 20th century led to a renewed focus on ecological planning and the integration of social, economic, and environmental goals
New Urbanism and Smart Growth movements in the 1990s and 2000s promoted walkable, mixed-use communities and transit-oriented development as alternatives to sprawl
Policy Frameworks and Legislation
National, state, and local laws and regulations provide the legal basis for urban planning and policy development
The U.S. Housing Act of 1949 established a national goal of "a decent home and suitable living environment for every American family" and provided funding for urban renewal and public housing
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their actions and consider alternatives
NEPA mandates the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for major federal projects
The Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, both passed in the 1970s, set national standards for air and water quality and required states and cities to develop plans to meet these standards
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires public spaces and facilities to be accessible to people with disabilities
State-level growth management laws, such as Oregon's Land Conservation and Development Act and Florida's Growth Management Act, require local governments to develop comprehensive plans and regulate development to manage growth and protect natural resources
Local zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and building codes shape the physical form and function of cities and neighborhoods
International agreements, such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change, provide a framework for global cooperation on sustainable urban development
Stakeholders and Their Roles
Local government officials, including mayors, city council members, and planning commissioners, are responsible for setting policies and making decisions about urban development
City planners and urban designers develop plans, regulations, and design guidelines to shape the physical form and function of cities
Developers and real estate professionals build and manage the physical infrastructure of cities, including housing, commercial properties, and public spaces
Architects and engineers design buildings, infrastructure, and public spaces that shape the urban environment
Community organizations and neighborhood associations represent the interests of residents and advocate for their needs and concerns in the planning process
These groups can provide valuable local knowledge and help to build community support for planning initiatives
Business owners and chambers of commerce promote economic development and represent the interests of the business community
Environmental organizations advocate for the protection of natural resources and the promotion of sustainable development practices
Social justice and equity organizations work to ensure that the benefits and burdens of urban development are distributed fairly and that the needs of disadvantaged communities are addressed
Academic institutions and research organizations provide expertise and conduct studies to inform planning decisions and evaluate the impacts of policies and projects
Planning Process Steps
The planning process typically begins with the identification of a problem or opportunity that requires a planning response
Stakeholder engagement involves reaching out to the community and other interested parties to gather input and build support for the planning process
This can include public meetings, surveys, focus groups, and online engagement tools
Data collection and analysis involves gathering and interpreting information about the current conditions and trends in the community, such as population growth, economic activity, and environmental quality
Goal setting and visioning involve articulating the desired future state of the community and establishing broad goals and objectives to guide the planning process
Plan development involves creating a detailed plan that outlines specific policies, programs, and projects to achieve the established goals and objectives
This can include land use plans, transportation plans, housing plans, and other specialized plans
Plan adoption involves formally approving the plan through a legislative or administrative process, such as a vote by the city council or planning commission
Implementation involves putting the plan into action through the development of regulations, capital improvement programs, and other mechanisms
Monitoring and evaluation involve tracking the progress of plan implementation and assessing the impacts of the plan on the community over time
This can include regular progress reports, performance measures, and feedback from stakeholders
Tools and Techniques for Policy Development
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based tools for mapping and analyzing spatial data, such as land use patterns, demographics, and environmental conditions
Scenario planning involves developing and evaluating alternative future scenarios based on different assumptions about key drivers of change, such as population growth, economic trends, and technological innovations
Impact assessment tools, such as fiscal impact analysis and environmental impact assessment, are used to evaluate the potential costs and benefits of different planning options
Participatory planning techniques, such as charrettes and community workshops, engage stakeholders in the planning process and help to build consensus around shared goals and priorities
Form-based codes are a type of zoning regulation that emphasizes the physical form of buildings and their relationship to the street, rather than the specific uses of the buildings
Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) programs allow property owners to sell their development rights from one property to another, as a way to direct growth away from sensitive areas and toward areas that are better suited for development
Incentive zoning provides bonuses or other incentives to developers in exchange for providing public benefits, such as affordable housing or open space
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) strategies focus on creating compact, mixed-use communities around transit stations to promote sustainable transportation and reduce automobile dependence
Case Studies and Real-World Applications
The High Line in New York City is an example of a successful adaptive reuse project that transformed an abandoned elevated railway into a popular public park and catalyst for economic development
Curitiba, Brazil, is often cited as a model of sustainable urban planning, with its integrated transportation system, green space network, and social programs that have improved quality of life for residents
Portland, Oregon, has been a leader in urban growth management, with its urban growth boundary and policies to promote compact, mixed-use development and protect natural areas
Singapore has implemented a comprehensive planning framework that integrates land use, transportation, and environmental planning to create a livable, sustainable, and economically competitive city-state
This includes a robust public housing program, extensive green infrastructure, and innovative water management strategies
Medellin, Colombia, has transformed itself from a city plagued by violence and poverty to a model of social urbanism, with investments in public transportation, libraries, and community centers that have improved access to opportunities for disadvantaged communities
The Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project in Seoul, South Korea, involved removing an elevated highway and restoring a natural stream corridor, creating a new public space and improving environmental quality in the heart of the city
The Hammarby Sjöstad district in Stockholm, Sweden, is a model of sustainable urban development, with a closed-loop system that integrates energy, waste, and water management to minimize environmental impacts and promote resource efficiency
Challenges and Future Trends
Climate change poses significant challenges for urban planning, including the need to adapt to rising sea levels, more frequent and intense natural disasters, and changing weather patterns
Rapid urbanization, particularly in developing countries, is putting pressure on cities to provide adequate housing, infrastructure, and services for growing populations
Social and economic inequalities within and between cities are creating challenges for urban planning, including the need to address issues of poverty, segregation, and access to opportunities
Aging infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems, requires significant investments to maintain and upgrade
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of resilient and adaptable urban systems, including the need for more flexible public spaces, telework options, and local supply chains
Smart city technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and artificial intelligence, are creating new opportunities for urban planning and management, but also raise concerns about privacy, security, and equity
The sharing economy, including ride-hailing, home-sharing, and co-working, is disrupting traditional models of urban development and requiring new approaches to regulation and governance
The rise of autonomous vehicles and other new mobility technologies has the potential to transform urban transportation systems and land use patterns, but also raises questions about safety, accessibility, and the future of public transit