May 1, 2024
Updated May 9, 2025
19 minute read
City planning, also known as urban planning, is the process of designing and managing the development of land and the built environment. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from strategic thinking and analysis to urban design, public consultation, and policy implementation. The core objective of city planning is to create functional, sustainable, and livable communities by considering factors like public welfare, efficiency, sanitation, environmental protection, and social equity. Ultimately, city planners work to guide the orderly development of urban, suburban, and rural areas, addressing how people will live, work, and play within a given space.
Working in city planning can be deeply engaging. Imagine the excitement of transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant public parks, designing transportation systems that connect communities efficiently and sustainably, or developing policies that ensure housing is accessible to all residents. City planners often act as a vital link between government agencies, developers, and community members, working to resolve concerns and build consensus around development projects. The opportunity to directly shape the physical form and social fabric of a community, leaving a lasting positive impact, is a powerful motivator for many in this field.
What is City Planning All About?
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Find a path to becoming a City Planning. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/lrn60b/city
Reading list
We've selected eight books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
City Planning.
A comprehensive and authoritative overview of the field of urban planning, covering a wide range of topics from theory to practice.
A comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities of climate change for cities, covering topics ranging from adaptation to mitigation to resilience.
A comprehensive guide to urban design methods, including case studies and examples from around the world.
A comparative analysis of the politics of urban planning in different countries, covering topics ranging from the role of the state to the participation of citizens.
A comprehensive overview of the field of urban geography, covering topics ranging from the spatial structure of cities to the social and economic processes that shape cities.
A practical guide to infrastructure planning in developing countries, covering topics ranging from project identification to financing to implementation.
A comprehensive overview of the concept of the smart city, covering topics ranging from the use of technology to the role of citizens.
A practical guide to planning for climate change, including case studies and examples from around the world.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/lrn60b/city
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