Mastering the art of master planning

Posted on: 28 August, 2024

Could master planning help us mitigate climate change and combat increasing urbanisation, overpopulation and urban sprawl?

Despite accounting for less than 2% of the Earth’s surface area, cities are currently home to 56% of the world’s population (4.4 billion people) and this is expected to grow by another 2.5 billion people by 2050. The result is that cities are one of the biggest contributors to climate change, consuming 78% of the world’s energy and producing more than 60% of greenhouse gas emissions.

As urbanisation and urban sprawl continue to grow, both local and global environments are being affected; these are areas of high pollution, low biodiversity and a lack of natural habitats. Not only this, but urban environments are negatively impacting the health and well-being of residents too.

So what can be done to tackle this? Urban planning is going to be crucial for mitigating and adapting the urban landscapes of the future. More specifically, these complex systems require a carefully thought out, system-based approach to manage pollution, resources and waste amongst other key issues. That’s where master planning comes in.

What is master planning?

Master planning is a form of comprehensive and long-term urban planning that provides a structured framework for the development and growth of a town or city. This plan will encompass a broad range of factors, including physical, social, economic and environmental aspects, and is typically set out over a timeframe of 10 to 15 years. Though the plans are not set in stone, they’re intended to give a high-level perspective of growth for the given area, involving all those in the community as well as key stakeholders.

These plans are important because they set out a design concept that helps to manage growth and urban sprawl more economically and sustainably. This is better for people and the planet and ensures orderly development of buildings and infrastructure that will meet future social, economic and environmental needs.

How does master planning work?

It’s worth noting that master plans are essentially aspirational in the early stages – they’re an outline and rough guide on what could happen and what’s possible in a particular area. However, circumstances may change and over time, these plans may need to be adjusted accordingly.

That said, most master plans will serve the same function. They work by integrating several key elements within one proposed plan, and this might include land use, infrastructure, transportation, utilities, public services, aesthetics and of course, the environment.

There are a few key stages when developing and implementing a master plan. These are engaging with the community to gather their feedback and analysing data relating to local finances, demographics, population, pollution and other environmental factors.

This information is then used to identify potential work or development in that area and narrow this down to choose the most important projects and the best use of land and resources.

The benefits of master planning

Here are some of the key benefits of master planning include:

1. Encouraging and supporting investment

Master plans are a useful tool for attracting stakeholders and investors. They provide evidence of carefully thought-out plans and budgets, allowing potential investors to feel more secure and to see the value they can add to a town or city.

This, in turn, can help to set realistic and achievable timelines for the project and become a valuable resource for cost control throughout the project.

2. Mitigating risks and taking positive steps forward

A master plan also makes it possible to identify and manage potential risks throughout the project lifecycle.

Understanding possible risks as early as possible and taking positive steps to mitigate these can help to avoid unforeseen events or disruptions. This ensures every stage or project runs as smoothly as possible.

3. Getting the local community involved

Getting local people involved in the planning process helps to foster a sense of community and collaboration. By asking for feedback from residents and getting them engaged in the planning process, master planning can lead to a stronger and healthier community, whilst simultaneously enhancing the liveability in that area.

Master plans can also help to preserve a town or city’s unique character, allowing those who live there to share the things they like and dislike the most about the current environment and economy.

4. Prioritising plans and projects based on public need 

A big part of mastering planning is setting out which areas of the community, amenities and environment need the most help. That way, these areas can be prioritised accordingly. For example, recognising the need for better public transport and making this a top priority by introducing more walkways, cycle paths, buses, etc.

5. Leading to better and more consistent decision-making

A master plan also offers a point of reference for the various town boards, committees and stakeholders working on these projects and aids in their decision-making processes.

By enabling everyone to work on the same page, master plans unite long and short-term decision-making, which means that each project is more likely to come to fruition and to happen in a predictable and timely manner.

6. Reducing urban sprawl and environmental issues

Having a clear master plan in place can help to tackle some of the environmental issues that are caused by urbanisation and the built environment. In fact, these plans can stop the uncontrolled, unplanned or unrestricted spreading of people and properties that results in urban sprawl.

This can help to combat climate change and environmental issues in the future, such as air and water pollution and waste production.

Learn more: How can we deal with urban sprawl?

Challenges of implementing master planning

Despite there being a wide range of benefits to implementing the master planning process, it isn’t always as straightforward as writing a plan and getting started on the project. There are some disadvantages and challenges that arise when implementing these plans:

• Sometimes, these plans can be inflexible and with too many changes in circumstance, might need to be completely re-written or even abandoned
• It can be expensive to create these plans, particularly when sourcing community input and relevant data
• In some cases, these plans will simply sit on a shelf and gather dust as they don’t receive further funding or recognition
• Sometimes there’s a disconnect between planning and ideas with budget or investment
• A lack of coordination from key agencies, contractors or stakeholders can make actioning these projects difficult
• There can also be unrealistic planning standards, rules and regulations to contend with
• Planners may face limited capacity and resources to enforce these plans and make them a reality
• Changes in political parties in the local area can result in a shift of focus or plans being abandoned altogether

Final thoughts

Despite the challenges that come with master planning, it’s clear that this method is becoming increasingly important in the face of climate change and urban sprawl.

By generating detailed master plans, governing bodies and stakeholders can see a huge number of benefits; from community engagement and tackling environmental issues to increased investment and better decision-making for the development and growth of the city.

Sure, master planning takes time, resources and collaboration, but it’s vital for adapting the urban landscapes of the future and tackling bigger issues like climate change and urban sprawl.

Urban planning is an exciting field that has a pivotal role in the design and function of our cities and communities. If you want to have a part in helping the built environment realise a sustainable future, UCEM’s MSc Urban Planning will give you the knowledge, skills and technical understanding you need.

Find out more: MSc Urban Planning – University College of Estate Management