As I am a student of Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning,
I have a unit called Planning Theory and Process 1, need to be complete. This
basically introduces us into historic and contemporary planning theories and
applied planning processes and tools used. Based on classic planning readings,
it is aimed to stimulate the students’ critical reflection and insightful
observations on planning topics and encourage the students to provide creative
solutions to real world planning problems.
We discuss about science and art to 1930s to millennium early this week. Today I am going to write about what is planning and whether it is an art or science? Let’s start with planning first. If someone asks us what is the meaning of planning? , Our first answer, regards on that will be some sort of thinking, before we start any task. Yes this is true; planning is strategic thinking before we start any task. In broad sense, planning is the mode of thinking critically and creatively about and organizing the activities required to achieve a desired goal. Planning is a fundamental property of intelligent behaviour, which involves the creativity, imagination, broadways of thinking etc. Planning also employs the creation and maintenance of a Plan.
Now, next thing, is planning an art or science? In my understanding planning is a science and art both. Why? Because in planning there are lots of process , assumptions , rational methods employed, conclusion reached and regular re- examination of past assumptions, methods and conclusion. Also, to be a planner you have to maintain certain standard and must complete certain qualification which involves the certificate tests, ethical standards and documentable and quantifiable results. These all which I mentioned above are part of science not an art. Even though planning are more into science, there is also artistic abilities that planner used with science to be a successful planner. A successful planner is often the result of artistic use of scientific conclusion, rather the product of a scientific process itself. This is why I thought Planning is more science based but also based on artistic abilities. What do you think?
