Urban Planning For Dummies E-Book

Jordan Yin

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 527

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

How to create the world's new urban future With the majority of the world's population shifting to urban centres, urban planning--the practice of land-use and transportation planning to help shape cities structurally, economically, and socially--has become an increasingly vital profession. In Urban Planning For Dummies, readers will get a practical overview of this fascinating field, including studying community demographics, determining the best uses for land, planning economic and transportation development, and implementing plans. Following an introductory course on urban planning, this book is key reading for any urban planning student or anyone involved in urban development. With new studies conclusively demonstrating the dramatic impact of urban design on public psychological and physical health, the impact of the urban planner on a community is immense. And with a wide range of positions for urban planners in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors--including law firms, utility companies, and real estate development firms--having a fundamental understanding of urban planning is key to anyone even considering entry into this field. This book provides a useful introduction and lays the groundwork for serious study. * Helps readers understand the essentials of this complex profession * Written by a certified practicing urban planner, with extensive practical and community-outreach experience For anyone interested in being in the vanguard of building, designing, and shaping tomorrow's sustainable city, Urban Planning For Dummies offers an informative, entirely accessible introduction on learning how.

Leseprobe

Urban Planning For Dummies®

Visit www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/urbanplanning to view this books’ cheat sheet.

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

What You’re Not to Read

Foolish Assumptions

How This Book Is Organized

Part I: What Is Urban Planning?

Part II: Putting All the Pieces Together: The Main Components of an Urban Plan

Part III: Hot Topics and Urban Planning Challenges

Part IV: Getting Involved and Going Further

Part V: The Part of Tens

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I: What Is Urban Planning?

Chapter 1: Making Great Cities: Why Planning Matters

The Three Ps: People, Places, and Plans

Planning for changing places

Making plans for making places

Putting people in the plan

The Way Things Work: The Components of a Plan

Land use

Housing

Transportation

Urban design

Environmental issues

Infrastructure and services

Building the Future: Urban Planning Challenges and Techniques

Making cities sustainable

Renewing older cities

Dealing with sprawling cities

Helping cities before and after disasters

Supporting the local economy

Growing globally

Ready for More? Next Steps and New Ideas

Improving your community

Considering a career in urban planning

Chapter 2: Changing Places: Planning for the 21st Century

Some Places Are Growing and Others Are Shrinking

Places for People: Demographic Trends

Planning for all ages

Planning for a diverse population

For Richer or Poorer: Economic Trends

Cities that work: Where the jobs are

Different places, different jobs: What kind of city is yours?

The Shape of Things to Come: Changing Urban Geographies

Sprawling cities

Environmental concerns and changing cities

More People, Bigger Cities: The Global Urban Challenge

Going to the city: The global move to cities

Going big: The rise of the megacity

Chapter 3: Who Makes Urban Plans and Why

Different Kinds of Urban Plans

Why Communities Make Plans

Planning for changing communities

Meeting legal requirements for plans

Urban Plans for Different Types of Communities

Cities and towns

Metropolitan areas

Neighborhoods, downtowns, and districts

Public Participation in Urban Planning

Local government planners and officials

State, federal, and other government agencies

Related professions

Community stakeholders

Chapter 4: Making Plans: A Step-by-Step Approach

Launching a Plan

Planning to plan

Informing the community

Understanding the Community

Using information

Pinpointing strengths and weaknesses

Looking Ahead: Creating a Vision and Setting Goals

Seeing the future: Creating a vision statement for the community

Picking priorities: Planning goals and objectives

Making Choices: Deciding on Planning Strategies and Actions

Planning strategies and actions

Coordinating goals and strategies

Describing how the plan will be implemented, evaluated, and updated

Getting Busy: Carrying Out the Plan

Adopting the plan

Implementing the plan

Keeping Track: Monitoring Progress and Updating the Plan

Making a difference? How to monitor progress

When and why to update the plan

Part II: Putting All the Pieces Together: The Main Components of an Urban Plan

Chapter 5: Land Use: A Place for Everything

Why Land Use Is So Important

Land use and urban development

It’s all related: Land use and other plan components

A Little Bit of Everything: Existing Land Use

Examining land use classifications

Classifying properties

Looking at existing land use with inventories and maps

Coming Soon! Planning for Future Land Use

How much land is available? Analyzing supply

How much land will we need? Forecasting demand

Using Zoning and Land Use Regulations

Zoning laws and maps

Types of zoning classifications

Zoning techniques

Other land use regulations that affect site development

LULUs and SOBs: Dealing With Controversial Land Uses

Investigating some common problem land uses

Making the best of a bad situation

Chapter 6: Housing: A Place to Call Home

Gimme Shelter: The Role of Housing

Housing and quality of life

Housing, land use, and the demand for public services

No Place Like Home: Kinds of Housing

Types of housing

Housing for special needs

Affordable housing

From Suburbs to Mixed Use: Types of Residential Areas

Housing and the Urban Plan: Taking Stock of Housing in Your Community

Keeping up with demand: Is there enough housing?

