ABSTRACT

Among the many aspects of land use and the built environment that planners work with, those that pertain to city forms have, arguably, the most visible outcomes. This chapter addresses how planners can engage in the physical planning process. It articulates the steps and iterations of the creative processes that result in plans with the potential to impact the shape of a city, a neighborhood, or a project site. In this chapter the fact that the physical planning process is “grounded” in location and in site is addressed. As is the fact that a careful consideration of its opportunities and challenges is imperative. The categorization of site information, ways to represent it, and the process of organizing and assessing it through a SWOT analysis are described, which allow for a systematic interpretation of development potential and limitations. The second critical phase described is that of clarifying client (public or private) goals to identify guiding design principles which help define vision, goals, and objectives for the plan/project. These assessments are the underpinning for the third and most creative phase of the physical planning process – developing design ideas, physical solutions, and schematic plans. Three steps to this, namely ideation, concept plans, and schematic design, are addressed with useful hints to inform their development. These steps are in a planners prevue. This chapter provides guidance to planners on ways to shape a physical plan before it is turned over for detailed design by various consultants for development, entitlement, approval, and implementation.