Read an excerpt from this article below. You can download the full article by using the link at the end of the excerpt.

.. Pluralism. There are few communities that are not being affected by newcomers, with their variety of needs, perceptions, and demands. In some cases, it is the growing non-English speaking population. In others, it is people “escaping” from the city to the country or going the other direction. We have many more lifestyle choices now, and community leaders are expected to respect them. Issues that were never even thought of ten years ago are contentious today. For example, one that has arisen in some urban areas is the controversy over how much parkland to dedicate to allowing dogs to run at large.

Planning is an aspect of civic life that can respond positively to changing conditions, though it may require rethinking about such sacrosanct rules as those governing lot sizes and mixed uses in residential areas. Communities that accept these new challenges may experience some rocky times but generally, they will find themselves enriched.

End of excerpt

— Article continues with a look at:

• Dilution of the “Good Old Boys” Network
• Professionalism of planners.
• Rules! rules! rules!
• Litigation.

Elaine Cogan, founding principal of the Portland, Oregon planning and communications firm of Cogan Owens Cogan, has consulted for more than 36 years with communities undertaking strategic planning and visioning processes. Cogan has been honored for her work on a variety of citizen involvement projects.

Cogan’s 52-page booklet, Now that You’re on Board: How to Survive … and Thrive … as a Planning Commissioner is available to PlannersWeb members to download at no extra charge (sorry, but it is not currently available in print).

You must be logged in or a PlannersWeb member to download this PDF.