The Art of Planning

The Planning profession although relatively short in time has undergone mass change since the 1930’s to the present as it has had to adapt to the physical and technological growth of an ever changing  world and demanding societies. In Birch’s article Practitioners and the Art of Planning, the phrase, “The Art of Planning” in which art is defined as design (physical planning), craft (techniques and methods) and presentation (personal skills and attributes) is what distinguishes planning from any other fields or professions. It gives planning its identity which throughout the evolution of society has changed from a profession that only looked at the physical side of a town with no input from the public to a respected profession which incorporates the professions of architecture, economics and environmental science whilst mediating for a sustainable environmental, economic and sociable society. Such change and adaption has been documented in different volumes of the planners “Green Book” since the 1940’s with Cincinnati planner Ladislas Segoe's initial edition containing only information on the technical side of planning which involved diagnosing physical planning problems and then finding solutions. The next substantial transition which again is highlighted in the Green Book is in the 1960’s and 1970’s where industrial restructuring and edge city growth (suburbanisation) began to blossom which lead to planning focus and initiatives such as urban renewal and decentralisation. The 1980’s, 1990’s until present was another major planning transition which lead to more specific specialisations in the profession that focused on environmental planning, urban design, transportation, economic development, advocacy and political policies. As you can see overtime the art of planning which is the design, craft and presentation has adapted throughout various transitions throughout the century to meet the needs of society and create sustainable communities. These days planning is a complicated mix and balance of social, economic and environmental issues that need to be dealt with whilst still meeting the needs of the current communities and future generations.