What's Wrong With Urban Planning

A freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune airs his frustrations with urban planning, and tries to offer an alternative solution.

1 minute read

September 25, 2003, 8:00 AM PDT

By Connie Chung


"What we do hear from urban 'reformers' is the same tired, nostrums about the need for 'smart growth,' a thinly disguised pleading for concentrating political, zoning, transportation planning and other powers that influence the urban form in the hands of a few....What we need is some truly original thinking by urbanologists, or as they like to say, a new paradigm. The cities of the 19th Century grew in compact, dense forms because of the economic and social requirements imposed on them--a face to face economy and horse-and-buggy transportation. The postwar period brought with it new requirements as well as preferences for mobility, safety and self-determination that reshaped the metropolitan form. Obviously, the city will never disappear, because spatial proximity of people always will be present....Widespread acceptance of the idea that production is more important than physical presence could have a huge, and beneficial, impact on urban form. Meanwhile, just let the rest of us, including immigrants, live where and how we want. It would be good for society."

Thanks to Connie Chung

Monday, September 22, 2003 in The Chicago Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing