Planning for community

Abstract

"Community planning is a path towards social progress, balancing and integrating change and maintaining valued cultural traditions and lifestyles. It brings together fields of practice and theory, too often isolated from each other. It spans community organization, urban and regional planning, design, communication, housing, employment, transport, and governance. Planning is a synthesis, drawing links between personal values, human activities, physical spaces and societal governance. Members, activists, and organizers need guidance to navigate various wants, rights, activities, funds, options, and choices to work together to create stronger, healthier, and happier communities. Planning for Community examines the accelerating impacts of social, environmental, and economic change on community life and organization and explores ways in which these changes can be anticipated, planned, and managed. It reviews and evaluates the evolving nature and challenges of place and interaction faced by traditional local communities. The author devotes chapters to understanding the values, aims, and methods of community planning and to the key operations in each of the fields of housing, work, transport, health, and environment. The final chapter offers inspiration for individuals to become more involved and influential in the lives of their local and wider communities"-- Provided by publisher