What kinds of housing are available?

This old house: Housing maintenance

Location, location, location: Is housing close to where people work and shop?

Looking at costs: Is housing affordable?

Going green: Environmentally friendly housing

Chapter 7: Moving the City: Transportation

Making Us Mobile: Why Transportation Matters

The Transportation System: It’s All Connected

Roadways

Public transportation systems

Pedestrians, pedals, and paths

Commercial transportation

Assessing Transportation Conditions

Are we there yet? Assessing traffic problems

Serving the whole city: Can you get there from here?

Making an impact: Transportation and the environment

Keeping Us Moving: Transportation Planning

Expanding and improving local transportation

Managing traffic: Old problems, new solutions

Making it green: Reducing environmental impacts

Chapter 8: The City Beautiful: Urban Design

The Role of Urban Design: Making Meaningful Places

Design Elements: The Building Blocks of Cities

Buildings, lots, and blocks

Streets

Neighborhoods and districts

Cities and regions

Urban Design: Blending Form and Function

Making places attractive and user-friendly

Creating a sense of place

Encouraging sustainability

Designing the Community

Participatory design methods: Engaging the community

Place-making approaches: Using design techniques

Chapter 9: The Great Outdoors: Natural Resources, Open Space, and More

Saving the Future: Conserving and Protecting the Environment

Identifying Elements of the Urban Environment

Ecological resources

Conservation areas

Open space and parks and recreation

Monitoring and Managing the Environment

Keeping an inventory and monitoring conditions

Coordinating the management of natural resources

Chapter 10: Infrastructure and Public Services: Something for Everyone

Keeping the City Running

Providing infrastructure and services: Why they’re important

Coordinating infrastructure and services with changing cities

The Backbone of the City: Utilities and Services

Energy

Water and sewer

Other utilities and related services

Community Facilities and Services

Public safety

Schools

Other services and facilities

Are You Being Served? Evaluating Infrastructure and Services

Are community needs being met?

Are there adequate locations for future improvements?

How much? The costs of capital improvements

What are the environmental impacts?

Part III: Hot Topics and Urban Planning Challenges

Chapter 11: Greening the City: Making Sustainable Places

Examining the Pillars of Sustainability

Planning for Sustainable Communities

Tackling climate change

Using local resources

LEED-ing the way: Eco-friendly buildings

Planning greener cities

Growing the city’s greenprint

Using New Tools to Plan for a Greener Future

Chapter 12: Urban Revitalization: Cities on the Rebound

Making Dynamic Downtowns

How cities are bringing people and businesses back to Main Street

The new wave of downtown housing: Lofts, high-rises, and urban villages

Just Add Water(fronts): Capitalizing on Proximity to Water

Keeping It Cool: Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

Creative cities: Cultural amenities that strengthen urban development

Performance spaces: Promoting arts districts and cultural facilities

Preserving History

Using historic districts to preserve the city

Restoring the past: New uses for old buildings

Strengthening Urban Neighborhoods

Revitalizing urban neighborhoods with improved housing and services

Expanding social services to reach distressed urban neighborhoods

Chapter 13: Rushing to the Suburbs: Managing Sprawl

What’s Urban Sprawl?

Costs and Consequences: Why Urban Sprawl Matters

Spreading too far? Environmental impacts of urban sprawl

Paying more, getting less: Sprawl and government spending

Growing apart: Sprawl and social issues

Growing Smart and Sprawling Less

The Big Picture: Regional Strategies

Promoting regional planning

Visioning regional development patterns

Coordinating land use regionally

Conserving open space

Making smart public investments

Local Solutions: What Cities and Suburbs Can Do

Designing communities with compact land use patterns

Staying put: Building communities for the long term

Chapter 14: Healing the City: Planning and Disasters

Recognizing Risks in a Changing World

Cities at risk: Types of hazards

Who helps?

