Women in Planning’s Post

I am starting to prepare/finalize what my dissertation will be about to complete my masters degree in Town Planning. I need to conduct original research and really want this to be on feminine town planning, making urban spaces more accessible for woman/girls, and or feminine urban design practices/approaches. I really need to find some southwest coastal england locations that have delivered some successful examples of feminine planning and/or design. I also would really like to speak to a couple urban/town planners that have experience or interest in feminine planning to have a 20 min to half hour chat (either in person or via teams) to getting a better understanding of current issues, emerging practices and/or data gaps. I have limited links/connections in the planning world. So just wondered if any of my architect/planner/placemaking links might know someone or some places they can direct me too? Any help is much appreciated. Photo is just woman around me waiting to get the train out of Plymouth so this isn't all just boring text and easy lost 😊 Women in Planning

Hey everyone! If you're an architect, landscape architect, developer, homeowner, real estate agent, student, educators, environmental consultant, community activist, nonprofit, or just someone passionate about the intricacies of urban planning, I've got a gem for you. Check out the "Planning and Urban Design Standards" by the American Planning Association. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge on US urban planning principles, city fabric, and theory. This essential guide doesn’t just recite the rules—it reveals the logic and principles behind them. This book bridges the gap between the technicalities of zoning and the broader urban planning goals, offering invaluable insights for your next project. If you’ve ever wondered why zoning codes are structured the way they are or how they can serve as a tool for better design, this book is your roadmap. https://lnkd.in/giatDRt7 Why should you dive into this book? Here are a few reasons: Architects: Elevate your designs with a deeper understanding of urban contexts and standards. Developers: Make informed decisions that align with urban planning principles, ensuring sustainable and profitable projects. Homeowners: Gain insights into the planning processes that shape your community and make better-informed decisions about your property. Real Estate Agents: Enhance your expertise and provide clients with valuable information about urban development and planning. Landscape Architects: Integrate urban planning principles into your designs. Students and Educators: A comprehensive resource for learning and teaching urban planning and design. Environmental Consultants: Ensure that urban development projects are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Community Activists and Nonprofits: Advocate for better urban planning and community development. This book is not just a read; it's an investment in your professional growth and understanding of the urban environment. What do you think—are we ready to dig deeper into the planning principles that shape our built environment? Share your thoughts! #UrbanPlanning #Architecture #Development #RealEstate #CityDesign #UrbanTheory #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityPlanning #ProfessionalGrowth #CityFabric #UrbanPlanners #CityOfficials #LandscapeArchitecture #EnvironmentalConsultants #CommunityActivism #Nonprofits #UrbanDevelopment #CityGrowth #UrbanDesignStandards

My latest opinion piece has been published in the Buildings & Cities journal. Decolonization has always been an integral aspect of my academic and professional journey. Over the past six months, it has permeated even my personal relationships and reflections. It became personal and not only political. I now view all aspects of life through this lens, especially how colonialism and its legacies shape every single field out there. In urban planning for example, the concept of redlining, common in the United States, exemplifies a discriminatory practice that consists of the systematic denial of services such as mortgages, insurance loans, and other financial services to residents of certain areas, based on residents' geographical locations, often linked to their race or ethnicity. This practice is a direct consequence of the US racist colonial history, and persists due to the underrepresentation of BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) urban planners and policymakers. So naturally, as an urban scholar and practitioner from the Global South working mostly in the West, I often wonder where are my peers - the ones that look like me? Where are they when it comes to decision-making, high-profile positions? Where are they when decisions about cities are being made, especially considering the disproportionate impact these decisions often have on marginalized communities? Urbanism in its current form doesn’t take into account women’s needs. That’s something I often talk about here and on other platforms. But urbanism has a race issue as well. Colonisation lingering effects on urban development reflects a broader issue of inclusivity within the field. It’s time we ask ourselves which, how and for whom are our cities built, if we want to pave the way for more inclusive built environments and equitable cities. You can read my opinion piece here: https://lnkd.in/etbYx2bS I am most grateful to David Glew from Leeds Beckett University, who invited me to contribute to this esteemed journal, as well as Richard Lorch, the editor-in-chief of the B&C, for giving me such a platform. #urbanism #decelopment #decolonisation #journal #planning #diversity

Historically and currently, architecture, government, and urban planning – three of the main fields needed to develop, approve, and build cities – are dominated by men. In 2020, 17% of all registered architects were female; in 2021, only 35% of all city planners were female, and, in a 2022 survey, only 29% of top appointed officials across 9,500 local U.S governments were women. https://lnkd.in/eyjTNMEm

