How to create the world's new urban future With the majority of the world's population shifting to urban centres, urban planning―the practice of land-use and transportation planning to help shape cities structurally, economically, and socially―has become an increasingly vital profession. In Urban Planning For Dummies , readers will get a practical overview of this fascinating field, including studying community demographics, determining the best uses for land, planning economic and transportation development, and implementing plans. Following an introductory course on urban planning, this book is key reading for any urban planning student or anyone involved in urban development. With new studies conclusively demonstrating the dramatic impact of urban design on public psychological and physical health, the impact of the urban planner on a community is immense. And with a wide range of positions for urban planners in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors―including law firms, utility companies, and real estate development firms―having a fundamental understanding of urban planning is key to anyone even considering entry into this field. This book provides a useful introduction and lays the groundwork for serious study. Helps readers understand the essentials of this complex profession - Written by a certified practicing urban planner, with extensive practical and community-outreach experience For anyone interested in being in the vanguard of building, designing, and shaping tomorrow's sustainable city, Urban Planning For Dummies offers an informative, entirely accessible introduction on learning how. "Seeing a 'Dummies' book about urban planning is actually a testament to the fact that the field of urban planning has arrived in the public consciousness. It's also clear that this is book is not at all for dummies. Written in every-day English, the book thoughtfully and engagingly covers topics from 'What is Urban Planning' (Chapter 1) to 'Urban Design' (Chapter 8) to 'Planning and Disasters' (Chapter 14)." - Planetizen's 10 best books in urban planning, design and development for 2013 "Urban Planning for Dummies - a new and slightly curious addition to the For Dummies series of instructional books. It's a pretty wonky subject to see in the straightforward and simplified style of this series, and raises the instantaneous question many of these books raise: who would actually want to read this?" - The Atlantic Cities "Here's an unexpected find in the popular For Dummies series: Urban Planning for Dummies , by Jordan Yin, AICP. The book includes the top-10 lists that are a feature of the series. There are 10 ideas for making your community a better place (e.g., 'pay attention to design details' and 'make room for nature'); 10 great cities with great plans (in the U.S., Savannah, Washington, New York, and Celebration, Florida); and 10 urban plans you can find online. - Planning Magazine "The well-known 'Dummies' series may attract snickers, but the books are usually excellent primers about difficult subjects. Yin's book covers the basics of how cities and towns grow and change, how to plan for housing, transportation and land use, how to design greener and more sustainable communities, and how citizens can get involved." - David Beach, Green Cities Blue Lake Institute, Cleveland Museum of Natural History Find out how to plan a great future for your community Urban planning is vital to the future success of cities, towns, and suburbs across the globe. Urban plans help communities take stock of what's good and bad about the community in the present and determine the best improvements to make for the future. With the majority of the world's population shifting to urban areas, it has become an increasingly vital profession. Whether you're thinking about a career in urban planning or looking for a way to get more involved in your community, Urban Planning For Dummies will give you a practical overview of this fascinating field, including determining the best uses for land, planning for transportation and economic development, and discovering how urban plans are made and carried out. Understand the building blocks of urban planning — explore all the different elements that contribute to the community's quality of life and a more sustainable local environment - Explore the relationship between urban planning and the built environment — see how good urban design can make healthier, more attractive communities - Examine the components of a comprehensive urban plan — learn the roles that land use, housing, transportation, natural resources, infrastructure, open space, and public services play in shaping a community - Grasp the challenges that urban planners face — find out how pollution, rapid population growth, economic distress, and recovery from natural disasters affect the quality of life in cities and towns - Be more involved — discover how a better understanding of urban planning can help you create