Urban planning and development have emerged as effective solution to human issues because it pays attention to the implications of human settlement on the environment and sustainability. Therefore, the theories that guide associated initiatives are critical in ensuring positive advancement and progress toward goals. Mainly, conceptual planning and the rational-comprehensive planning theories are frameworks builders should adopt to cater to diverse issues and fulfil their responsibility to the earth as stipulated in the bible.
Conceptual planning approaches deal with ideas and abstract principles that guide planning rather than the tools and techniques used in the implementation. Thus, conceptual planning accommodates social constructs, political dimensions, and philosophical institutions to make urban planning development decisions (Cullingworth, 2004). As a result, this approach acknowledges how city designs will affect women and marginalized groups, interpersonal relations, inequality, power imbalance, the economy, and the environment. Thus, conceptual planning is critical in creating more democratic, equitable, and sustainable societies.
The rational-comprehensive planning theory allows planning committees to consider a range of options before selecting one with the most potential benefits. Using the tenets of this concept in urban planning and development enables systematically evaluating plans based on a set of criteria (Couch, 2016). Thus, it makes it possible to assess relevant projects, alter designs to produce more value, and carry out risk analyses. The theory assumes planners can select the best fit without bias (Heymans et al., 2019). However, social and political factors often influence decisions and the planning process. Regardless, it offers an opportunity to consider effective solutions to city planning and urban development.
Human beings are responsible for biodiversity and environmental conservation. The Book of Genesis suggests that God put man on earth so he could till the land (King James Bible, 2019). Thus, it is human’s responsibility to ensure its thriving by doing things in an organized manner. Proverbs 28:19 suggests that a man who does not till his land will not have any food and will suffer in poverty (King James Bible, 2019). Therefore, urban planning and development theories enable humans to achieve their goals and live as God wishes.
References
Couch, C. (2016). Urban planning. Palgrave McMillian. ISBN: 9781137427564
Cullingworth, B. (2004). Planning in the USA: policies, issues and processes. Routledge. ISBN: 9780415506977
Heymans, A., Breadsell, J., Morrison, G. M., Byrne, J. J., & Eon, C. (2019). Ecological urban planning and design: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 11(13), 3723. Web.
King James Bible. (2019). Christian Art Publishers. (Original work published 1769)