Urban planning is inherently interdisciplinary and draws from architecture, civil engineering, sociology, psychology, and economics—among other fields. Here’s a breakdown of how each discipline contributes: 1. Architecture: Focuses on the design of individual buildings, public spaces, and urban aesthetics. Informs the look, feel, and function of spaces, contributing to how people experience cities. 2. Civil Engineering: Concerned with the infrastructure—roads, bridges, water systems, and other public works. Plays a critical role in ensuring that cities are structurally sound, safe, and sustainable. 3. Sociology & Psychology: Studies how people interact with their environment, community cohesion, and social dynamics. Insights from these fields help planners create spaces that foster inclusivity, well-being, and social interaction. 4. Economics: Deals with the economic development and financial sustainability of cities. Urban planners use economic principles to ensure cities are economically viable, encouraging growth while managing resources efficiently. So, urban planning is a combination of all these areas, blending design and infrastructure with social and economic considerations to create functional, liveable, and sustainable urban environments.

Here's my 2024 LinkedIn Rewind, by Coauthor.studio: From reimagining civic buildings to revitalizing urban facades, 2024 taught me that every design challenge is an opportunity for community impact. This year marked significant transitions: completing formal education, advancing professional practice, and expanding humanitarian impact through leadership roles. Each step reinforced that great architecture, like effective leadership, creates spaces where communities can thrive. Key milestones that shaped our impact: • Graduated with Bachelor's Honours in Architecture • Joined Aangular Interior Architecture + Designs as Architectural Technologist • Appointed as District Secretary for D412A LEOs (Zimbabwe & Botswana) • Completed Advanced Lions Leadership Institute • Expanded Samungwe Design Group into construction equipment rental Three projects that resonated with our community: "Glen View Magistrates Court Design Studio Project" Reimagining civic buildings as community spaces rather than fortresses, incorporating open-air theatres for court weddings "Many at times these political buildings are designed as fortresses whereas they are supposed to be Civic Buildings also celebrating Communities." https://lnkd.in/d-g9_8_V "Digital Marketing Innovation for Urban Renewal" Proposing innovative solutions for building renovation through digital marketing revenue "Using the same marketing models applied within the New York Times Square, as architects can we not reimagine these facades to give them a new look that becomes functional as a facade and at the same time generating income." https://lnkd.in/dXSYrMUa "Advanced Lions Leadership Institute Graduation" Five fundamental practices shaping both leadership and design "Leadership develops daily, not in a day" https://lnkd.in/dYjq7h9V Looking ahead to 2025: Focusing on expanding architectural innovation in Zimbabwe while strengthening Leo Club impact across Southern Africa. The fusion of design thinking and community service continues to drive our vision for more inclusive, functional spaces. To every architect and community leader working to create spaces where people thrive: your designs shape more than skylines - they shape opportunities for connection, growth, and positive change.

A city isn’t defined by its skyline but by the way it feels to live there. A mother walking with her baby doesn’t think about master plans or frameworks. She feels the cool shade of a tree. The heat radiating from the pavement. The air her child breathes. At ENVI-met, we shift with our software the focus to what really matters - people. Our software supports planners and designers to model the invisible forces that shape everyday life: shade, airflow, heat. These aren’t just technical details, they’re what transform unwelcoming streets into ones where people relax at cafes, shop locally, and choose neighborhoods for their homes and schools. The question isn’t whether cities can do better. It’s whether you as an archtict, landscape architect, urban planner or developer are ready to make them better. With ENVI-met, you have the tools to design healthier, safer, more livable spaces. Let’s create cities that care. Start modeling with us today: www.envi-met.com.

