Let s make the planning profession great again!

Transcription

1 Let s make the planning profession great again!

2 Urban planning is a trivial profession Jane Jacobs and the Death and Life of American (2011) Thomas Campanella; Associate professor of Urban Cornell University

3 The era of Jane Jacobs and the rise of public input: diminished the planning profession privileged grassroots input over planning authority and expertise Created planners that lack the courage to express a bold vision of the future has become a diffuse and ineffective profession

4 Trust Vancouver City Manager hopes new planner will fix relations with residents Vancouver lost the trust of its resident groups in recent years, its city manager acknowledges. resident groups complained the Vision Vancouver council was ramming through [development] approvals without listening to local input. City Hall isn't listening? Experts say Calgary can do more to engage citizens in projects The public engagement process is scripted to have professional consultants set up storyboards with communication spin doctors laying out the proposals already decided upon to match council (or) administrative directives.

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6 Challenges facing planning The planning profession is diffuse and ineffective, mainly due to the privileging of public input over expert knowledge A growing segment of the public lacks trust in planners and suspect the planning process is stacked against them

7 Solutions 1. Let s stop focusing on public input! The public will know we don t care about their input can refocus on physical planning and therefore more effective OR 2. Let s focus on enhancing the value professional planners add and ensure it is understood and recognized!

8 Competencies of the planning profession Process Planner Physical Community Building

9 Physical planning Process Spatial relationship between things and people Understanding the relationship of form and function Design elements of the built environment Inter-relationship between public infrastructure, private land/buildings and core urban functions Physical Planner Community Building

10 Process Community Building Planners have a role in building community by: Helping to fostering relationships and networks within the community Being a planning resource - lending expertise and facilitating community activities Physical Planner Community Building By doing so, planners can strive to build a relationship of trust before difficult planning decisions need to be made

11 Process Fostering relationships Between planners and the community Develop trust and understanding Physical Planner Community Building Between members of the community Develop a sense of mutual respect and responsibility (cohesiveness)

12 Process Being a planning resource Communities often feel like they have no one on their side Lend guidance and expertise on: planning theory and practice relevant policy, and the planning process Help communities undertake small-scale planning initiatives Develop a sense of agency among residents and a sense of ownership and pride in their neighbourhood Physical Planner Community Building

13 4th ave. flyover project

14 process Process Planner Physical Community Building Become stewards of the planning process Take ownership of its integrity and fairness

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16 process Process Planner Physical Community Building Planners need to articulate more clearly The intent of the planning process The planner s role in the process The public s role in the process

17 Principles of the planning process Inclusiveness - everyone who is potentially impacted by the planning issue has the right to be included in the process and efforts should be made to ensure they can participate. Enlightened understanding - citizens must have the opportunity to share information, so they can discover and affirm what preferred outcome best serves their needs, whether altruistic or selfish Effective participation - Citizens must have equal opportunities to form their opinion and discuss it with others, including decision makers. Essentially, they must have the opportunity to influence decision makers

18 What is the planner s role? Process The planner s role in the planning process is to: Be a steward of the process strive to ensure principles are achieved Provide a professional, independent recommendation to Council or other authority Physical Planner Community Building

19 The planner s recommendation

20 Process What is the role of the public? The public s role in the planning process is to participate in the process to: Share information with others, including planners Gain an enlightened understanding of the planning issue Participate in the process and provide a personal, independent recommendation to Council Physical Planner Community Building

21 Welcome to the last slide!