What is a planner? The Art of Planning according to Eugenie Birch consists of three key aspects (design, craft and presentation). Design is described as the physical aspect of the land and buildings that achieves the visions for the desired communities. Craft is described as the understanding of a number of fields and professions that are involved in the project and Presentation is the overseeing and representation of the product to the relevant stakeholders and the analytical/ethical skills involved in carrying out the planning.
The core purpose and direction of planners have changed considerably in the United States (US) over the last 90 years. Planners in the US began with a very simplified direction considering ‘City Beautiful Plans’ (Daniel Burnham’s Plan for Chicago - 1909) until 1925 when ‘city efficient plans’ were introduced (Official Plan of the City of Cincinnati). This continued to evolve in the 1930’s as scientific considerations were taken into account such as the social and economic aspects.
The early 1940’s brought about the introduction of ‘the Green Book’. This was an instruction manual for planners based on the previous experience of Cincinnati planner Ladislas Segoe. The green book was (and still is) a very useful tool for planners but most importantly imbedded the notion that planning was a technical expertise.
Planners today require a greater understanding of the process and areas within planning as there has been an advancement in technology and a heightened political involvement in planning projects. Planners should be strong mediators and impartial to all professions, people and the agencies that are involved.
Currently planning is a necessary field as more complex issues begin to surface through environmental change, the increase in population and differing trends in society.
