The art of planning.

http://artstyleonline.com/tag/abstract-art/page/4/

Ask anyone what their favourite city is and you will have a multitude of answers. Examine these closely and you will most likely begin to discover a trend; they are cities which either have character, are well connected, embody a ‘vibe’, and are full of lovely people or evoke some kind of emotion. Indeed everyone will have their opinion because, like art, the distinguishing quality is subjective. So, if a city can be art, are urban planners the artists?

Reflecting on the role of an urban planner does not conjure romantic images of artistic talent nor insightful philosophy. Instead, we perceive someone who studies land use policies, development controls, government regulations and economic budgets. However, urban planners extend artistic merit beyond the realms of aesthetics. It could be argued that the ability to incorporate community participation amongst their surroundings in itself is art primarily due to the fact that it is neither rational nor reasonable. Similarly, transportation, public spaces and liveability, are all areas which command some insight in to the human psyche. But then again, are these simply slipping in to the realms of science?

It is no secret that science has an important undertone in planning decisions. It tells us where, what and how much we can build. It accelerates society through transitional phases of technological ingenuity. It improves our health, it changes our demographics, it connects us and it powers our homes. However, there is one fundamental building block that these feats all have in common: creativity. Indeed this is also the most important trait an urban planner can have in order to assist in society’s progression.

Although aesthetics do assist in a city's visual appeal, a truly successful city relies on the implementation of social cohesion and foresight. It would seem that art and science go hand in hand and due to the pluralist nature of the urban planner, it is nothing more than an advantage.