Planning for Disaster-Resistant Communities

Assessing community risks

Reducing potential hazards: The enemy you know

Recovering from Disasters: Rebuilding Cities and Restoring Communities

Disaster preparedness and emergency response: Helping in a hurry

Post-disaster re-planning and rebuilding

Chapter 15: Taking Care of Business: Jobs and Economic Development

Making Places That Work

Helping the local economy

Looking at the local economy

Planning for Local Economic Development

Strengthening the community’s economic base

Developing major projects: Build it and they will come?

Chasing smokestacks: Attracting businesses to your community

Eds, meds, and feds: Looking at the role of education, medicine, and government

Helping at home: Supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses

People power: Preparing workers for good jobs

Economic Development Programs and Policies

Marketing the community

Using financial incentives

Coordinating economic development with land use

Chapter 16: Global Urban Planning: Answering the Challenges of Growth and Development

Finding a Place for the Next Three Billion People

Global urbanization trends

Global urban planning challenges

Cities of Asia: Roaring into a New Century

Shanghai: The “head of the dragon”

Mumbai: Big and getting bigger

Cities of Africa: Overcoming Poverty and Improving Lives

Johannesburg: Laying the foundation for prosperity

Cairo: Bringing modern changes to an ancient city

Cities of Latin America: Searching for Stability

Mexico City: Planning for growth and sustainability

São Paulo: The challenges of hyper-urbanization

Part IV: Getting Involved and Going Further

Chapter 17: Getting Involved in Your Community

Getting More Information on Local Planning Issues

Finding information about local planning

Getting information about development projects, zoning decisions, permits, and other land use issues

Learning more about your community

Getting Your Point Across: Attending Public Meetings and Hearings

Being a Part of the Solution: Participating in Planning

Taking Action! Opportunities for Volunteering, Activism, and Social Entrepreneurship

Making It Official: Joining a Planning Commission

Chapter 18: Becoming a Professional Urban Planner

What Do Urban Planners Do?

Preparing urban plans

Carrying out development projects

Handling day-to-day operations

The Skills You Need to Be an Urban Planner

The ability to understand and identify patterns of community change

The ability to manage the entire planning process

The ability to digest lots of information

Technical skills

Communication skills

A Growing Field: Careers in Urban Planning

Education and training in urban planning

Urban planning specialties

Employment opportunities in urban planning

Part V: The Part of Tens

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Make Your Community a Better Place to Live, Work, and Play

Make Public Places That People Will Love

Help People Get Where They’re Going

Pay Attention to Design Details

Make Room for Nature

Include Different Types of Housing

Provide Places for Recreation

Build a Sense of Community

Revitalize Neighborhoods

Grow Smart

Make the First Move

Chapter 20: Ten Great Cities with Great Plans

Rome

Amsterdam

Savannah

Washington, D.C.

New York City

The Garden Cities of England

Canberra

Chandigarh

Vancouver

Celebration

Chapter 21: Ten Urban Plans You Can Find Online

A Recovery Plan for New Orleans’s Lower Ninth Ward

A Regional Plan for Chicago

Planning for Health and Wellness in California

New York City: Bigger and Greener by 2030

Boulder’s Plan for Transit- Oriented Development

Tulsa’s Community Vision

Grand Rapids’s Blueprint for the Future

Planning the Suburbs in Ohio

Planning for America’s Megaregions

Designing the Future in Fayetteville

Appendix: Resources

Cheat Sheet

Urban Planning For Dummies®

by Jordan Yin, PhD, AICP

Urban Planning For Dummies®

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Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Yin, Jordan, 1970–

Urban planning for dummies / Jordan Yin.

Includes index.

Issued also in electronic formats.

ISBN 978-1-118-10023-3

1. City planning. 2. Land use—Planning. I. Title.

HT166.Y56 2012 307.1’216 C2011-908072-9

ISBN 978-1-118-10168-1 (ebk); 978-1-118-10166-7 (ebk); 978-1-118-10167-4 (ebk)

Printed in the United States

1 2 3 4 5 RRD 15 14 13 12 11

About the Author

Jordan Yin, PhD, AICP, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and his experience growing up in this great American city inspired him to pursue a career as an urban planner. He has also lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jordan has been involved in urban planning for more than 20 years. He has worked extensively with universities, government agencies, and community organizations on a wide range of issues, including neighborhood planning, affordable housing, environmental conservation, economic development, comprehensive planning, downtown redevelopment, and poverty reduction initiatives.

Jordan is a faculty member of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate classes in urban and regional planning, including workshop classes that engage students in real-world community service projects related to urban planning. He received master’s and doctoral degrees in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University and has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 1996. Jordan writes a blog about urban planning on his website, www.ask-a-planner.com.

Dedication

To my daughter, Evan. We’ll go out for ice cream more often, I promise.

