Aesthetics etc. OR .. ‘by the numbers’?
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What do people think is the best way to ‘do’ planning. Assess planning applications solely by ‘doing the numbers’ eg plot ratio, site coverage etc. and getting a straight grant/refusal OR. look at the ‘bigger picture’ and take other things into account, compromise, balance, suggestions in conditions etc.
Seems to be the case here some planning departments are full of engineers administrating the planning process as opposed to trying to help it along and direct things on towards certain goals/ best practice etc.
Nothing against engineers but shouldn’t planners do planning and engineers what they were trained to do? Didn’t they give up the idea of using architects and engineers only to do ‘planning’ in the ’60s? i.e. somebody said to me recently ‘don’t you have to be a qualified engineer to do planning?’ – yes would be the answer if planning only dealt with engineering structures. The question portrayed the view (common?) that planning as a whole is simply a technical, administrative function (which it isn’t).
Architects would be far better placed to do planning, at least on the aesthetics side of things although ‘planning’ has expanded to take in other things eg. urban/economic development. im new too this site – what do people think?Planners are actually probably the best proessionals to deal with planning matters. Yes aesthetics do have a bearing but its worth noting that diferent socities, social groups and individuals can and do have radically different ideas as to what constitute good aesthetics, so the ‘by the numbers’ system in the absence of an ideal society is probably the best general method.
On the other hand it would be useful to have a related body such as the UK’s Royal Fine Arts Commission to be referred to and consulted in respect of aesthetic and cultural issues where these are of major significance in planning terms.
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