Lessons in humility in the face of complexity.

This was meant to be post 3 of 3 inter-related posts on design and place shaping through the scales. I may though, add a further 4th example at a regional scale, to illustrate our work with rural contexts (all from my Urbantu ltd archive). Again, this was co-working with local folks from all key life stages, to understand their local lived rural experience relative to sustainable movement and the underlying fundamentals of the places they share and the places, they call home.? But more on that in post 4.

This article, on the contrary, will illustrate two key tools (as part of a consultants’ team). Both tools significantly inform our emerging work in #TeamAngusCouncil and previous work with #TeamPerthandKinrossCouncil, to meaningfully help with the changing planning system.

I apologise in advance as the information sheet below gets rather techy… Fortunately, the principles remain simple: -

?

Stage 1. Know the Place

Stage 2. Analysis of the Place ?

Stage 3. Nurture the Place

?

I should also be very clear at this point (clarity being a form of Kindness).? I don’t think ‘masterplanning’ on this scale, is particularly safe or indeed wise. Many of our most beautiful, rich, varied, inclusive and sustainable places emerged over long periods of time.? Radical incrementalism, as described by @KevinCampbell’s ‘Making Massive Small Change’ is a much, much wiser approach to sustainable and inclusive place-making - in my opinion and experience.

E F Schumacher’s legendary text – ‘Small is beautiful’ expands on this in terms of economics, community wealth building and the strength of diversity in many, many small businesses being much less likely to be ‘too big to fail’ at scale. But that may be for another post…

Classical (i.e neoliberalism) approaches to ‘masterplanning’ form part of an out of date ‘top-down Vs bottom-up’ way of thinking, fueling inequality and division.? But they remain two polarized parts of the same problem.? One alternative is, to re-frame and move beyond ‘top vs bottom’ classical mindsets, to a place and people-based approach rooted in truth.? And the truth is, it’s beautifully complex.

“But they remain two polarized parts of the same problem.”

EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and LVIA (Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment) are simply two tools, very powerful in the right (and wrong) hands. ?They help understand (and evidence) the place at a visual local regional scale (by human, unaided eyes) and the important underlying characteristics of the environmental place base line conditions. It helps, because we understand the place in context, understand constraints and opportunities and look at the proposed interventions, and then modify design proposals (iteratively) to find the most appropriate/best fit in the place.

Simple.

Right?

What is fascinating about this work, is that it can ONLY be carried out by a range of people, from a range of specialist and generalist backgrounds. And the ONLY way it works, is where there is humility, trust and mutual respect – professional or otherwise. These principles inform #PlaceFrameworks (not the technical tools themselves).

Is this a lesson worth helping and using evidence to empower local folks achieve their Visions, to meet their needs and support their aspirations? Is this a tool set everyone can gain from in reducing decision-making risks with objective as well as lived experience from a range of backgrounds?

We can do better than fuel tribalism, selfish egotism and single monetary value over all else.?

We ALL have a stake in a fair and sustainable future - if that is what we all value.

I’m optimistic. But I’m also pragmatic.? Positive change in our planning system starts with a single word…

Kindness.

Note on the author: Jonathan Clarkson is an interdisciplinary designer, teacher, gardener and urbanist practitioner with over 30 years of experience using design as a tool for, analysis, collaboration, solving problems and adding value.?Jonathan has publish a number of design articles, is proud to serve in various Local Authorities. Jonathan is also an occasional visiting lecturer and tutor at both Edinburgh School of Art, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee and the Mackintosh school of art in Glasgow.