University expert critiques Victoria’s urban and regional planning

There is a fundamental crisis in planning in Victoria, University of Melbourne planning expert Dr Alan March writes in his new book The Democratic Plan: Analysis and Diagnosis.

The book, which was launched yesterday, looks at the challenges and possibilities of urban and regional planning.

“Conflicting approaches and various governments have undermined planning’s legitimacy and allowed its goals to be eroded and co-opted in the face of mounting challenges,” Dr March said.

“While planning must always draw on technical skills, it also involves politics, equity issues, environmental concerns and ongoing decision-making.

“Inequity of services, income and opportunity continues unchecked and is increasing in many cities and regions.”

Dr March says urgent environmental challenges, while now generally accepted by many citizens and decision-makers as paramount, remain largely unanswered.

“Urban planning has a key role to play in responding to these challenges, yet is often reactive and ineffectual,” he said.

Dr March is Senior Lecturer in the Melbourne School of Design and coordinates the Urban Design and Planning Major in the Bachelor of Environments. He has twice won the Global Planning Education Network’s prize for Best Planning Paper (2007, 2011).