experiments in generation, spatial planning, and everything else
Isaac Mathew
Building a {knowledge system} to document the impact of technology on {architectural imagination}.
experiments in generation, urban planning, and urban design is part 01. My definition, you could say alternate word meanings urban planning is urban (spatial) resource management, and urban design is place making. This set of notes stems from a post titled Regarding some Differences: Urban Planning vs Urban Design by Prof. Rajat Ray and the comments that ensue.
The reading list below extends the attempt. It could be attributed as a dump since I have sourced the very first papers that showed up on trying to search for any previous comparative work earlier. A broader reading list can extend from this exercise but for now, this introduction suffices to set the stage.
Spatial planning is an updated term for town and country planning, in the context of India rural planning. Based on a cursory reading of the RADPFI Guidelines of 2021 the term is adopted to accommodate all the new tools adding very many layers of data. Since reports do not lack glossaries and as seen on the website, sometimes phrases just get introduced without any clear context.
In the past planning terms as we understood them were through books. Access to journal papers is a new way of knowing about professional domains. These various information layers, those available and the practice context they get used is the knowledge landscape taking shape and required structured navigation.
readings list / urban design, and planning
reading list / regional and spatial planning
2014 Which aims and knowledge for spatial planning? Some notes on the current state of the discipline
领英推荐
prompt <<what is spatial planning? how is it different from regional planning?>>
Spatial Planning:
Spatial planning refers to the methods used by the public sector to influence the distribution of people and activities in spaces of various scales. It encompasses various disciplines, including urban planning, regional planning, transport planning, and environmental planning. The primary goal of spatial planning is to create a balanced social, economic, and environmental framework that promotes sustainable development.
Key aspects of spatial planning include:
1. Holistic Approach: It considers multiple factors, including economic, social, and environmental aspects, to ensure balanced development.
2. Multiple Scales: Spatial planning operates at various scales, from local to national, addressing both urban and rural areas.
3. Integration: It aims to harmonize different sectoral policies, such as housing, transport, environment, and economy, to achieve coherent territorial development.
4. Public Participation: Engaging the public and stakeholders is a crucial component, ensuring that plans reflect the needs and aspirations of the community.
Regional Planning:
Regional planning is a sub-field of spatial planning that focuses specifically on larger territories or regions. It addresses the strategic shaping of cities, towns, and rural areas in a particular region, ensuring that they function harmoniously and sustainably. Regional planning often deals with cross-boundary issues, such as transportation networks, shared natural resources, and regional economies.
Key aspects of regional planning include:
1. Cross-Boundary Focus: It addresses issues that transcend local administrative boundaries.
2. Strategic Vision: Regional planning provides a long-term vision for growth, infrastructure, and environmental conservation for an entire region.
3. Coordination: It ensures that local plans within a region are coordinated and do not conflict with one another.
4. Resource Allocation: Regional planning often involves allocating resources, such as funding for infrastructure projects, across the region based on strategic priorities.
Differences between Spatial Planning and Regional Planning:
1. Scope: While spatial planning encompasses a broad range of scales and sectors, regional planning specifically focuses on larger territorial regions.
2. Breadth of Issues: Spatial planning addresses a wide array of issues across different scales, from urban design in cities to environmental conservation in rural areas. In contrast, regional planning concentrates on issues pertinent to a specific region, such as regional transportation or economic development.
3. Scale of Operation: Regional planning operates at the regional level, addressing the needs and development of a particular region, whereas spatial planning can operate at local, regional, national, or even international scales.
4. Integration: While both fields emphasize the integration of various sectors, spatial planning often requires a more comprehensive approach due to its broader scope, whereas regional planning focuses on harmonizing local plans within a specific region.
While both spatial and regional planning aim to guide sustainable development, they differ in their scope, scale, and areas of focus. Regional planning can be viewed as a specialized subset of the broader discipline of spatial planning.
prompt <<what is town and country planning?>>
Town and Country Planning:
Town and Country Planning, often referred to simply as "planning" in many countries, is the practice of managing land use and the development of urban and rural areas. Its primary objective is to ensure a balance between economic development, environmental sustainability, and the social needs of communities. The term "town and country" emphasizes the discipline's comprehensive approach, covering both urban (town) and rural (country) areas.
Key aspects of Town and Country Planning include:
1. Land Use Regulation: Determining the most appropriate use for each parcel of land, whether it be for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or conservation purposes.
2. Development Control: Reviewing and deciding on planning applications for new developments or changes to existing ones to ensure they align with planning policies and regulations.
3. Strategic Planning: Creating long-term visions and strategies for the growth and development of urban and rural areas, often manifested in master plans or development plans.
4. Environmental Protection: Safeguarding natural resources, landscapes, and biodiversity by designating protected areas, conservation zones, or implementing policies that mitigate environmental impacts.
5. Infrastructure Planning: Coordinating the provision of essential infrastructure such as roads, public transportation, water supply, sewage, and other utilities in tandem with land use planning.
6. Public Participation: Engaging the public and stakeholders in the planning process to ensure that plans reflect the needs, aspirations, and concerns of the community.
7. Economic and Social Considerations: Balancing the need for economic growth with social equity, ensuring that development benefits a broad spectrum of the population and doesn't lead to undue disparities.
8. Heritage and Conservation: Protecting and preserving historically or culturally significant sites, buildings, and landscapes.
9. Urban Design: Enhancing the physical layout and design of urban spaces, ensuring they are functional, and aesthetically pleasing, and promote a high quality of life.
10. Rural Development: Guiding the sustainable growth and development of rural areas, ensuring they maintain their character while accommodating necessary growth and change.
Town and Country Planning is a multidisciplinary field that seeks to guide the growth and development of urban and rural areas in a way that promotes economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability. It plays a crucial role in shaping the built environment, influencing everything from the design of individual buildings to the layout of entire regions.
Note: There are several other words other than these four that may be drawn up and readings collected. ChatGPT4 texts, though are almost reliable should be read only as a conversation starter, which is the objective of these posts. Like Google Earth, Maps in the past and drone photography, generative AI has presented a new way to think about discussions on urbanism. The problem statement that this note poses is with this additional layer how does our reading of past knowledge and therefore future proposals of intervention.