Challenges Facing Urban Planners Assignment Case Study

Urban planning is a multifaceted procedure involving the evaluation of numerous aspects. The demands of a specific area should determine the objectives of strategists. Urban planners establish plans and guidelines for appropriate land utilization. They develop methods to delineate neighborhoods and regenerate physical infrastructure in urban regions, municipalities, and cities. Urban planners essentially assist communities in identifying their unique requirements and devising innovative solutions.

They organize, direct, and supervise urban growth. In urban planning and implementation, many tools, such as geographic data systems, are applied to increase the effectiveness of their activities. Nonetheless, it is evident that urban planners encounter numerous obstacles that impede the effectiveness of their functions. Their efforts may be considerably slowed down or hindered by obstacles. Thus, this case study examines urban planners’ issues to discover the answers to each obstacle and the partnerships that can successfully alleviate the hurdles.

Critical Challenges Facing Urban Planners

One of the most obvious obstacles urban planners face is finding solutions to problems caused by disruptive innovation. Hopp et al. (2018) enumerated that it alludes to a breakthrough that develops a growing market and displaces old items. The authors argue that revolutionary technology is one of the most significant obstacles due to the complex marketplace, which has prompted the emergence of new commodities, affecting planning procedures. They affect planning process because they enhance market rivalry and ultimately alter market effectiveness. It results in a fall in commodity prices, which is beneficial to customers.

The economy of a community is a crucial component of long-term sustainability. The investors provide new items to the market to stimulate economic growth via competitiveness (Jepson & Haines, 2014). However, rising competition poses numerous obstacles for the business and may result in substantial upheavals. The observable consequences impact an urban planner’s activities on marketplace performance. For example, disruptive innovation begins gradually and expands substantially to affect the whole economy and the task of an urban planner.

The introduction of radical technologies entails urban expansion and advancement, which will have repercussions on numerous structures. To incorporate the advances and market shifts, an urban planner must reorganize and redesign the neighborhood or town. Disruptive innovation affects the planning process due to frequent economic changes. It compels urban planners to incorporate new concepts to adapt to alterations in the urban planning procedure. The alteration of society standards and institutions, as well as the sectors, is the second-order outcome of this situation.

Financing Difficulties in Metropolitan Areas

Planners of metropolitan areas often have substantial difficulties regarding financial issues. For example, a congestion economy results in financial matters for urban planners due to cities’ overpopulation. Urban development contributes to economic expansion by creating employment possibilities. Nonetheless, a high population in metropolitan areas will necessitate the construction of more infrastructure to support the people, impacting the functions of urban planners (Trimble MEP, 2019). Density also influences the overall cost of land and dwellings in metropolitan regions. Others may not be able to afford the pricey lifestyle, which will drive them to consider alternatives such as residing in a remote location and commuting daily to the city, hence impacting the planning procedure. Jepson & Haines (2014) insinuated that the high expense of urban living impacts urban planners since they must reconstruct and rebuild homes to meet persons with varying economic means. Therefore, financial difficulties affect urban design because changes in dwelling structures necessitate the need to suit various social strata.

Overall, an increasing population is one of the urban planners’ most serious difficulties today. For example, exponential demographic expansion results in large rural-to-urban migration, which increases urban inhabitants. A spike in the metropolitan concentration of people increases the requirements of urban surroundings. As a result of its impact on housing quality, it generates social strife (Trimble MEP, 2019). Urban planners’ processes are affected by the need for additional housing, adequate transit, and other demands resulting from rapid population expansion. Thus, urban areas must be effectively restructured and redesigned to handle the growing population. In addition to social instability and urban violence, effective planning is required to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas Therefore, the predominance of social upheaval and metropolitan violence is a second-order effect of this problem.

