Urban Planning is probably one of the most essential disciplines to humanity because as the saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. However, while the term is widely known and the presence or absence of planning is felt by many, the gist of the profession is fairly less understood, especially in countries where it is not prioritized. It is thus important that we learn, in the simplest of terms, what urban planning entails and why it is important.
But first we need to answer the big question….
What is Urban Planning?
The simplest definition of Urban planning is…
“It is the process of allocating sufficient spaces on, below or above the land surface to developments found within the urban areas and ensuring that the spaces are located in such a way that functionality, productivity and environmental soundness can be achieved.”
It is however noteworthy that planning is also done for rural settlements as well as the supra-urban spaces (which in most cases include both urban and rural environments). When it occurs in the latter case, it becomes regional planning…. Hence the term “Urban and Regional Planning.”
So then, what exactly do Urban Planners do?
To answer this question properly, it is essential to know that there are two broad categories of urban planners and their roles are different but complementary. There are planners in private practice and planners in government. In the Kenyan context, government planners are found both at the national and the county governments.
Planners in private practice are involved in doing the following:
1. Preparing site, rural, urban, regional and other types of plans on behalf of individual developers, government entities and non-governmental corporations. In such cases, they are contracted to provide their expertise to the said entities at a fee.
2. Undertaking applications for development permission from the government on behalf of private developers. This is also done at a fee payable by the developers. Good examples of such applications include:
- Change of land use
- Extension of land use
- Extension of leases
- Land subdivision
- Land amalgamation
- Approval of site master plans
3. Obtaining approval of proposed developments and communicating the same to the proponents
While making the above applications, the planners assess the suitability of proposed developments and determine their compatibility with the existing plans, the surrounding developments on the ground and the general environment.
On the other hand, planners in government do the following:
1. Preparing plans, land use regulations and policies that guide developments within their areas of jurisdiction
2. Undertaking development control to ensure that the developers adhere to the provisions of the existing plans, policies and land use regulations that are in force from time to time.
Parting shot…
Planning is a prerequisite to the development of well serviced, functional and productive neighborhoods. It is also noteworthy that in most countries (if not all), governments have a legal obligation to plan for the use of land within their territories, whether private or public. As such, in order to support our authorities in facilitating the improvement of our living and working spaces, it is essential that everyone embraces the culture of Urban and Regional Planning.