Community Planning: An Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan

by Eric Damian Kelly

This book introduces community planning as practiced in the United States, focusing on the comprehensive plan. Sometimes known by other names—especially master plan or general plan—the type of plan described here is the predominant form of general governmental planning in the U.S. Although many government agencies make plans for their own programs or facilities, the comprehensive plan is the only planning document that considers multiple programs and that accounts for activities on all land located within the planning area, including both public and private property.
 
Written by a former president of the American Planning Association, Community Planning is thorough, specific, and timely. It addresses such important contemporary issues as sustainability, walkable communities, the role of urban design in public safety, changes in housing needs for a changing population, and multi-modal transportation planning. Unlike competing books, it addresses all of these topics in the context of the local comprehensive plan.
 
There is a broad audience for this planning students, practicing planners, and individual citizens who want to better understand local planning and land use controls. Boxes at the end of each chapter explain how professional planners and individual citizens, respectively, typically engage the issues addressed in the chapter. For all readers, Community Planning provides a pragmatic view of the comprehensive plan, clearly explained by a respected authority.

Genres: School

424 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1999

Reviews

[Chris D'Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good guide to get me back into the comprehensive mindset of what community planning is about.

[Liz Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the text used in a graduate level introductory urban planning course, however It is an undergraduate level text that assumes you know absolutely nothing about the built environment. Also, as it relates to any mention of technology this book needs an update.

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not an easy thing to take a dry subject and make it readable. However, I personally feel the author did a great job with it. I'm just a novice in the subject area at this time, but I continue to find the book helpful.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and accessible introduction to all facets of community planning. Solidly grounded in history of community planning in the Unites States.