<span><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">Over the last six months some of my blog entries have highlighted plans and places. This month I turn to processes that are important in planning. This is a bit trickier than plans and places as the web presence of processes tends to be dominated by project examples and how-to instructions. It’s also hard from the web to get a sense of how processes have developed over time—for example what passes as rational comprehensive planning today, complete with numerous participatory processes and evaluation strategies, is quite different from the much criticized technical model of the 1950s and 1960s. Of course that’s a good reason to go to planning school.
Over the last six months some of my blog entries have highlighted plans and places. This month I turn to processes that are important in planning. This is a bit trickier than plans and places as the web presence of processes tends to be dominated by project examples and how-to instructions. It's also hard from the web to get a sense of how processes have developed over time-for example what passes as rational comprehensive planning today, complete with numerous participatory processes and evaluation strategies, is quite different from the much criticized technical model of the 1950s and 1960s. Of course that's a good reason to go to planning school. With those caveats, below I list some useful process links.
- Dr. Paul Johnson's Glossary of Political Economy Terms includes a number of process definitions including incrementalism; rational comprehensive models; systems theory; organizational process; and bureaucracy. More detail can be found in specialist works like The International Encyclopedia of Social and Behavioral Sciences (ed. Neil J. Smelser and Paul B. Baltes, 2001, Elsevier) but such volumes are typically only available via subscription. Dr. Johnson is to be thanked for making his site freely available.
- One of my favorite participation pages is People and Participation.net at http://www.peopleandparticipation.net/display/Involve/Home. You need to register for some features but it is free. Their Process Planner is a really nifty tool that suggests options for participation given the type of process, available resources, political support, and prior work: http://www.peopleandparticipation.net/display/ProcessPlanner/Home. The range of potential methods is extensive: http://www.peopleandparticipation.net/display/Methods/browse+methods
- Community Planning.net, a project of Nick Wates Associates, has another great list of methods with a leaning toward design: http://www.communityplanning.net/methods/methods.php. The site also includes downloadable forms (in the toolbox), scenarios, project examples, and a lot more.
- The World Habitat Awards takes a best practices approach. Its web site lists award winners and finalists back to 1986 in a searchable database: http://www.worldhabitatawards.org/winners-and-finalists/?lang=00. This site is international in scope and covers a wide range of project and plan types.
The Slow Streets Reckoning
Slow streets programs provided a quick short-term solution and paved the way for some permanent street closures and realignments. Now, these programs are getting a second look as community groups react to the changes.
Are Virtual Public Meetings Here For Good?
Online public hearings and other meetings have become commonplace. A case can be made to continue virtual meetings even in the post-COVID-19 era.
For Success, Smart Cities Need Stakeholder Engagement
Smart cities technologies are not going to lead to the right outcomes unless end users are recognized as integral players in the planning process.
Houston Apartments To Be Demolished for Freeway Widening
Despite a federal hold on the controversial freeway widening project, the Texas Department of Transportation is pushing ahead with the demolition of an apartment complex in downtown Houston.
San Francisco Just Ended Single-Family Zoning
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to Tuesday to eliminate single-family zoning, but pro-development advocates say additional changes are needed to unleash a wave of construction.
Land Banking to Prevent Transit-Oriented Displacement in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will implement a new land banking program to mitigate gentrification and displacement around future transit lines.
State Reports Seeks To Guide Warehouse Development in New Jersey
With demand for sprawling e-commerce warehouses growing, New Jersey’s State Planning Commission has released a series of documents outlining best practices for cities examining warehouse proposals.
Manhattan Congestion Pricing Could Start in 2023
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has resubmitted its environmental impact assessment to federal officials, who sent the agency over 400 additional questions earlier this year.
Whitefish ADU Ordinance Could Ease Housing Crunch
Recently approved revisions to the city’s accessory dwelling unit regulations prioritize long-term rentals to increase housing affordability for local renters.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
City of Rolling Hills Estates
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard Graduate School of Design Executive Education
City of Apache Junction
City of Helena
Gallatin County, Montana
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
