Module 2: Spatial Analysis and Urban Land Planning

Creating a City Vision

Jeff Soule

American Planning Association

Creating a City Vision

Old strategy was to develop targets from the central government

No need for the planning to do analysis New system requires more responsibilities

for planning Under a market system, each city must find

a competitive strategy Creating a vision for the city is a critical

step

What is a City Vision?

A clear description of what you want your city to be like in the future over long term

Characteristics that give a picture that people can understand

A set of values that guide decisions

What is a City Vision? (Cont’d)

Things that make your city

different: An educational center A government Center An historic city A green city An industrial city A transportation center A combination

City Vision : Regional Analysis

Look at the strengths and weaknesses of your city within the region

Data Social Economic Physical

City Vision: Participation

People should be involved in the vision

Then they will support the implementation

This will be good for the leaders

Requires new skills for planners

City Vision: Implementation

The vision and the plan are useless unless they are enforced

New respect for plans and enforcement of codes and standards require changes

Many ways to do this Planners do not get so

involved in the details

What to look at in Analysis?

Past plans and history

What to look at in Analysis? (Cont’d)

Demographic information

What are the characteristics of the people?

Age Education Income

What to look at in Analysis? (Cont’d)

Characteristics of the economy

Current jobs and services

Economic strengths Economic weakness Future vision for

economy

What to look at in Analysis? (Cont’d)

What cities other cities are doing

What they are better at

What they are no so good at

Pick a successful strategy

Participation in the Vision

Surveys Exhibits of plans Discussions with

leaders Visits to other cities Educational

programs Visual examples of

options

Participation in the Vision (Cont’d)

Participation in the early stage helps make implementation smoother

Different ideas help ensure the money spent on the construction is the right thing

Implementation of the Vision

Discussed in more detail in this programBasic framework for planning: Comprehensive Plan Rules and regulations Budget and finance policies Review of projects Adjustments to the plan over time

Identify Different Options

Working with the stakeholders

Develop several different choices for the future

Planners should explain the consequences of making one choice over another

Select the vision that best fits the needs of the city and wishes of the stakeholders

Implementation of the Vision (Cont’d)

Comprehensive Plan

Not the same as the past sector or economic strategic plans done by the government

A detailed roadmap for the city that integrates land use, transportation, housing, environment, and development goals

Describes the process for change

Implementation of the Vision (Cont’d)

Regulations and guidelines

The plan must be enforced by codes that describe the development permit process

Planners develop and manage the rules

Under a market economy, planners do not specify the design details but review the development proposals according to rules

Vision Example: Chatanooga

Started in the 1960s Pollution was so bad New vision of clean environment and

use of the riverfront One vision, many plans to implement Downtown plans Riverfront plan

Chattanooga: Vision Success