Theory is important in planning because it provides a framework for understanding planning phenomena. It provides description and explanation as well as guides the development of strategies in order to address problems in actuality. The use of theory in planning also gives the planner the authority and the legitimacy of providing different alternatives or courses of action without being accused of misconduct.
This may be exemplified, for instance, in the comprehensive-rational model which is so far considered the best theoretical framework for the study of planning. The said model allows the planner to clarify goals, analyze the past and existing situation, develop strategies or alternatives, choose the best alternative, implement it and monitor the results. The process is scientific in nature. As the term implies, it is comprehensive because it covers all aspects such as social, economic, environmental, physical and institutional. The model requires adequate information on said aspects. As such, it may provide a clearer picture of what is happening in a locality for instance. Said information may be useful, if properly organized, in coming up with appropriate strategies to solve a wide range of issues. Such practice also enhances the technical expertise of the planner, as well as its legitimacy. The model also gives the planner, particularly if he/she is just a beginner in the field, with a sense of identity.
However, the comprehensive-rational approach is not without disadvantages. Critics of the model say that some problems faced by the society do not require comprehensive study. Others say that the model is too idealistic because in reality, comprehensiveness is difficult to achieve if not impossible. Besides, since the model necessarily involves several sectors, these sectors may have “conflicting” priorities which are difficult to consolidate.
16 July 2009
15 July 2009
Planning Defined
Different people define planning in different ways. Common among these definitions of planning is that it is a deliberate and organized activity intended to achieve desired results based on the past and present conditions. Planning, therefore, is forethought. It is future-oriented.
Ernest Alexander provided a summary of different definitions given by various authors and professionals in the planning field… “planning is a deliberate social or organizational activity of developing optimal strategy of future actions to achieve desired results of solving novel problems, in complex context, and attend to commit resources and act as necessary to implement the chosen strategy”. The definition provided by Alexander stresses that planning is directed towards the future and it may be a response to certain dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Planning is actually an integral part of any social action. In more practical terms, planning is basically an activity that aims to solve societal problems in general, such as pollution, traffic congestion, illegal settlement, and garbage. Planning, of course, brings benefits to the society. It provides a basis for resource allocation, particularly when resources are limited and finite. It also serves as a tool to promote social equity, such that, by involving the people in the planning process – from the formulation of plan up to the implementation and evaluation – their voices and concerns are heard and are taken into consideration, particularly the marginalized sectors of the society.
Planning promotes scientific efficiency. The modern day society, for instance, has been characterized by technological innovations which make, or which are intended to make life easier. These are not totally beneficial but somehow these provide ease and comfort to people.
Planning enhances civic beauty. As experienced in the past, the growing population had created complex problems in the cities which caused the cities to “deteriorate”. To bring back the “beauty” of the cities, planning was the answer.
Ernest Alexander provided a summary of different definitions given by various authors and professionals in the planning field… “planning is a deliberate social or organizational activity of developing optimal strategy of future actions to achieve desired results of solving novel problems, in complex context, and attend to commit resources and act as necessary to implement the chosen strategy”. The definition provided by Alexander stresses that planning is directed towards the future and it may be a response to certain dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Planning is actually an integral part of any social action. In more practical terms, planning is basically an activity that aims to solve societal problems in general, such as pollution, traffic congestion, illegal settlement, and garbage. Planning, of course, brings benefits to the society. It provides a basis for resource allocation, particularly when resources are limited and finite. It also serves as a tool to promote social equity, such that, by involving the people in the planning process – from the formulation of plan up to the implementation and evaluation – their voices and concerns are heard and are taken into consideration, particularly the marginalized sectors of the society.
Planning promotes scientific efficiency. The modern day society, for instance, has been characterized by technological innovations which make, or which are intended to make life easier. These are not totally beneficial but somehow these provide ease and comfort to people.
Planning enhances civic beauty. As experienced in the past, the growing population had created complex problems in the cities which caused the cities to “deteriorate”. To bring back the “beauty” of the cities, planning was the answer.
13 July 2009
On Comprehensive Planning: A Personal Viewpoint
After my studies at the School of Urban and Regional Planning, I envision myself to be involved in comprehensive planning. With a background in public administration and urban and regional planning, as well as work experience in a national government agency providing supervision to local government units in the country, I believe I can aptly apply my knowledge and skills in the said kind of planning.
