🏙️Sustainable Urban Planning Unit 12 – Policy and Planning Processes

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Urban planning involves the design and regulation of the uses of space that focus on the physical form, economic functions, and social impacts of the urban environment
• Sustainability in urban planning aims to create cities that are livable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly for current and future generations
• Policy frameworks provide a structure for urban planning decisions and actions, guiding the development and implementation of plans and regulations
• Stakeholders include individuals, groups, and organizations that have an interest or concern in the planning process and outcomes (residents, businesses, government agencies)
• Zoning regulations divide a city into different areas or zones, specifying the allowed uses, densities, and building requirements for each zone
  • Euclidean zoning separates land uses into distinct categories (residential, commercial, industrial)
  • Form-based zoning focuses on the physical form of buildings and their relationship to the street
• Comprehensive plans, also known as master plans or general plans, outline the long-term vision and goals for a city's development
• Public participation involves engaging the community in the planning process through various methods (public meetings, surveys, workshops)

Historical Context of Urban Planning

• Urban planning has evolved over time in response to changing social, economic, and environmental conditions
• The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century led to rapid urbanization and the need for organized planning to address issues of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of infrastructure
• The City Beautiful movement in the early 20th century emphasized the aesthetic and civic aspects of urban design, focusing on grand public spaces and monumental architecture (Chicago's Burnham Plan)
• The Garden City movement, pioneered by Ebenezer Howard, proposed self-contained communities surrounded by greenbelts to combine the benefits of urban and rural living
• Modernist planning in the mid-20th century, influenced by the ideas of Le Corbusier and the Congrès Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM), advocated for the separation of land uses, high-rise housing, and automobile-oriented development
  • Critics argued that modernist planning led to the destruction of traditional urban fabrics and the creation of inhuman, sterile environments
• The rise of environmental concerns and the concept of sustainable development in the late 20th century led to a renewed focus on ecological planning and the integration of social, economic, and environmental goals
• New Urbanism and Smart Growth movements in the 1990s and 2000s promoted walkable, mixed-use communities and transit-oriented development as alternatives to sprawl

Policy Frameworks and Legislation

• National, state, and local laws and regulations provide the legal basis for urban planning and policy development
• The U.S. Housing Act of 1949 established a national goal of "a decent home and suitable living environment for every American family" and provided funding for urban renewal and public housing
• The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their actions and consider alternatives
  • NEPA mandates the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for major federal projects
• The Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, both passed in the 1970s, set national standards for air and water quality and required states and cities to develop plans to meet these standards
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires public spaces and facilities to be accessible to people with disabilities
• State-level growth management laws, such as Oregon's Land Conservation and Development Act and Florida's Growth Management Act, require local governments to develop comprehensive plans and regulate development to manage growth and protect natural resources
• Local zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and building codes shape the physical form and function of cities and neighborhoods
• International agreements, such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change, provide a framework for global cooperation on sustainable urban development

Stakeholders and Their Roles

• Local government officials, including mayors, city council members, and planning commissioners, are responsible for setting policies and making decisions about urban development
• City planners and urban designers develop plans, regulations, and design guidelines to shape the physical form and function of cities
• Developers and real estate professionals build and manage the physical infrastructure of cities, including housing, commercial properties, and public spaces
• Architects and engineers design buildings, infrastructure, and public spaces that shape the urban environment
• Community organizations and neighborhood associations represent the interests of residents and advocate for their needs and concerns in the planning process
  • These groups can provide valuable local knowledge and help to build community support for planning initiatives
• Business owners and chambers of commerce promote economic development and represent the interests of the business community
• Environmental organizations advocate for the protection of natural resources and the promotion of sustainable development practices
• Social justice and equity organizations work to ensure that the benefits and burdens of urban development are distributed fairly and that the needs of disadvantaged communities are addressed
• Academic institutions and research organizations provide expertise and conduct studies to inform planning decisions and evaluate the impacts of policies and projects

