Planning sustainable cities : policy directions : global report on human settlements 2009 / United Nations Human Settlements Programme.

Also freely available online.

This publication assesses the effectiveness of urban planning as a tool for dealing with the unprecedented challenges facing 21st-century cities and for enhancing sustainable urbanization. There is now a realization that, in many parts of the world, urban planning systems have changed very little and are often contributors to urban problems rather than functioning as tools for human and environmental improvement. Against this background, the global report's central argument is that, in most parts of the world, current approaches to planning must change and that a new role for urban planning in sustainable urban development has to be found.--Publisher's description.

Urban challenges and the need to revisit urban planning -- Understanding the diversity of urban contexts -- The emergence and spread of contemporary urban planning -- The institutional and regulatory framework for planning -- Planning, participation and politics -- Bridging the green and brown agendas -- Planning and informality -- Planning, spatial structure or cities and provision of infrastructure -- The monitoring and evaluation of urban plans -- Planning education -- Towards a new roles for urban planning.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 83-84).

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