Role of Planning

This morning's Openning Ceremony of IFHP Centenary Congress in University College of London saw Mr Mitchell Silver, Past President of American Planning Association delivered an interesting address. He touched on the emerging trend and challenges of planning especially in America and the World in general. He reckoned that "P" is stood for planning and not the process as many planners have forgotten. He highlighted that the role of planning is to pay special concern on the consequences of the present action and of no action. Afterall no action to some issue means yes or consequences to other things. It is not about what actions have been taken but rather the consequences of a particular action that is important and critical. He shared with the audience on different aspiration, demand and need of people in different generation group. The baby boomers group have different idea about themselves and city compared to the X or Y Generation. Thereby, planning without identifying the need and target group is tantamount to failure in planning. He cautioused that the World will see more single unmarriaged family or even family without children. The presence of aging society and other demographic changes will also impact on the model of planning and how the city should response. He ended the talk by urging all audience to to fall back in love with planning again. An appeal that have been loss amongst the planners fraternity, I believe.