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 program Basic 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