Urban Planning For Dummies

With the majority of the world's population shifting to urban centres, urban planning?the practice of land-use and transportation planning to help shape cities structurally, economically, and socially?has become an increasingly vital profession. In Urban Planning For Dummies, readers will get a practical overview of this fascinating field, including studying community demographics, determining the best uses for land, planning economic and transportation development, and implementing plans. Following an introductory course on urban planning, this book is key reading for any urban planning student or anyone involved in urban development.

With new studies conclusively demonstrating the dramatic impact of urban design on public psychological and physical health, the impact of the urban planner on a community is immense. And with a wide range of positions for urban planners in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors?including law firms, utility companies, and real estate development firms?having a fundamental understanding of urban planning is key to anyone even considering entry into this field. This book provides a useful introduction and lays the groundwork for serious study.

• Helps readers understand the essentials of this complex profession
• Written by a certified practicing urban planner, with extensive practical and community-outreach experience

For anyone interested in being in the vanguard of building, designing, and shaping tomorrow's sustainable city, Urban Planning For Dummies offers an informative, entirely accessible introduction on learning how.

Foreword xix

Introduction 1

Part I: What Is Urban Planning? 7

Chapter 1: Making Great Cities: Why Planning Matters 9

Chapter 2: Changing Places: Planning for the 21st Century 23

Chapter 3: Who Makes Urban Plans and Why 43

Chapter 4: Making Plans: A Step-by-Step Approach 57

Part II: Putting All the Pieces Together: The Main Components of an Urban Plan 75

Chapter 5: Land Use: A Place for Everything 77

Chapter 6: Housing: A Place to Call Home 97

Chapter 7: Moving the City: Transportation 119

Chapter 8: The City Beautiful: Urban Design 135

Chapter 9: The Great Outdoors: Natural Resources, Open Space, and More 149

Chapter 10: Infrastructure and Public Services: Something for Everyone 163

Part III: Hot Topics and Urban Planning Challenges 179

Chapter 11: Greening the City: Making Sustainable Places 181

Chapter 12: Urban Revitalization: Cities on the Rebound 195

Chapter 13: Rushing to the Suburbs: Managing Sprawl 207

Chapter 14: Healing the City: Planning and Disasters 223

Chapter 15: Taking Care of Business: Jobs and Economic Development 237

Chapter 16: Global Urban Planning: Answering the Challenges of Growth and Development 253

Part IV: Getting Involved and Going Further 267

Chapter 17: Getting Involved in Your Community 269

Chapter 18: Becoming a Professional Urban Planner 279

Part V: The Part of Tens 291

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Make Your Community a Better Place to Live, Work, and Play 293

Chapter 20: Ten Great Cities with Great Plans 301

Chapter 21: Ten Urban Plans You Can Find Online 309

Appendix: Resources 317

Index 325

Jordan Yin, PhD, AICP, is a faculty member of the College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has published research articles in leading academic journals, including Urban Affairs Review and Journal of Urban Affairs, and his work as an urban planner has been reported on by National Public Radio, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.