Are Planners Irrelevant?

If we as planners don't do better in defining ourselves, we risk being seen as irrelevant and superfluous, writes Leonardo Vazquez in this week's Planetizen Op-Ed.

1 minute read

May 23, 2005, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

If planners do the same things that other professionals do, why do we need them?

Planners have the power to shape perceptions and expectations of urban growth and development. We are often the hub of a large network of community organizations, developers, businesses, policymakers and public managers. The greatest strength a planner has is not in doing demographic projections or cost-benefit analyses, but in influencing the hearts and minds of all actors in urban growth.

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Overcoming the Comfort of Powerlessness

Monday, May 23, 2005 in Planetizen

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