Urban Planning

How Places Plan for Development and Growth

Urban/Community Planning

• Profession that focuses on creating and updating land use regulations for a place

• Seek input from community

• Produce land use maps and ordinances

Zoning Maps• Each section of community is

assigned an appropriate land use– Residential– Commercial– Industrial– Recreational– Governmental

The Practice of Planning

• Planning practice has sought to balance growth of community while at the same time preserving quality of life

• Traditionally, this has led to the separation of “noxious” uses from residential and recreational uses– But can have a darker side

Exclusionary Zoning

• Income segregation– Planning to

concentrate “poorer” residents away from more wealthy residents

– Minimum lot sizes– Refusal to allow

subsidized housing

Exclusionary Zoning• Cultural/Ethnic Segregation– Refusal to give land use permission for mosques or

temples.

Reinforced by Real Estate Industry

• Real Estate Industry: Redlining– Refusing to show houses in certain areas to

ethnic/cultural minorities

• Public: NIMBY– Not in my backyard• Prisons, public facilities

• Environmental Justice

New Jersey: Mt. Laurel Decision

• 1980s court cases and legislation• All communities must provide affordable

housing in proportion to:– General population– Growth of standard housing– Ability to develop

• Some assigned requirements can be “sold” elsewhere