It's not very often that anyone in the planning profession gets bored.
That's according to urban planner Don Granger. He attributes the lack
of tedium to the diversity of work involved in planning.
"There's a never-ending variety of things happening when you're
dealing with and affecting the future," says Granger.
Bob Burgess agrees. He is presently working as a consultant on short-term
contracts that can take anywhere from one week to four months to complete.
He juggles these private and government jobs with a long-term contract in
which he serves as a social planner.
Not only are the jobs varied, but the elements involved are equally as
diverse. An urban planner must consider what the people want, what the land
can accommodate, what policies are required and how to make it all happen.
Granger finds the task of pulling all these elements together quite exciting.
"Ultimately, you are advancing society in terms of where it wants to be
in the future," he explains.
"If you understand what society wants and what the policies are, you have
the opportunity to incorporate those policies into the design to create a
working community," says Granger. "There is a great feeling of accomplishment."
Urban planning, then, has to do with leading a community where it wants
to go. Burgess points out an important consideration here.
"How do we involve the public in making such decisions?" he asks.
If this sounds a little like politics to you, you won't be surprised
to know that Granger eventually found himself on the other side of the council
table.
"Planning is a good grounding for politics," agrees Granger. In fact, he
went on to become a mayor and then a regional councilor. That experience gave
Granger a taste of dealing with the public concerning growth and development
issues.
"Planning as a profession is very closely related to politics and politicians
dealing with change. It's been a real pleasure experiencing that from
both sides," says Granger. He is now a professor of planning.
Working with his planning technician students, Granger says he had a most
fulfilling experience in planning the town of Penetanguishene. One neighborhood
was entirely designed by the students.
Over the years, Granger and his students have visited the town to work
on new projects and see how the old ones are coming along. He says he and
the students have developed a close, positive relationship with the town.
For Granger, it is a good feeling to know that he has had a hand in shaping
and guiding the town's development.
For Elizabeth Miller, an urban planner, working with the people of a community
is the most enjoyable part of being a planner.
"You're trying to take into account the conflicting needs of people
in the town," she says. "The ability to communicate your ideas
and active listening are two very important parts of being a planner."
To Miller, the city is a living thing. "It's not static. If you poke
it, there will be a reaction," she says. It makes her work both exciting and
challenging.
Though diversity may be the keyword in this career, for Granger, Burgess
and Miller, urban planning is always about crafting the future of communities.