Planning Process Steps

• The planning process typically begins with the identification of a problem or opportunity that requires a planning response
• Stakeholder engagement involves reaching out to the community and other interested parties to gather input and build support for the planning process
  • This can include public meetings, surveys, focus groups, and online engagement tools
• Data collection and analysis involves gathering and interpreting information about the current conditions and trends in the community, such as population growth, economic activity, and environmental quality
• Goal setting and visioning involve articulating the desired future state of the community and establishing broad goals and objectives to guide the planning process
• Plan development involves creating a detailed plan that outlines specific policies, programs, and projects to achieve the established goals and objectives
  • This can include land use plans, transportation plans, housing plans, and other specialized plans
• Plan adoption involves formally approving the plan through a legislative or administrative process, such as a vote by the city council or planning commission
• Implementation involves putting the plan into action through the development of regulations, capital improvement programs, and other mechanisms
• Monitoring and evaluation involve tracking the progress of plan implementation and assessing the impacts of the plan on the community over time
  • This can include regular progress reports, performance measures, and feedback from stakeholders

Tools and Techniques for Policy Development

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based tools for mapping and analyzing spatial data, such as land use patterns, demographics, and environmental conditions
• Scenario planning involves developing and evaluating alternative future scenarios based on different assumptions about key drivers of change, such as population growth, economic trends, and technological innovations
• Impact assessment tools, such as fiscal impact analysis and environmental impact assessment, are used to evaluate the potential costs and benefits of different planning options
• Participatory planning techniques, such as charrettes and community workshops, engage stakeholders in the planning process and help to build consensus around shared goals and priorities
• Form-based codes are a type of zoning regulation that emphasizes the physical form of buildings and their relationship to the street, rather than the specific uses of the buildings
• Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) programs allow property owners to sell their development rights from one property to another, as a way to direct growth away from sensitive areas and toward areas that are better suited for development
• Incentive zoning provides bonuses or other incentives to developers in exchange for providing public benefits, such as affordable housing or open space
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) strategies focus on creating compact, mixed-use communities around transit stations to promote sustainable transportation and reduce automobile dependence

Case Studies and Real-World Applications

• The High Line in New York City is an example of a successful adaptive reuse project that transformed an abandoned elevated railway into a popular public park and catalyst for economic development
• Curitiba, Brazil, is often cited as a model of sustainable urban planning, with its integrated transportation system, green space network, and social programs that have improved quality of life for residents
• Portland, Oregon, has been a leader in urban growth management, with its urban growth boundary and policies to promote compact, mixed-use development and protect natural areas
• Singapore has implemented a comprehensive planning framework that integrates land use, transportation, and environmental planning to create a livable, sustainable, and economically competitive city-state
  • This includes a robust public housing program, extensive green infrastructure, and innovative water management strategies
• Medellin, Colombia, has transformed itself from a city plagued by violence and poverty to a model of social urbanism, with investments in public transportation, libraries, and community centers that have improved access to opportunities for disadvantaged communities
• The Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project in Seoul, South Korea, involved removing an elevated highway and restoring a natural stream corridor, creating a new public space and improving environmental quality in the heart of the city
• The Hammarby Sjöstad district in Stockholm, Sweden, is a model of sustainable urban development, with a closed-loop system that integrates energy, waste, and water management to minimize environmental impacts and promote resource efficiency

Challenges and Future Trends

• Climate change poses significant challenges for urban planning, including the need to adapt to rising sea levels, more frequent and intense natural disasters, and changing weather patterns
• Rapid urbanization, particularly in developing countries, is putting pressure on cities to provide adequate housing, infrastructure, and services for growing populations
• Social and economic inequalities within and between cities are creating challenges for urban planning, including the need to address issues of poverty, segregation, and access to opportunities
• Aging infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems, requires significant investments to maintain and upgrade
• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of resilient and adaptable urban systems, including the need for more flexible public spaces, telework options, and local supply chains
• Smart city technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and artificial intelligence, are creating new opportunities for urban planning and management, but also raise concerns about privacy, security, and equity
• The sharing economy, including ride-hailing, home-sharing, and co-working, is disrupting traditional models of urban development and requiring new approaches to regulation and governance
• The rise of autonomous vehicles and other new mobility technologies has the potential to transform urban transportation systems and land use patterns, but also raises questions about safety, accessibility, and the future of public transit