Posted June 23, 200717 yr Sometimes, I wish I had a more general major. Here are the top questions I get about UP: Other person: "What's your major?" Me: "Urban Planning" Other Person : (Typical questions) "Whats urban planning"? "It sounds kinda political" "Urban planning, is that like Civil Enginnering?" "What's urban planning? Do you guys get to play Sim City in your classes?" "I went to school for the same thing as you; Architectural Drafting" I started thinking: I'm actually in a major where--no one knows what the profession is or what they do! You know what a nurse does, you know what a graphic designer does, you know what a psychologist does... but no one knows what an Urban Planner does! The problem I now have come to face and I know some others on here do as well, is that I don't even know how to explain it in one sentence what urban planning is, because its so multi-faceted and you sound really lame explaining it in 5 or more sentences. So, for those that don't know, and for the urban planning students on this board that I know are struggling with this dilemma, here is a clearly stated definition that encompasses all aspects of planning: urban planning noun 1. the branch of architecture dealing with the design and organization of urban space and activities. The world is now a better place.
June 23, 200717 yr I don't know if I'd agree that it's a branch of architecture. Instead, I'd say the inverse is/should be true. Problem is, I don't know how to better explain it. So I feel your pain. Let me ponder a better description -- perhaps the only one I can think of right now is that an urban planner is a designer, diagnostic technician and doctor of urbanized areas, settings and their supportive infrastructures. And if that doesn't cause their eyes to glaze over... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 23, 200717 yr Planners improve quality of life through efficient organization of physical space... how's that definition? How do you include every aspect of planning? Urgghh! Architects can just be like dude, I design some sweet ass buildings. Must be nice.
June 23, 200717 yr Part of the problem is that everyone thinks they know what it is, instead of simply acknowledging the fact that they don't. Urban Planning is also very complex in the sense that you can go into a multitude of professions depending on what your focus is: Real Estate Urban Design Urban Planning (public, private) Law Politics Historic Preservation Environmental Peace Corps Transportation In the truest sense an Urban Planner is someone who does comprehensive planning. This could be for either a public (ie city government) or private job...most typically being public. I personally don't consider Urban Designers, Urban Planners...but many who are Urban Designers call themselves Urban Planners. Many architects also confuse themselves as being Urban Planners...but they are not. These are all separate occupations that should be viewed as such. Being able to draw a pretty section elevation, perspective drawing, and/or a site plan does not make you an Urban Planner. As it has been stated, it is much more complex than that.
June 23, 200717 yr I tell people that I am going to steal their land and turn it over to my socialist masters. And I'm not even a planner.
June 23, 200717 yr Heres my situation... people: "whats your major" me: "geography" people: "oh, so you want to be a social studies teacher?" me: "no....not that kind of geography....I am a GIS major" people: "GIS....?!?!?!" me: " I will use it for urban planning" So I have always used urban planning to describe what I want to do so I guess that has not been helping people understand what I am talking about based on what you people are saying....bah!
June 23, 200717 yr oh, and because I am was a geography major, people always expect/ed me to know random things like the circumference of the earth or what time zones certain cities fall into. Im like......bah!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 23, 200717 yr This thread pretty much sums up the point that people are idiots, and don't want to admit it. :laugh: :drunk:
June 24, 200717 yr Hmm, people seem to know what I'm talking about when I say urban planning here in Michigan. Funny thing is, people immediately go into their "I wish my town was more walkable. Will you design more walkable communities? I hate parking lots. Are you going to fix Detroit?" Yes........
June 24, 200717 yr "I design neighborhoods." "Oh, cool" "Yeah, they look like old city neighborhoods." "Oh, ok. Cool." If someone is already interested in cities and/or architecture, it's an easy and fun conversation. If he or she isn't interested, then I rarely go beyond the conversation above. Rando, drawing a pretty section may not make one a planner, but I've never encountered someone professionally who can't give a full, detailed explanation for why that section looks the way it does.
June 24, 200717 yr Rando, drawing a pretty section may not make one a planner, but I've never encountered someone professionally who can't give a full, detailed explanation for why that section looks the way it does. Your point...
June 24, 200717 yr Being able to draw a pretty section elevation, perspective drawing, and/or a site plan does not make you an Urban Planner. As it has been stated, it is much more complex than that.
June 24, 200717 yr Yes...like I was saying, there is much more to Urban Planning than design. You may be able to draw the best site plan, elevation, and/or perspective...and even be able to explain the rationale behind. But, there are more components than that...and just because someone is able to justify their work does not make it a good piece of work. Is Ovation a good site plan?? They are able to talk until the cows come home about why they designed it that way, but is it a real plan...and is it a plan that is best suited for Newport and the riverfront as a whole??
