Urban Planning

Rational Planning Theory

• Emphasizes a systematic, logical approach to planning, based on analysis and scientific methods.

Incremental Planning Theory

• Proposes small, manageable steps in planning rather than large-scale, comprehensive plans.

Advocacy Planning Theory

• Focuses on representing diverse interests in planning, particularly advocating for marginalized communities.

Communicative Planning Theory

• Highlights the importance of dialogue and consensus-building among stakeholders in the planning process.

Systems Theory

• Views cities as complex systems with interrelated components that planners must understand and manage.

Collaborative Planning Theory

• Encourages collaboration among different sectors and communities to achieve shared planning goals.

Sustainable Development Theory

• Advocates for planning practices that balance environmental, economic, and social needs to ensure long-term sustainability.

New Urbanism

• Promotes walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods and environmentally friendly practices in urban design.

Smart Growth Theory

• Supports urban development that curbs urban sprawl and promotes efficient use of land and resources.

Critical Urban Theory

• Critiques traditional urban planning practices and emphasizes the need to address social inequalities and power dynamics.

Equity Planning Theory

Zoning

• A regulatory tool that divides a city or region into zones, each with specific land use regulations.

Land Use Planning

• The process of managing the development and use of land resources to balance social, economic, and environmental needs.

Mixed-Use Development

• A planning concept that combines residential, commercial, and industrial uses in a single area to create more dynamic and efficient urban spaces.

Urban Sprawl

• The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land, often characterized by low-density, car-dependent development.

Smart Growth

• An approach that promotes compact, transit-oriented, walkable, and mixed-use urban development to prevent urban sprawl.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

• A planning strategy that focuses on creating dense, walkable communities centered around high-quality public transportation systems.

Sustainable Development

• Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, focusing on environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Green Infrastructure

• The integration of natural systems and green spaces into urban planning to manage water, reduce heat, and enhance biodiversity.

Urban Renewal

• The process of revitalizing deteriorated urban areas through redevelopment, renovation, or restoration.

Public Participation

• The involvement of community members in the planning process to ensure that decisions reflect the needs and desires of the public.

Walkability

• The measure of how friendly an area is to walking, often linked to mixed-use development and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

Connectivity

• The degree to which different parts of a city or region are linked by transportation and communication networks.

Urban Density

• The concentration of people or buildings in a given area, often used to describe how crowded or spacious a city is.

Brownfield Redevelopment

• The process of cleaning up and reusing contaminated or abandoned industrial sites for new development.

Resilience Planning

• Planning that focuses on building cities and communities that can withstand and recover from environmental, economic, and social shocks.

Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)

• A regional boundary set to control urban sprawl by delineating where urban development can and cannot occur.

Place-Making

• A planning approach that emphasizes creating public spaces that promote community well-being and engagement.

Complete Streets

• A design concept that ensures streets are accessible and safe for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and public transit riders.

Affordable Housing

• Housing that is reasonably priced relative to the median income of the area, often a focus in urban planning to ensure inclusivity.

Inclusive Planning

• Ensuring that planning processes and outcomes are equitable and benefit all community members, particularly marginalized groups.

1. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

   • A tool used to capture, store, analyze, and display spatial or geographic data for mapping and planning purposes.

2. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

   • A process that evaluates the environmental consequences of a proposed development project before decisions are made.

3. SWOT Analysis

   • A technique used to identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to a planning project or area.

4. Scenario Planning

   • A method of forecasting different future outcomes based on varying assumptions, helping planners prepare for uncertainty.

5. Public Participation Techniques

   • Methods such as surveys, workshops, public meetings, and charrettes used to engage the community in the planning process.

6. Urban Design Guidelines

   • A set of standards and principles used to guide the physical design and aesthetics of urban spaces.

7. Transportation Modeling

   • Techniques used to simulate and analyze transportation systems, including traffic flow, public transit, and pedestrian movement.

8. Land Use Mapping

   • The process of creating maps that depict current and proposed uses of land within a planning area.

9. Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA)

   • A financial tool used to assess the economic viability of a project by comparing its costs to its benefits.

10. Strategic Planning

    • A long-term, goal-oriented approach to planning that defines the direction and priorities for urban or regional development.

11. Growth Management Techniques

    • Methods such as Urban Growth Boundaries (UGBs) and zoning regulations used to control and direct urban expansion.

12. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

    • A set of techniques used to incorporate local knowledge and perspectives into rural planning and development.

13. Design Charrette

    • An intensive, collaborative session where stakeholders and planners work together to develop design solutions.

14. Land Suitability Analysis

    • A technique used to assess the appropriateness of land for specific uses based on factors like soil quality, slope, and accessibility.

15. Housing Market Analysis

    • A tool used to evaluate the supply, demand, and affordability of housing within a planning area.

16. Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA)

    • An assessment used to determine the potential effects of a new development on local traffic patterns and infrastructure.

17. Zoning Ordinances

    • Legal regulations that dictate land use, building heights, densities, and other aspects of urban development.

18. Urban Simulation Models

    • Computational models that simulate the growth, development, and dynamics of urban areas over time.

19. Fiscal Impact Analysis

    • A technique used to estimate the financial impact of development projects on local government budgets and services.

20. Sustainability Assessment

    • Tools and techniques used to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of planning initiatives.

21. Smart Growth Audits

    • An assessment tool used to evaluate how well a community's development practices align with smart growth principles.

22. Form-Based Codes

    • A planning tool that focuses on the physical form of the built environment rather than just land use.

23. Historic Preservation Planning

    • Techniques used to protect and preserve historic buildings, sites, and districts within urban planning.

24. Risk Assessment and Management

    • The process of identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks associated with planning projects, especially in terms of natural disasters and climate change.

25. Urban Heat Island Analysis

    • Tools used to study and mitigate the effects of urban heat islands, where urban areas are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings.

These tools and techniques are essential for effective planning, helping professionals address complex urban and regional challenges.