Author’s Acknowledgments

The opportunity to write a For Dummies book about urban planning has been one of the great experiences of my career. It is also a shining example of the old adage “Be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it.” Without the assistance and support of many people, this already daunting task might have become simply impossible. I thank Robert Hickey and Elizabeth Kuball of the For Dummies series for their invaluable assistance and encouragement on a day-to-day basis. Suggestions and comments from my technical editor, Jennifer Cowley of The Ohio State University, have been especially valuable and appreciated. I owe much of my expertise in urban planning to mentors and colleagues who have shown me the way over many years, especially Norman Krumholz and Pierre Clavel. I am also greatly appreciative of my colleagues at Cleveland State University and have particularly benefited from the support of Edward (Ned) Hill, Wendy Kellogg, W. Dennis Keating, and Sung-Gheel Jang. Joseph Grengs of the University of Michigan and Susan Hoffmann of Western Michigan University also provided valuable support. The professional assistance of Scott Shapiro and Gordon Hare is greatly appreciated. Lastly, the comfort and support of friends and family have been of tremendous importance in seeing this project to completion, including the Yin, Burness, Huston, Dowd, Kasper, Jacobs, Northeim, Henderson-Terwilliger, Holverstott-Cockrell, Wood-Provence, Wassom, May, Antisdale, Posner, Zulewski, Enos, Cross-Coleman, and Moncrief families. Thanks to all.

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Foreword

I have occasionally heard someone say that “urban planning isn’t rocket science.” My reply? “You’re right — it’s a lot more complex.” In fact, it’s also not for dummies and you’re reading this book because you’re not a dummy. In all likelihood, you’re already involved in making your community a better place and you may even be involved in planning. If this is your first time reading about urban planning, you’re taking a step in a great direction.

Urban planning, in fact, goes by many names, including city planning, community planning, town planning, and regional planning. These terms reflect the diversity of the places that we call home, and I’m proud to serve as the CEO of the American Planning Association, an educational organization whose members are making great communities happen. Urban planning works to improve the welfare of people and their communities by creating places that are more convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient, and attractive for both present and future generations. Planning creates places of lasting value where generations can prosper. Good urban planning provides civic leaders, businesses, and citizens with an opportunity to play a meaningful role in improving and enhancing their communities by envisioning the future and making choices about development, essential services, environmental protection, and innovative changes. Good planning and good governance go hand in hand — you can’t have one without the other.

Urban Planning For Dummies reflects the spirit of hopefulness and commitment to progress that has driven the profession of urban planning for more than a century. Jordan Yin has been a practicing member of the American Institute of Certified Planners for more than 15 years and teaches urban planning at Cleveland State University’s College of Urban Affairs, a leading program in the United States that offers accredited professional training in urban planning. Throughout this book, Jordan talks in a plainspoken manner about the challenges and opportunities facing today’s communities, discusses cutting-edge techniques that are being used in urban planning, and provides numerous and valuable real-world examples of how thoughtful urban planning approaches are making a difference in communities small and large throughout the United States and around the world. This book is an excellent window into the world of urban planning, and I invite you to join myself, Jordan, thousands of professional planners, and many, many more residents and community leaders in planning a bright future for our communities.

W. Paul Farmer, FAICP

W. Paul Farmer, FAICP, is CEO of the American Planning Association (APA) and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). He managed several departments as executive director of the Department of Planning and Development for the city of Eugene (Oregon) and served as director of the Department of City Planning for the city of Minneapolis, and deputy planning director for the city of Pittsburgh. He has taught in the graduate urban planning programs at the University of Oregon, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Introduction

“Make no little plans.” So said the great urban planner Daniel Burnham, the force behind Chicago’s revolutionary 1893 World’s Fair and the epic 1909 Plan of Chicago. These plans helped transform Chicago from a gritty industrial town into an architectural palace and vibrant modern metropolis. Chicago’s success also influenced the planning of other cities all over the world. Burnham believed that making great places required imaginative plans that inspired people to take bold actions.

And because you’re reading this book, you probably share Burnham’s enthusiasm for the future of cities and their regions — places where people can live, work, and play while treating the planet in a responsible manner and leaving a legacy for future generations. Urban planning helps make great places possible by combining an understanding of how places grow and change with a wide range of specific techniques that help communities solve problems and prepare for the future.

Whether you’re looking for some background information on a specific aspect of urban planning, have ambitions to become a professional urban planner, or are looking for ways to become more involved in your community, this book can help you better understand urban planning and how to create successful communities.