Develop Your Business Brain

Most urban dwellers underestimate the benefits of town planning. However, the activity goes a long way in ensuring urban dwellers live comfortably and enjoy various amenities. Below is an extract detailing the town planning concept and why it is essential when designing modern cities. 

Disaster Risk 

Disasters such as fires, floods and storms threaten the town dwellers. Therefore, the urban planner must pull all stops to mitigate the town against the effects of these disasters. For instance, if the area is prone to flooding, it should have a reliable and high-quality stormwater drainage system. Moreover, the designers could restrict people from building on the floodplains. Buildings should also have reinforced foundations and walls. Sealants around the doors will prevent flood waters from entering the buildings. 

Population Versus Amenities 

How many people can live in the town? The urban planner considers population growth as they design the area. For instance, while the government might not afford to install modern transport infrastructures such as cable cars and underground train networks, the planner must leave an allowance to ensure these amenities can be installed in the future. On the other hand, the roads should be wide enough to ensure the current roads can be expanded into highways to suit the needs of the future population. 

Sustainability 

Sustainability is an emerging issue in urban planning and design. Typically, the town design must incorporate sustainability to reduce the adverse effects of pollution and resource wastage. For instance, an effective mass transport system would encourage residents to use public transport instead of their vehicles. Moreover, the designer must incorporate green spaces such as parks and forests to absorb carbon dioxide and purify the air. The designer could also consider water recycling facilities to reduce water wastage. For instance, recycled water could be used for irrigation or to clean public spaces. 

Development 

The urban planner must consider development when designing the town. For instance, where will industries be located? What is the best location for the central business district? Typically, the planner zones the area to control development and prevent the land from depreciating. However, the designer must consider the functionality of these zones. For instance, while residents could be prohibited from building commercial premises in residential zones, the areas should have buffer zones that allow mixed development. This way, residents have access to essential amenities such as banks and shopping malls. 

When planning a town, designers must consider disasters, the population, sustainability and development.