TABLE OF CONTENTS William N.Lane
Dane County Regional Planning Commission
Madison, Wisconsin
Planning for the physical development of communities and regions generally requires an interdisciplinary team approach. Although planning generalists may prepare general development plans for smaller communities, more complex and specialized studies require consultation with and guidance from experts and specialists in a diverse array of disciplines. Since civil engineering works are fundamental components in the physical development of cities and regions, the civil engineer plays a prominent role in community and regional planning efforts.
This section is only a brief overview of the most significant issues and approaches used in planning studies. The references at the end of this section contain additional information as well as more extensive bibliographies.
Planning is practiced routinely by individuals, corporations, and governments. Time and activities are scheduled. Efforts are directed toward achieving goals and objectives. Scarce material and time resources are allocated to various competing demands.
Planning is good management, allowing anticipation and preparation for future events, and is concerned with both avoiding future problems and correcting existing problems. Planning helps meet basic human needs, such as housing, transportation, and goods, and conserves and protects resources and maintains environmental quality. The planning approach, by rationally examining the range of available solutions to existing problems, can result in the selection of a solution that does not itself become a future problem.
Governmental actions and programs often require major expenditures for public works and...