I see comprehensive planning as both interesting and challenging. Based on a rational and systematic approach, this kind of planning would allow me to take part in the generation of a lot of data and information which may be useful for a variety of requirements. Since it covers a wide range of aspects relating to people and the environment, whether natural or man-made, I would be able to learn more (for instance, not just about a particular sector, but also about other interrelated sectors) and understand further the dynamics in planning as I apply the different tools and methods, particularly in analyzing planning-related problems, evaluating alternatives against planning goals and relating these to a set of collective values of the community, and providing recommendations to multiple issues. With these, it would be possible for me to gain identity in the said field, as well as a sort of social recognition and prestige.
On the other hand, comprehensive planning poses challenges as well as criticisms. For one, since it involves different stakeholders, including the community in general, conflicting interests may sometimes be unavoidable. As a comprehensive planner, I must be able to fully develop my negotiation skills so that relatively good plans (those that would ultimately advance the general welfare and not the interest of only few) will get implemented. Another challenge would be to start planning for a particular area where pertinent data and information are not available. The solution to such situation is not impossible though. Again, as a comprehensive planner, I must be able to maximize the data gathering methods so that available resources will not be wasted.
Some critics would say that a number of planning problems do not require comprehensive technical solutions. In response to this, I would like to be known as a flexible comprehensive planner. As such, I must be able to provide recommendations to problems, whether comprehensive or otherwise, based on careful analysis. Other critics would comment that comprehensive planning has little impact. I would like to stress that the impact of planning does not come from the planner alone, but from various stakeholders. In other words, comprehensive planning would succeed in situations where different stakeholders arrive at a consensus and consolidate their efforts to implement the good plan in the most efficient and effective manner.
Despite the challenges and criticisms linked to comprehensive planning, I would still prefer to be involved in this type of planning. This, however, does not stop me from getting involved in activities which resemble those in other types of planning. As previously mentioned, I would like to be known for being a flexible comprehensive planner.
I see comprehensive planning as both interesting and challenging. Based on a rational and systematic approach, this kind of planning would allow me to take part in the generation of a lot of data and information which may be useful for a variety of requirements. Since it covers a wide range of aspects relating to people and the environment, whether natural or man-made, I would be able to learn more (for instance, not just about a particular sector, but also about other interrelated sectors) and understand further the dynamics in planning as I apply the different tools and methods, particularly in analyzing planning-related problems, evaluating alternatives against planning goals and relating these to a set of collective values of the community, and providing recommendations to multiple issues. With these, it would be possible for me to gain identity in the said field, as well as a sort of social recognition and prestige.
On the other hand, comprehensive planning poses challenges as well as criticisms. For one, since it involves different stakeholders, including the community in general, conflicting interests may sometimes be unavoidable. As a comprehensive planner, I must be able to fully develop my negotiation skills so that relatively good plans (those that would ultimately advance the general welfare and not the interest of only few) will get implemented. Another challenge would be to start planning for a particular area where pertinent data and information are not available. The solution to such situation is not impossible though. Again, as a comprehensive planner, I must be able to maximize the data gathering methods so that available resources will not be wasted.
Some critics would say that a number of planning problems do not require comprehensive technical solutions. In response to this, I would like to be known as a flexible comprehensive planner. As such, I must be able to provide recommendations to problems, whether comprehensive or otherwise, based on careful analysis. Other critics would comment that comprehensive planning has little impact. I would like to stress that the impact of planning does not come from the planner alone, but from various stakeholders. In other words, comprehensive planning would succeed in situations where different stakeholders arrive at a consensus and consolidate their efforts to implement the good plan in the most efficient and effective manner.
Despite the challenges and criticisms linked to comprehensive planning, I would still prefer to be involved in this type of planning. This, however, does not stop me from getting involved in activities which resemble those in other types of planning. As previously mentioned, I would like to be known for being a flexible comprehensive planner.
09 July 2009
Fixed Location Factor
Land is fixed in location and immobile. This fixed location attribute influences various utilization of land. According to Barlowe, this has a bearing on human decisions or preferences concerning the value and use-capacity of various places; land-utilization practices; private ownership, land values, uses, and ownership conditions to the local environment; and legal description of properties (1958).
On human decisions or preferences
Rational thinking and choices dictate that some portions of the earth’s surface are more advantageous than the others. These preferred areas gain economic significance and value when used by an individual or group of individuals to meet certain needs and demands. For example, a businessman would put up a business in a metropolis where he might expect the largest flow of customers and trade and thus the biggest yield. In such respect, said area has a locational advantage. An economic location is thus established by combining human choice and physical location. As Barlowe has explained:
The concept of economic location assumes that some areas enjoy locational advantages over the others. This advantage often involves savings in transportation costs and time; and it stems partly from the fact that the law of diminishing returns makes it both physically impossible and economically impracticable for man to produce all his market goods at points adjacent to a central market. Location advantages also result from the higher productivity and lower production costs associated with particular sites (1958:32).
