5 Ways to develop expertise in community planning and design

Architecture and community planning share the conviction that the built environment shapes the quality of our lives, so it’s natural for architects to become interested in community design. However, there are differences between the two disciplines in scale, time, and scope. The following tips and recommendations offer a practical framework to expand your experience with building design into the realm of planning and designing communities. 

Become a student of communities at every scale.

From neighborhoods to districts and from small towns to large cities, carefully observe communities of all sizes. Each one embodies complex systems of historical, social, and economic issues, overlaid with regulatory policy and political dynamics. Here are some ways to study communities:

• Develop a systems-level view of a community’s environmental issues, cultural rhythms, social networks, business relationships, operating conditions, and government impacts.
• Travel far and wide to best encounter the core aspects and defining qualities of what does and doesn’t work well for citizens and visitors alike.
• Build a visual vocabulary of remarkable places that support the vitality of urban life as it developed and evolved across generations.
• Examine urban features ranging from the modest to the grand—because everything matters in community planning. Assess both thematic overviews and noteworthy details that establish inviting downtowns, public spaces, and neighborhoods where people want to be. 

Familiarize yourself with the rich continuum of urban theories.

Generations of urban theories promote the civic virtues of streetscapes, plazas, parks, and neighborhoods. As is the case in architecture, understanding community planning and design involves studying historical precedents, successes and failures, and emerging trends. 

• Draw lessons from the formative thought leaders of the planning discipline: Christopher Alexander, Edmund Bacon, Leon Krier, and more.
• Study classic urbanism books such as The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs, The Image of the City by Kevin Lynch, and The Birth of Modern City Planning by Camillo Sitte. Also check out case studies, podcasts, webinars, and community presentations.
• Attend civic meetings where issues are debated and impactful decisions are influenced by those who show up and speak up. Such gatherings include those of city councils, planning commissions, and chambers of commerce.
• Opportunities to participate in national planning conferences come from organizations like the American Planning Association, Congress for the New Urbanism, and Urban Land Institute. 

Prioritize honoring communities.

Delving into the history and values that define a community’s sense of identity requires getting to know the people of that community and their organizations. Stepping out of one’s own professional bubble to engage a community in a personal, grassroots manner builds civic awareness, social empathy, and the rewards of connection. Civic activism at any scale, from modest collectives to appointed or elected positions, holds expansive opportunities for creative influence and rewarding results. 

To engage in civic activism, consider serving in a neighborhood association, historic preservation commission, or arts council. You can also take part in efforts to promote environmental issues, protect historic buildings, and advocate for zoning changes. 

Develop your personal vision. 

What’s the best way to make the leap from designing individual buildings to addressing complex community needs? Consider these tactics:

• Go beyond each architectural project by considering its immediate influence and long-term impact past the property lines.
• Create a compelling storyline of actionable benefits. This is critical to foster community buy-in and maintain project momentum through a lengthy planning campaign.
• Adopt a human-centered, socially connective approach over object-oriented design.
• Focus on universal quality-of-life issues.

Take advantage of associations and credentials. 

It’s always a good idea for architects to deepen their qualifications, broaden their certifications, and cultivate professional networks. To that end, here are some groups, resources, and certification programs with which to consider engaging:

• AIA’s Regional & Urban Design Knowledge Community
• The American Planning Association
• The American Institute of Certified Planners
• LEED for Neighborhood Development
• Online courses and the Health Leaders Network at the Urban Land Institute

Community planning and design draws in a spectrum of professional disciplines as well as municipal governments, institutions, developers, civic stakeholders, and the general public. Channeling the resources and influence of each serves a critical role in collectively improving our communities’ quality of place and the resulting quality of life. 

Rex Cabaniss, AIA, AICP, is the is vice-chair of the AIA Regional & Urban Design Committee.