Integrate Planning & Design Instruments

Planning and design instruments are the starting point for setting requirements for sustainability. It requires sequencing, coordination at all levels and integration of infrastructure investments with land use. Structural changes come with a thorough planning that must define a long-lasting vision and a series of phased targets focusing on short-term goals while capitalising on a high-level of coordination with local government departments for efficient sustainable urban design.

Since integrated urban planning is an interdisciplinary exercise, these Guidelines offer four steps to consider to developing plans across sectors: setting an integrated vision; develop local area statutory plans; develop land use regulation and the establishment of a hierarchy of planning instruments.

Matt LaVasseur — Setting an Integrated Vision

The site assessment is the starting point for designing a unique neighbourhood through the thorough investigation of the context, character and environment of the area, which include its natural and urban geography, as well as its human history; its forms of settlements, buildings and spaces; its ecology and archeology; and its location and the lines of movement that cross it and link it to the city.
A visions describes the community objectives and provides a long-term goal for project participants that embodies a a strategy for the future.
Three key beliefs are punctuating the rhythm of a long-term vision: *creating value is possible*, *overcoming constrains is feasible* and consider the situation to be *dynamic.*

**How should you start conducting the initial context assessment?**
Consider first a SWOT analysis, as well as a foundational concept ideas and strategic options outlining the vision and enhancing the flexibility of the project as it unfolds.

Ussama Azam — Local Area Statutory Plans

Planning authorities have the legal responsibility to plan their neighbourhoods through local area plans together with a thorough consultation ensuring and promoting sustainability. These plans and documents should reflect high-level goals. Answering the following questions is a decisive step for the development of the planning process:
a) *What are the relationships and connections between neighbourhoods, community amenities, cycling and pedestrian networks?*

b) *What are the available adequate existing public transport capacity or likely to be available within a reasonable development timescale?*

c) *How many new housing are needed in the area? Including the provision of affordable housing with different types and sizes.*
d) *Is there a need for a sequential approach to residential and land zoning, extending from the centre to the outside?*
e) *What benefits can mixed-use bring?*
f) *How to create a comprehensive framework for the (re) development, and the possibility that non-statutory guidelines will supplement the local plan?*
g) *What size, location and type of public realm?*
h) *What is the appropriate density levels?*
i) *How to protect and enhance biodiversity as well as green infrastructure?*
j) *How to ensure effective adaptation to the impacts of climate change?*
k) *How to avoid natural hazards such as flood risk for downstream areas?*
After having these questions answered, you can then consider the three following questions to assess the sustainability of development plans:
**1) Does the proposed development plan, local plans, or planning scheme for the neighbourhood contain policy and objectives that underpin the creation of sustainability?**
**2) Do they include clear guidelines on execution, particularly regarding the phased and coordinated provision of physical infrastructure, public transport and amenities?**
**3) Has an implementation team been envisaged with a project manager to oversee the construction?**

Katie Rodriguez — Developing Land Use Regulations

**Land-use rules, such as zoning ordinances and building codes, are necessary to make sustainable neighbourhoods a reality.** Plans should identify the sequence of construction for the zoned lands. Zoning should stimulate infill opportunities and give priority to land which is closest to the core and to transit routes. Phasing should be synchronised with the delivery of public transport, schools, community and recreation facilities, etc. Traditional zoning procedures must be revised to favour a form-based approach. A form-based code fosters predictable built results and a high-quality public realm. It utilises physical form rather than separation of uses as organising principle.

Edvard Alexander Rølvaag — Planning Instruments Hierarchy

Several types of planning instruments should be developed. from to ensure the coherence of a project over time. From large scale design frameworks to
**1) Design Frameworks:** Frameworks are strategic plans developed by (or adopted by) local authorities. They define the key principles of how sustainable design should be implemented and how to monitor, guide and promote change. They supersede other planning instruments and can cover a range of geographical scales from an entire city to a site.
**2) Master Plans:** A master plan specifies the intended layout of an area. It presents proposals for buildings, spaces, movement and land use, and links them into an implementation strategy.
**3) Quality Programmes:** A quality programme is a set of guidelines that shape the project and its environmental profile and targets.
**4) Design Codes:** A design code provides clarity over design quality for a site or area, with certainty for developers and the local community. They are a type of detailed guidance comprising a set of written and graphic rules. Design codes establish design ‘rules’ for streets, squares, and open spaces before the buildings’ design. A design code usually refers to a master plan for design guidelines. They enable several architects to work on a part of the neighbourhood so that each parcel is coherent and contributes to the whole.
Click HERE to learn more about Design Code.
**5) Site Briefs:** A planning authority should prepare design briefs for sensitive or large-scale development areas. A site brief defines the requirements of each site within a framework, master plan or design code.
6) **Design Statements:** Developers should be requested to produce design statements to explain why a design solution is the most sustainable for an area.

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