A recent study describes the evolution of planning has become far too sensitive to government thinking (i.e., fiscal conservatism and economic logic) instead of the emotional processes of citizens.
Henry Grabar poses a big question for the practice of planning in a recent article for Next City: "Why does the planning world seem determined to resist approaches that give primacy — or even credence — to the way people feel?"
To ponder the question, Grabar cites a recent study by Howell Baum, a professor emeritus of urban studies at the University of Maryland, titled "Planning with half a mind: Why planners resist emotion" [pdf]. According to Baum, as explained by Grabar, "rationalism has become a harmful bias in planning" as a result of the formalization of the planning profession.
Throughout the article, Grabar responds to the ideas put forward by Baum's study, even calling some of Baum's examples of "emotionally sensitive planning" as outlandish, but allows Baum plenty of space on the page to posit a new, more emotionally aware practice of planning.
FULL STORY: Getting Emotional About Urban Planning
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard Graduate School of Design Executive Education
Harvard Graduate School of Design Executive Education
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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.
