Arnulfo F. Dado .

Far Eastern University – Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts

Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning (Notes #06) . Second Semester AY2010-11

THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PROCESS

1. A research phase.
2. Clarification of community goals and objectives.
3. A period of plan formulation.
4. A period of plan implementation
5. A period of review and revision.

Planning Research.

One common type of study is “population forecast.” Population forecast is concern with knowing for
whom one is planning, or the notion of how many people there will be in the community (age structure,
sex group, etc.). A common technique is the “cohort survival” which presents a detailed picture of the
structure of population rather than just estimate of the total number of people. At the city or town level,
the big differences in growth rates between places are largely due to difference in net migration (moves in
minus moves out).

Another basic study is the “land inventory.” The study generally begins with mapping of existing land
uses (residential, industrial, commercial, educational, recreational etc.). The study also characterizes the
undeveloped land in the community in terms of suitability for different uses. The traditional paper map
for recording the results of land-use studies has been supplemented by electronic mapping systems
generally referred to as Geographical Information Systems (GIS). In a GIS, data are stored in digital
form.

Beyond these two common studies are a host of others that may or may not be done (depending on needs)
such as: (i) economic base study; (ii) traffic flow studies; (iii) infrastructures (as water supply and
sewers); (iv) soil characteristics; (v) recreation studies (recreational preferences, facilities, etc.) and (vi)
fiscal studies (forecasting expenditures, revenues, and tax rates).

Formulating Community Goals

Goals should be formulated with a knowledge of essential facts of the situation, a knowledge of the
limitations under which the municipality operates, and a realistic view of the options open to the
community. The planning agency’s role in this process might be to provide a forum for discussion,
providing facts and laying out options, and synthesizing and articulating the results of the discussions and
deliberations. The process of setting goals should be an open one involving all possible stakeholders.

Formulating the Plan.

The work of formulating the plan can begin when the baseline studies have been done and agreement has
been reached on goals. The plan is generally drawn up by the municipality’s planning agency or by a
planning consultant.

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Arnulfo F. Dado . Far Eastern University – Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning (Notes #06) . Second Semester AY2010-11

Steps in plan formulations involve: (i) laying out a variety of options; (ii) considering their respective
costs and merits or “impact analysis”; and (iii) selecting the preferred option. It is often a good idea to
bring in the affected parties into the impact assessment and option-choosing process.

Implementing the Plan.

Two most powerful tools for carrying out the physical side of the plan are capital investments and land-
use controls. Capital investments in roads, public facilities and utilities create basic conditions that permit
development, which land use controls then shape and channel. Capital investments and land-use controls
should be consistent with one another and with the comprehensive plan.

Review and Updating.

Inevitably community development will not unfold quite as envisioned in the master plan. The pattern of
development is shaped by all sorts of forces that are beyond community control and in many cases
beyond prediction.

For the plan to be effective over a long term, periodic review is essential. The review applies to all the
major plan elements: (i) updating the database; and (ii) updating the goals and strategies. The municipal
government should have a commitment to updating the plan at regular intervals.

References:

Levy, J.M. (2006). Contemporary urban planning.