Urban planning is becoming one of the most important aspects of the construction industry. Rural-urban migration has caused an increased population in almost every major city in the world. The additional population require the construction of housing and other infrastructure in order to thrive in their new location. Here are some of the best urban planning principles that need to be incorporated into future planning to adequately accommodate an ongoing influx in urban citizenship.
Community Involvement
One of the fundamental principles of planning any urban area pertains to involving members of the corresponding society. Some urban developers make dire mistakes by building structures without first seeking to understand the specific needs of the community. It is important to ask the opinion of relevant society members, and subsequently involve their feedback in all stages of development to ensure the needs of the community are being met.
Inclusion
Although it is similar to community involvement, inclusion goes beyond soliciting feedback and ventures into welcoming a diverse pool of city dwellers to a particular location. The goal is to ensure that the wellbeing and beliefs of any person living in the urban area are accounted for in the development program. This principle focuses on ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals in society, like women, children, and the disabled, are able to live a life of equal quality as those represented by the majority. Ignoring entire subcategories of citizens opens the door for criticism and conflict down the road.
Think Ahead
Another important urban planning principle is thinking ahead. Urban areas are developed not only to be enjoyed by the current generation but also to last long enough to benefit future generations. This means that the developers must address immediate needs while also anticipating and incorporating the needs of future residents. For example, roads and other public facilities should be designed to accommodate an increasing population and corporate expansion.
Sustainability
Developing sustainable cities may be one of the newest principles in the urban planning industry, but it is arguably one of the most important. Modern urban areas require sustainable supporting utilities. Things like a sufficient water supply, the availability of natural resources , and an adequate source of electricity all fall under this development principle. Sustainable urban planning ensures that cities are able to adequately adapt to an ever-expanding population without crumbling under stressed infrastructure and policy.