Process and Transformation of Urban and Environmental Planning Policies

The first known urban planning activity is observed in Babylon, Mesopotamia.

Hippodamus of Miletus was an ancient Greek architect, urban planner, physician, mathematician, meteorologist, and philosopher, who is considered to be “the father of European urban planning.”

When we look at medieval cities, we see a confined space enclosed with walls or ditches. The most basic feature of these settlements is being formed around the lord’s house, the church, or the marketplace. Other features are attached houses and cul-de-sacs possibly aimed to confuse the enemy in case of occupation.

“City Beautiful” is the idea of beautification and monumental grandeur in cities in order to overcome the misery caused by poor living conditions during the 1890s and 1900s in the USA. It aimed to promote civic virtue among the inhabitants, reach the same cultural quality of European cities, and make city centers a preferable living area for the upper-middle class again.

“Garden City” was being proposed in the UK, by Ebenezer Howard. This movement aimed to radically change the planning and urbanization concepts of the time. He envisaged the future settlement as “Garden Cities” integrated with nearby rural areas, linked by roads and rail, public offices, and facilities located in the center

In the project “Broadacre City” by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1932, low density settlement was proposed. In this project, 1 Acre (0,4 Ha) plot of land would be assigned to each family. Business quarters would be located amid housing areas. Plan of transportation infrastructure would be in specific geometrical forms. Industry would be located in completely separate areas.

In the Schuster Report, qualifications of urban planners are described along with the scope of urban planning profession. The report emphasizes that urbanism is not only about how to use land for settlement, but also should forecast and aid decisions on the future of settlements. Additionally, the report points out that city planning should consider factors such as rural environment, metropolitan area, status of the city within a region and country, and relations as a whole with other settlements.

This was the first international conference focusing on the environmental damage caused by economic growth-oriented development, and the conference can be regarded as a basis for sustainability ideas.

Sustainable development is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

The three pillars of sustainability are economic viability, environmental protection, and social equity.

The main impacts of climate change on urban areas are; (a) rise in sea levels and storm surges, (b) extreme weather events and flooding, (c) heat waves and higher temperatures, (d) air pollution and reduced air quality, (e) water shortage and water pollution

The mitigation aspect covers increasing energy efficiency, using renewable energy resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The adaptation aspect covers measures for becoming less affected by the adverse impacts of climate change such as improving natural fields, preventing poverty, protecting vulnerable classes of society, enhancing economic structure, improving urban infra and superstructure, and renewing ecosystems.

Mixed-use of land is an urban development process that aims to integrate physical and functional areas in a city in order to reach higher living standards (Cervero, 1996). Housing areas, trade and business areas, and public services should have strong spatial connections in the mixed-use concept. Thus, the demand for transportation between such areas would be reduced and less energy would be required for transportation. At the same time, mixed-use of land would help to develop diverse and dynamic urban life.

The term compact city refers to an urban environment that is characterized by “higher average ‘blended’ densities”, mixed land uses, and an efficient public transportation system that also provides opportunities for non-motorized modes, such as walking and cycling

Monocentric city regions are composed of a single metropolitan city and several dependent settlements in its suburbs.

In the moist zones, buildings should have larger window openings for maximum cooling by the wind and spacing among the buildings should allow corridors for the wind.

The “green infrastructure” term means the protection and cultivation of green fields in both urban and regional scale.

Urban agriculture can be in different forms with different economic and social outcomes. Most common forms of urban agriculture can be classified as community gardens, allotments, backyard gardens, rooftop gardens, and urban farms.

Cultural heritage is comprised of three types: Tangible e.g, structures, monuments, landscapes, works of art, and artifacts), intangible (e.g., folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge), and natural (e.g., biodiversity and culturally significant landscapes)