What is planning?

Abstract

Key terms: planning; town and country planning; physical planning; land-use planning; strategic planning; zoning; rationality; modernism; postmodernism; capitalism; communicative turn; stakeholders; ethics; hope; interconnections.Planning is the process of making decisions to guide future action. The planning profession is specifically concerned with shaping cities, towns and regions by managing development, infrastructure and services. Planners are professionals who specialise in developing strategies and designing the communities in which we live, work and play. Balancing the built and natural environment, community needs, cultural significance, and economic sustainability, planners aim to improve our quality of life and create vibrant communities. (Planning Institute of Australia 2011)