Monday urbanism dive: why America's suburban growth is a bad investment After WWII, America embarked on a radical transformation: we spread out and built sprawling suburban communities. This grand suburban experiment marked the first time in history that humans tried this entirely new pattern of development. 🚧 The Hidden Costs: Suburban development patterns initially boost city revenues, but over time, they become financially insolvent: - Property taxes don’t cover the long-term costs of maintaining infrastructure (at suburban densities) - Cities inherit infrastructure debt — trillions of dollars in deferred maintenance for roads, utilities, and public services. - Instead of addressing this, many communities keep building the next suburb, compounding the financial strain. The result? Declining tax revenues leave many cities in fiscal crisis. 🏙️ That's why we're focused on urban investment, and why we’re excited about growing focus on adaptive reuse: - High-density areas drive financial productivity: unlike sprawling suburbs, urban cores generate significantly more tax revenue per acre while requiring less infrastructure per capita. -That’s why we’re so excited by adaptive reuse these days: Converting vacant or distressed office buildings into workforce housing repairs holes in the urban fabric. - Like an ecosystem repairing itself toward highest and best use, adaptive reuse strengthens cities from within. It’s an eye-opening concept, and in my opinion an important one to chew on if you’re working in the real estate world. If you're investing in urban density as well, shoot me a DM or comment, let's connect.

Urban planners can balance the needs of developers with the cultural aspirations of a community through several approaches: 1. Community Engagement: Planners should actively involve the community in the planning process. This can be done through public forums, workshops, and surveys to gather input on development projects. By understanding the values and desires of the community, planners can work with developers to create projects that reflect local culture. 2. Zoning Regulations: Implementing flexible zoning laws can allow for mixed-use developments that accommodate both commercial interests and community spaces. This can include parks, cultural centers, or public art installations that resonate with the community’s identity. 3. Incentives for Culturally-Sensitive Development: Urban planners can provide incentives for developers who incorporate cultural elements into their projects. This could involve grants or tax breaks for those who include local artists’ work or design spaces that foster community interaction. 4. Collaboration with Local Organizations: Partnering with cultural organizations, non-profits, and local artists can help ensure that developments support the community’s identity. These collaborations can lead to economically viable and culturally relevant projects. 6. Sustainability Practices: Incorporating sustainable and environmentally friendly practices can address developers’ needs while aligning with community values around preserving the environment and promoting health. This can include green spaces, energy-efficient buildings, and local materials sourcing. By implementing these strategies, urban planners can create a synergy between development and cultural aspirations, ensuring that both interests are addressed effectively. Source: (urbanguild.org) . . . #premiumpropertytrust #birminghamalabama #bhamal #realestateinvesting #realestate #architecture #pptreit #realestateinvestment #realestateinvestmenttrust #buildinggenerationalwealth #mixedused #newurbanism #generationalwealth #investing #reit #ppt #verticalintegration #premiumbydesign

"Looking to connect with professionals in field of Urban planning I am currently exploring Game Theory in Urban Planing and would love to learn from others in the field." A Game-Theoretic Approach Imagine a bustling city—a complex tapestry of diverse interests. Residents demand better living conditions, businesses seek profitability, government officials pursue policies for public welfare, and environmental activists strive to protect nature. These competing interests often lead to conflicts that hinder progress and result in suboptimal outcomes. Urban planning, tasked with balancing these interests, is no easy feat. But there is a powerful tool that can help—Game Theory, a mathematical framework that sheds light on strategic interactions and offers solutions to conflicts. What is Game Theory? Game theory is a study of strategic decision-making. Think of it as a chess match, but with players representing real-life entities—individuals, groups, or organizations—each making decisions that impact not only themselves but others as well. By analyzing these interactions, game theory helps us understand how players with different goals and strategies influence each other's choices. Game Theory in Urban Planning Urban areas are arenas of constant negotiation between various stakeholders, including: Residents vs. Developers: Conflicts arise over land use, noise pollution, and increased traffic congestion caused by new developments. Businesses vs. Environmentalists: Tensions emerge over industrial expansion, pollution control, and the preservation of natural habitats. How Game Theory Can Help Game theory offers two primary approaches—cooperative and non-cooperative—to address urban conflicts. Cooperative Game Theory This approach emphasizes collaboration to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Strategies include: Teaming Up: Encouraging stakeholders to form alliances that align their interests and enable them to achieve shared goals. Negotiating a Deal: Facilitating discussions to identify trade-offs and create solutions that satisfy multiple parties. Calling in the Mediator: Involving neutral third parties to help reconcile differences and resolve disputes effectively. Cooperative strategies work best when stakeholders recognize the value of long-term collaboration over short-term gains. Non-Cooperative Game Theory When collaboration isn’t feasible, non-cooperative game theory helps navigate competitive scenarios. Key concepts include: The Prisoner's Dilemma: Analyzing situations where individual stakeholders prioritize self-interest over collective welfare, often leading to suboptimal outcomes. By applying game theory, planners can bridge the gap between competing interests, fostering equitable solutions that benefit all stakeholders.