Introduction to Spatial Planning
Introduction
Planning, that is process of ‘making a plan’, has been an important part of development of our areas. Planning is the application of conscious thought to the solution of problem or issue. Planning is said to be found at the very centre of the complex mess of technology, politics, culture and economics that create our whole society and its physical presence (Rydin, 2011). As RTPI (2011) defines it, ‘planning is the management of competitive uses for space and making of places that are valued and have an identity.’
Space as a term is very much territorial in nature, and since we are talking about competitive uses of space, it means that a space needs to be used in such a way that it gives the most advantage to the society. Rydin (2011) says that our cities reflect the power structures of the society, which means that they reflect thoughts of whoever has the power to take the decision for the planning of the area. Planning causes lot of changes to an area and economy, especially with the decisions that deal with growth, prosperity and overall well being. But in the past we have seen that the results of changes which are caused are not always desirable for the society as a whole. Some haphazard and unplanned growth decisions have caused large scale damage to the overall society, which is why we need to ‘Plan’!
Planning and Land-use
Lewis Keeble (1969) defines Town Planning as 'the art and science of ordering the use of land and siting of buildings and communication routes so as to secure maximum practicable degree of economy, convenience and beauty'. This definition brings us to the concept of land-use and its role in planning.
Land use planning by definition is the public policy which orders the use of land in a particular area. The most important objective of land-use planning is to make sure that people’s needs are fulfilled and they have availability of land for their various activities. Land-use planning has been one of the earliest methods of
Planning, that is process of ‘making a plan’, has been an important part of development of our areas. Planning is the application of conscious thought to the solution of problem or issue. Planning is said to be found at the very centre of the complex mess of technology, politics, culture and economics that create our whole society and its physical presence (Rydin, 2011). As RTPI (2011) defines it, ‘planning is the management of competitive uses for space and making of places that are valued and have an identity.’
Space as a term is very much territorial in nature, and since we are talking about competitive uses of space, it means that a space needs to be used in such a way that it gives the most advantage to the society. Rydin (2011) says that our cities reflect the power structures of the society, which means that they reflect thoughts of whoever has the power to take the decision for the planning of the area. Planning causes lot of changes to an area and economy, especially with the decisions that deal with growth, prosperity and overall well being. But in the past we have seen that the results of changes which are caused are not always desirable for the society as a whole. Some haphazard and unplanned growth decisions have caused large scale damage to the overall society, which is why we need to ‘Plan’!
Planning and Land-use
Lewis Keeble (1969) defines Town Planning as 'the art and science of ordering the use of land and siting of buildings and communication routes so as to secure maximum practicable degree of economy, convenience and beauty'. This definition brings us to the concept of land-use and its role in planning.
Land use planning by definition is the public policy which orders the use of land in a particular area. The most important objective of land-use planning is to make sure that people’s needs are fulfilled and they have availability of land for their various activities. Land-use planning has been one of the earliest methods of
Bibliography: Cullingworth, J. B and Nadin, V. (2006) Town and Country Planning in the UK, London, Routledge [Fourteenth Edition] CLG (2004) Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, London: Department of Communities and Local Government Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planning/planningpolicyimplementation/reformplanningsystem/planningcompulsory/ [Accessed 12 January 2012] Keeble, L (1969) Principles and Practice of Town and Country Planning, London: Estate Gazette Lord, A and Shaw, D. From land-use to ‘spatial planning’ Reflections on the reform of the English planning system Available at: http://liverpool.metapress.com/content/834x5vp87617g369 [Accessed 13 January 2012] RTPI (2011) What Planning does. RTPI, London. Available at: [Accessed 15 January 2012] Rydin, Y (2011) The Purpose of Planning: Creating Sustainable Towns and Cities, Bristol: Policy Press Williams, R. (1996), European Union – Spatial policy and planning, London, Paul Chapman Publishing Ltd.