Moreover, since most sites can accommodate only one use at a time, the need to link the fixed geographic or spatial relationships that separate various areas arises. This can be resolved by providing transportation means. In this respect, the area that has locational advantage is the one where there are savings in transportation costs and time. For instance, an individual would reside in a place near the office where he goes to work or near the shopping center where he buys his basic necessities. Such decisions may be based on his savings in transportation costs and time, whichever activity he values most.
On land-utilization practices
Relative to the above, land location prescribes the use of land. Different uses of land can be observed at varying distance from the market. Time, effort, and convenience are relevant factors that are considered in determining the use of a particular tract of land. As to the said factors for instance, maximum savings can be realized if heavy and bulky products are manufactured near the market.
On ownership and community ties
Because of fixed location factor, standardization of properties is impossible with parcels of land. This is because tracts of land “differ in location and have different neighbors and different spatial relationships with respect to other properties and facilities” (Barlowe, 1958: 36).
On legal description of properties
The fixed location factor helps in describing the location of various land holdings, which in turn facilitates the legal description of land titles.
Reference:
Barlowe, Raleigh. Land Resource Economics: The Political Economy of Rural and Urban Resource Use. (New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1958).
On human decisions or preferences
Rational thinking and choices dictate that some portions of the earth’s surface are more advantageous than the others. These preferred areas gain economic significance and value when used by an individual or group of individuals to meet certain needs and demands. For example, a businessman would put up a business in a metropolis where he might expect the largest flow of customers and trade and thus the biggest yield. In such respect, said area has a locational advantage. An economic location is thus established by combining human choice and physical location. As Barlowe has explained:
The concept of economic location assumes that some areas enjoy locational advantages over the others. This advantage often involves savings in transportation costs and time; and it stems partly from the fact that the law of diminishing returns makes it both physically impossible and economically impracticable for man to produce all his market goods at points adjacent to a central market. Location advantages also result from the higher productivity and lower production costs associated with particular sites (1958:32).
Moreover, since most sites can accommodate only one use at a time, the need to link the fixed geographic or spatial relationships that separate various areas arises. This can be resolved by providing transportation means. In this respect, the area that has locational advantage is the one where there are savings in transportation costs and time. For instance, an individual would reside in a place near the office where he goes to work or near the shopping center where he buys his basic necessities. Such decisions may be based on his savings in transportation costs and time, whichever activity he values most.
On land-utilization practices
Relative to the above, land location prescribes the use of land. Different uses of land can be observed at varying distance from the market. Time, effort, and convenience are relevant factors that are considered in determining the use of a particular tract of land. As to the said factors for instance, maximum savings can be realized if heavy and bulky products are manufactured near the market.
On ownership and community ties
Because of fixed location factor, standardization of properties is impossible with parcels of land. This is because tracts of land “differ in location and have different neighbors and different spatial relationships with respect to other properties and facilities” (Barlowe, 1958: 36).
On legal description of properties
The fixed location factor helps in describing the location of various land holdings, which in turn facilitates the legal description of land titles.
Reference:
Barlowe, Raleigh. Land Resource Economics: The Political Economy of Rural and Urban Resource Use. (New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1958).
02 July 2009
Challenges, Opportunities, and Lessons Learned in the Practice of EnP Profession
Challenges
Capacity (education, work experience)
Limited, particularly for young EnPs
More general/less specific
Planning environment (ideal vs. actual)
Resources (people, funds, etc.)
Institutions/structures, consultative mechanisms, tools, etc.
Opportunities
Trainings/learning opportunities (e.g., specialized seminars/workshops, travels, information technology)
Partnerships/advocacies (with the government, private sector, civil society, international community, academe, etc.)
Lessons Learned So Far
Focus (field/s of expertise)
Build up and maintain a planning database
Be flexible/customize without sacrificing quality
Capacity (education, work experience)
Limited, particularly for young EnPs
More general/less specific
Planning environment (ideal vs. actual)
Resources (people, funds, etc.)
Institutions/structures, consultative mechanisms, tools, etc.
Opportunities
Trainings/learning opportunities (e.g., specialized seminars/workshops, travels, information technology)
Partnerships/advocacies (with the government, private sector, civil society, international community, academe, etc.)
Lessons Learned So Far
Focus (field/s of expertise)
Build up and maintain a planning database
Be flexible/customize without sacrificing quality
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