Fragmented and Overlapping Governments

A fragmented government comprises multiple smaller governments within the same metropolitan region. The dispersion of authority in the area results in a variety of advantages as well as difficulties, one of the most significant of which is the difficulty in planning process (Ardashev, 2005). Furthermore, fragmented administrations face challenges in formulating and enforcing policies due to the situation’s complexity. For instance, decisions on tax collections and rules governing land utilization may present numerous issues to the citizens due to insufficient input and participation on their behalf. The struggles people go through due to their perceptions of discriminatory practices and injustice are second-order repercussions of this challenge.

Horizontal fragmentation of the administration is possible when the constituent units are located within the same metropolitan region. It is possible for there to be a vertical structure in which one or two components exert a large degree of influence over the decisions and revenues of the other parts. Given the importance of decision-making and policy formation to urban planning, the separation of government presents a substantial challenge to the profession (Carruthers, 2003). It offers considerable problems to the residential and transportation sectors and other aspects of urban development that play a role in determining how population growth is distributed.

Impacts and Second-Order Consequences of the Challenges

The three difficulties above each have the potential to have various repercussions and second-order implications. Firstly, disruptive innovations impact the whole economic system because they launch new items that are more competitive than the commodities already in the marketplace (Hopp et al., 2018). The alteration of society standards and institutions, as well as the sectors, is the second-order outcome of this situation. It will ultimately collide with the planning phase that metropolitan planners use. For instance, creativity may result in establishing new standards and ideals in the community, which urban planners must consider while formulating their strategies. As a result, it presents a greater difficulty to their activities.

Secondly, the high population growth in metropolitan areas creates challenges for urban planners regarding securing adequate funding for their operations. The predominance of social upheaval and metropolitan violence is a second-order effect of this problem, and it has caused societal issues as a direct result. In light of this, there is an urgent need to develop infrastructure to address these effects and boost welfare. For this reason, urban designers must handle the second-order impact for an efficient planning stage alongside dealing with the fast-increasing population, which brings about financial sanctions.

A fragmented administration also has a second-order impact as a last point to consider. Norton (2010) stated that a segmented government structure presents significant issues when it comes to making decisions and formulating regulations. The struggles people go through due to their perceptions of discriminatory practices and injustice are second-order repercussions. For instance, people will have the impression that they are not fairly represented in the programs due to urban expansion and state dispersion. Therefore, it will be the responsibility of urban planners to solve the difficulties of unfairness and urban sprawl, as well as the decentralization of governance. As a whole, the second-order implications bring about greater risks to the functions of urban planners; hence, resolving both ramifications is perfect for optimizing their activities.

Analysis of Solutions to Challenges

Fluctuating market mechanisms present urban planners with the most frequent obstacle: disruptive innovation. Adopting business paradigms is an innovative response to the problems posed by revolutionary technologies for urban planners. As reported earlier, disruptive innovation influences the design process by providing new items to the marketplace and altering economic models. In this instance, Eggers et al. (2012) enumerated that planners should not focus exclusively on merchandise and offerings; rather, they should develop marketing strategies that do not change when new commodities are launched into the marketplace. The authors, further, insinuated that, irrespective of the arrival of new items, the sustainability of business strategies strengthens the specific functionality of the industry.

Furthermore, a corporate model is a profit-generating plan that includes the merchandise and customer segments. It is an ideal method for enhancing the operation and stability of both new and old enterprises. It is a handbook that regulates organizational activities in a certain sector to improve comparative advantage. The solution will work by strengthening the market’s adaptability, the business model permits the incorporation of new items and developments with minimal impact on their performance (Karakiewicz, 2016). Therefore, disruptive innovations will not affect the planning procedure, as there will be no requirement for reorganization and rebuilding to suit new techniques and items.

