Planning Systems: Comparative Planning of Cities and Regions - Coursework Example

Download file to see previous pages A planning system for cities and regions include accurate physical blueprints of the layouts and developmental plans, the planning procedure, the system for enforcement, and the institutional settings governing the planning process.

Town planning is based on future size and function of the facilities, zoning: land use, density and building height, communications and transport, other utility services, parks and open space, neighborhood development, civic design and historic structures, housing and residential areas, and implementation of the plan (Thompson, 2007).

The term urban planning conventionally refers to a spatial or geographical component, in which the purpose is to provide for a spatial structure of activities or land use. Spatial planning proceeds from very general and diagrammatic maps to precise blueprints (Hall, 2002: 3). Creating more sustainable cities in the United Kingdom is being focused on by professionals from several fields. This would mean crossing further hurdles caused by politics, economics, and public attitudes.

Over several decades, Australian cities needed to be more environmentally efficient and less car-dependent. Existing services were to be used more extensively since funds were no longer available for infrastructure development on the fringes of the major cities. Moreover, inadequately controlled suburban expansion in fringe areas was linked to poor servicing and locational disadvantage (Birrell et al, 2005: 01-3).

The concept of “Edge Cities” in the United Kingdom has been defined by Garreau (1991) as a newly developed cluster of buildings, having at least 5 million square feet of office space, and 6 lakh square feet of retail space. Edge cities are not governmental units; they are highly controlled units of private development that generate taxes and jobs which benefit the wider region. They may also be detrimental to the central city economy in competition for retail trade, restaurant functioning, and conventions. Moreover, they do not have a civic identity and lack affordable housing, schools, and public parks. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More