Overview - Fifty Theses on Urban Planning and Urban Planners

The Fifty Theses on Urban Planning and Urban Planners is from the Journal of Planning Education and Research. The purpose of the document is to propose a common basis of principles and definitions for the field of urban planning.

It first outlines a general thesis for planning which recognises that it is both hard to define and practice due to the unsteady number of contradictions and tensions. Some of the key ideas in this section are that urban planning focuses primarily on improving urban life, it is a product of systematic research and involves plan making for the community. The document then discusses the meaning and origins of urban planning, with particular focus on management, professionalism, social reform and environmental sustainability.

A theses on good planning and good plans outlines the qualities and features of a successful plan. These include plans that help to shape and improve human settlement, provide opportunity for public learning, have a clear sense of purpose and involve input from a range of institutions (among other things). This then carries on to the actual roles of urban planners as implementers of these plans. The document highlights the importance of urban planners acting as community builders; influencing peoples perceptions, analysing facts and trends and displaying a true passion for the improvement of a city. Good planners are ultimately motivated individuals who are open minded and want to implement change in order to improve living conditions.

The final section of the document discusses planning education and research. Education enables students to acquire an understanding of the processes of human change and opens their eyes to a range of opportunities and possibilities for future projects in urban planning.

The document provides a lot of information that helped me to form a general idea of what makes a successful town planner who is able to implement effective plans that improve human life. It was clear and easy to read and provided me with an idea what a career in urban and regional town planning may require.

Kaeley :)