Financing Difficulties

Rapid population growth, which encourages migration to metropolitan regions, leads to an increase in the number of financial issues. As noted earlier, congestion is one of the planning phase’s biggest obstacles. This is because urban planners ought to reorganize and remodel the urban infrastructure to fulfill the varied requirements of a society of varying demographics. Land banking has been suggested as the most effective approach to overcoming this obstacle (O’Brien et al., 2005). Investing in land for housing or commercial expansion is a component of this strategy. This remedy works by making it possible for land to be reutilized in various ways during the operations of development planning. The practice of property speculation would be a definitive answer to the problem of the rapidly rising population in metropolitan areas.

Moreover, income for the design procedure can also be generated through the adoption of taxation laws that stimulate the involvement of the general public. The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program will also make it possible to invest in public infrastructure to increase future revenue. Therefore, municipal administrations have the option of utilizing TIF to improve the efficiency of the planning stage. The substantial earnings the administration will continue accumulating into the foreseeable future are sufficient to compensate for the initiatives. The dependence on Special Taxing Districts will also be an optimal response to urban planners’ budgetary restraints. TIF will function by contributing to financing infrastructure projects to make the work of urban planners easier.

Lastly, impact fees are a crucial component of the solution to the difficulties in finance that urban planners face. Impact fees are a type of fee collected by municipal councils as part of the land development authorization (Draper, 1987). The fact that these fees are put toward improving fringe and suburban areas makes them eligible for some of the benefits that come with paying them. There is no denying that these regions are subject to significant growth pressure; nonetheless, the land is still easily accessible. Thus, impact fees are a viable means by which urban planners can solve the financial issues they face.

Fragmented and Overlapping Governments, Authorities, and Special Districts

The decision-making process, as well as the creation and execution of policies, are greatly impacted when administrations, institutions, and special districts are fragmented and intersect. In the end, it affects the day-to-day activities of urban planners due to the difficulties presented by architecture (Ardashev, 2005). Consolidating various government levels and lowering the number of elected representatives is the best possible response to these difficulties. Merging of governments is the solution to the problem of interstate compacts, which frequently occur in governmental systems that are vertically divided.

Due to inefficient strategies and actions, the intersection of states poses a considerable risk to the efficiency of the resources allocated to urban planning. This risk is compounded by governments often competing with one another for resources (Carruthers, 2003). Hence, integrated jurisdictions will have lower overall costs since they can supply services at lower expenses than fragmented governmental systems. Consolidation will work by lightening the taxpayers’ load, making it easier for everyone to work together during the planning procedure.

Moreover, chances to participate in decision-making and the design of policies are made available through the unified constitutional framework. For example, the judgments and rules will be open to everyone’s input, making the planning process more effective overall (Abels, 2014). The regulations around taxes are the major legislations that directly affect urban planners. Tax laws affect the country’s people and contribute to problems of inequality and systematic oppression brought about by decentralized government systems. Yet, if centralized government mechanisms are in place, every individual will be a conscientious taxpayer, addressing several different budgetary restrictions that urban planners may face. Participants will have the experience of being evenly included in the guidelines, which will motivate them to take part. The less beneficial variables will also be mitigated, increasing the design process’s overall efficiency.

Analysis of Partnerships Using a Biblical Worldview

Disruptive Innovation

The parties involved in the comprehensive planning process are entrepreneurs. They are seeking ways to improve their competitiveness to better fit in the marketplace, which has exacerbated the number of disruptions caused by the frequent modifications in the market frameworks. Their contribution has led to a rise in the number of firms that seek critical tactics to divert rivals in the industry and strengthen their strategic edge. Therefore, this has increased the frequency of destabilizing corporations.

This belief is contrary to the teachings of the Bible, which state that every person has a unique talent that is best suited for a certain calling. “Each one should test their actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each should carry their own load” (New International Version, 1973, Galatians 6:4-5). Therefore, God did not create humans with the intention of pitting them against one another in an arena of battle. In light of what is stated in this passage of scripture, it is clear that each individual is on their path.

