What Urban Planning Profession is about? ...and about Community Development through Art and Celebration (Importance of Arts)

When I went to University to study Urban Planning, I realized how many people actually do not understand what this profession is about, and actually I did not fully understand it either until I finished my first quarter. Urban Planning is a profession for creative people that want to improve people's quality of life and environment around us. Some people might think that engineers and architects can do this job, but the truth is Urban Planners are the ones that make the planning that actually works and bring architects, engineers and other professionals together to achieve the plan. I’ve seen so many streets, buildings, and parks that were designed by architects and engineers, but within some time it just doesn't work anymore and it must be redone. This is a normal thing when within some time we have to rebuild something, but if there would be a better planning there would be no need to spend so much money and pollute the environment even more.

So what Urban Planners really do?

Urban Planners deal with technical and political process that concerns with the development and use of our land, public welfare, protection of our environment, and the design of the urban environment, including water, air, transportation, communications, and distribution networks. Urban Planners write Comprehensive Plans and many other various reports. Also, Urban Planners work on planning community events that have many benefits for citizens.

Here, in this post I’d like to to talk about this profession and one type of the planning that I admire the most - Community Development through arts and celebration.

Art, traditions, culture, and street celebrations are a big part of community development and urban planning overall. The arts revitalize neighborhoods and promote economic prosperity. Participation in the arts improves physical and psychological well-being. The arts provide a catalyst for the creation of social capital and the attainment of important community goals. Our characteristics and the way we communicate with other people are shaped by cultural behaviors, such as storytelling, music, and social integration mechanisms. It is very important that our cities and towns promote art activities that help educate us about our own and others’ traditions and culture. These activities improve our interactional approach with others and they emphasize on the emergence of the community.

A city full of unique art becomes a unique place, which attracts tourism and creates a better economy. Art makes us feel alive and expands our perceptions of the world. Art makes us see value and importance in people and buildings we may have otherwise overlooked. Art is a participatory activity that creates communities' own identity, culture, and the value of working together on a local level.

Helping a community begins with an understanding of its historic, cultural, economic, and social context, which is an essential foundation for developing and building sense of place. It is very important that kids are growing up in the city where art plays an important role because art has a big impact on learning. Art improves our critical thinking and academic performance. Also, it helps lift children from disadvantaged neighborhoods and backgrounds. Artists allow a community to assess its historic, cultural, economic, and social context. Artistic and cultural activities can be used to engage the public more fully in planning practices, such as improving the built environment, plan making, reviewing development and infrastructure projects, supporting economic development, and preserving cultural heritage, and transmitting cultural values and history.

Here are some pictures of community events that help …

pictures from https://www.istockphoto.com/

source and my own knowledge :)

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