June 25, 200717 yr ^I thought you were studying architecture... I decided not to study for my masters in architecture but planning instead (starting this fall at U of Mich). Trying something new. In the meantime, I'll continue working my job at an architecture firm.
June 25, 200717 yr Urban Planners dont get to play SimCity all day? Total bummer Sure we do, but we don't "play." We're very serious about it! I find that a good number of urban planners in my circle are working on social and economic issues... affordable housing, economic development, community organizing, etc.
June 25, 200717 yr Urban Planners dont get to play SimCity all day? Total bummer Nah... Instead we play some of the weirdest games ever ArcMap 9, Broken Mapping AutoCAD 2007, the dull lines edition Microsoft Word, Legal description edition Microsoft Powerpoint, the Blahblahblah edition Property Disputes, why can't I have my 30 foot fence Tran Plan, build more roads not rails stupid! -_- NIMBY the next generation Sketchup, march of the rectanglez!!! Yep, fun stuff XD
June 26, 200717 yr Seriously, as much as I love using sketchup, I can do without urban planners illustrations of a vast neighborhood of block massing models. I guess that's the architect in me.
June 26, 200717 yr Being an engineer, do you know how I describe my job as an automation controls engineer? See the quote below: "You know how Homer Simpson goes into work and puts his feet up and everything just happens? I make it all happpen."
June 26, 200717 yr I find myself going back to the analogy of the doctor. Except in this case many cells in the patient are themselves living creatures with self awareness, brains, opinions and insecurities. And another exception is that the doctor gets to design the patient, or at least parts thereof. The wallet (financiers) has a mind of its own and decides whose design it will support. The ass (politicians) serves its own sometimes useful purpose and other times is a nuisance but is never too far from the wallet! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 27, 200717 yr Being an engineer, do you know how I describe my job as an automation controls engineer? See the quote below: "You know how Homer Simpson goes into work and puts his feet up and everything just happens? I make it all happpen." Thanks for keeping Ohio from being Three Mile Island :-D
July 30, 200717 yr I need to vent about something real quick... Why is it that when Planners weigh in on a development plan or comprehensive plan, their thoughts are quickly labeled as personal preferences?!?!? No one seems to question traffic engineers when they suggest that we need to widen a damn road 2 lanes, or when a researcher proclaims that we should eat more greens to stay healthy. But when a Planner says that a certain development plan will fail to meet market conditions and/or compete with other plans...it's just personal preference. How about NO!!! Whether it's my personal preference or not is irrelevant. If you've been formally trained in a subject then your damn opinion should be respected as such. I don't know of any other field that gets second guessed and questioned as much as Urban Planning. How about you let me do my job, and we both go about our ways! Here are some questions/opposing thoughts that tick me off: Are trees really that valuable that we should ask developers to put them in? Are walkable communities really that important, it's not like anyone walks anywhere anyways? Bike/Walking trails bring crime, we don't want those. Mass transit isn't worth the cost...widening roads is a much better alternative. Increased density = more crime and/or poor people. Roundabouts are too confusing for people, and are dangerous. Is there really any value in public art? Having a connected street layout is bad and brings in crime/increased traffic congestion. There are more, but I'll stop there...partially because if I list anymore off I'll get sick. It just ticks me off that people don't want to listen to Planners, but as soon as something goes wrong Planners are the first ones to get the blame. EARTH TO EVERYONE...URBAN PLANNERS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ROADWAY PROJECTS / CONSTRUCTION TIMELINES / CITY BUDGET / TRAFFIC LIGHT TIMING / ROAD MAINTENANCE. These are issues with other departments in city governments. So when you see your government failing you with stupidity out in public...most likely it's not the Planning Department behind it, check elsewhere.
July 30, 200717 yr Randy that's becaues UP is one of the few professions that takes "the greater good" into consideration. It's not a profession that involves self interest. Its also difficult because the things we're taught are things that most people only deal with on a subconcious level. When someone is walking across a street, they don't realize that its safer because the road is more narrow and cars are parked on both sides forcing cars to drive slowly. Yet they're walking across it because of that. They just don't realize it. All I have to say is that the most expensive (most desired) places to live, are built environments with principles planners would reccommend. Look at Portland, D.C. SanFran, Manhattan, etc.
July 30, 200717 yr It's not always that way Rando, at least not in the private sector. I've worked with some of the most high profile planners and their opinions were taken very seriously. (As were mine, strangely enough, even as as intern simply by association.)
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