A person’s level of dedication to their task ultimately determines the level of success and profit. Rivalry is forbidden in the Bible; therefore, entrepreneurs’ impacts would lead to carrying out of precise actions rather than formulating strategies to increase the level of the market’s competition. As a result, second-order disruptive developments will be kept to a minimum, which will be an essential step toward solving the problems that urban planners are currently confronting. Thus, to completely solve these difficulties, urban planners should do so by approaching them from a theological worldview.

Financial Difficulties

Under fiscal challenges, the parties involved in the comprehensive planning process are businesses and urban designers. When it comes to running their businesses, urban planners need to have a solid financial foundation. According to the teachings of the Bible, people ought to regard their wealth as a creation of God and a gift from him to improve their prosperity (New International Version, 1973, Philippians 4:19). For instance, urban planners contribute to solving monetary concerns by being responsible stewards of the resources that God has placed in their care since such resources are intended to forward the purpose of God’s kingdom.

Since the land is also a possession of God, people should exercise extreme caution while investing in it. As was noted earlier, one of the best answers to the economic issues that urban planners face is the practice of land banking. The Bible says, “But the pastureland belonging to their towns must not be sold; it is their permanent possession” (New International Version, 1973, Leviticus 25:34). This verse enumerates the importance of utilizing the land in the best interest of everyone.

According to the teachings from Leviticus 25:34, people should not regard selling property as their first option. In its place, land may be repurposed and used for various aspects of development. Their impacts would lead to exercising responsible stewardship over the resources that God has given them, strengthening their financial security by doing so. They will obtain more benefits from God to improve their financial lives if they make intelligent use of their possessions. The effect on second-order consequences is that urban planners will be able to overcome the economic issues they face by acting as responsible stewards of those blessings.

Governments, Authorities, and Special Districts

The parties involved under this section are the individual citizens and leaders of a country. According to the teachings of the Bible, God chooses those who will rule over humanity and uses them as his instruments to do so. Their contribution is to respect and appreciate those in authority positions at all levels. Leaders serve the purpose of acting as responsible custodians of the individuals they are responsible for. The Bible enumerates, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (New International Version, 1973, Philippians 2:3). Therefore, respect and appropriate care should be shown to citizens by those in positions of power, just as servants should be subservient to those in positions of authority.

Nonetheless, the non-compliance of the individuals in administration positions with the teachings of God’s word makes it difficult for urban planners to create workable solutions to the problems posed by splintered and overlapping jurisdictions and special districts. According to biblical teachings, these problems will be solved when every individual comes to terms with the primary obligations that are rightfully theirs. Therefore, servants will practice responsibility and become subservient to their superiors, and they will also honor the executives. Their impact is that they will exercise good stewardship over the populace, including them in policymaking and decision-making processes and prioritizing the inhabitants’ well-being over their oppression.

Conclusion

Urban planners operate with strategies to delineate neighborhoods and renew physical infrastructure in metropolitan centers, municipalities, or towns. Urban planners may also work with the intention of introducing new communities. They are in charge of monitoring, planning, and controlling the city’s growth. During the stages of their procedures, the most typical issues they face include digital disruption, economic hardship, decentralized and conflicting administrations, institutions, and special districts. An innovation that is considered destabilizing raises the level of rivalry in the marketplace, eventually affecting how the market functions. It is possible to fix the problem by using various corporate paradigms.

A considerable number of people move from rural to urban areas as a direct result of rapid population growth, which results in a rise in the population density of urban areas. A rising population size of urban surroundings culminates in a spike in the expectations imposed on metropolitan settings. Thus, this, in turn, causes a rise in the difficulty of meeting financial obligations, and land banking is one potential solution to this problem. Housing, transit, and other aspects of urban advancement that determine the dispersion of population increase can be significantly hampered by a political structure in disarray. It is possible to resolve the issue by utilizing a centralized government framework. To summarize, persons should minimize competitiveness, be responsible stewards, and embrace their obligations to improve their organization’s efficacy in accordance with the teachings of the Bible.

References

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