This best seller will help both laymen and aspiring professionals understand the basics of planning. Smith explains
the different roles of planning commissioners and professionals. He examines topics such as the master plan, capital
improvement programs, zoning, and the regulation of land subdivision. His sense of humor is manifested in the titles
of some of the chapters: "I may be perfect, but I still need advice" and "Don't confuse me with
the facts � my mind's all made up." Throughout, he offers a highly personal, insider's account of the real
world of planning. This book is available for $25.00 in quantities of ten or more.
Table of Contents
Foreword
1. The reasons for planning
If you dance, you gotta pay the piper � A penny saved is a penny earned � The land of plenty � with so much
need � There is no such thing as the "Right of Exploitation"
2. The development of planning
Evolution is inescapable � Where there is muck, you can always find a rake � As Topsy grew, so did zoning �
The great national "shell game" � Where are we now? � National Affordable Housing Act of 1991
3. The planning process
Common concept: That's the ticket! � I know you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize
that what you heard is not what I meant � Definition defines direction � Now let's put Humpty Dumpty together �
A rose by any other name � It's you and me together, baby
4. The planning commission
Seek advice and ye shall find it � Next week we've got to get organized � Can you trust a politician? � You've
gotta start somewhere � First, set the stage � Putting the available tools to work � Getting along with others
takes planning, too.
5. The master plan
Understanding is not always easy � Definitions revisited � The ingredients determine the quality of the product
� Can growth management be managed? � Now that we know all this, how do we do it? � Traditional versus innovation
� What to do until the baby arrives � Now, let's make it legal � How legal can a plan get? � Concurrent controversy
� There are plans and then there are plans that work
6. The relationship of zoning to planning
How it all got started � If you're going to do it, you ought to know why � Is zoning un-American? � Even zoning
needs planning � An appealing approach � What makes it tick? � Follow the yellow brick road
7. The regulation of land subdivision
The pieces should fit together � Beware of the "shadow governments" � If this is going to fly: Know
the controls � Concrete consolidation consideration � Controls make dollars and sense � If the pieces fit together,
it will work
8. The capital improvements program
Programming public funds pays off � Don't get carried away on the "ratable bandwagon" � Capital programming
portends people participation � Large or small cities, the idea works
9. The care and feeding of planning professionals
And the Lord said, "Let there be planners" � Look, Ma, I'm a professional � Help wanted: Full or part-time
� Professional personnel preferred � There is some good and some bad in all of us � The day of judgment must come
for all � We're all in this together
10. Planning and the school board
As the twig is bent, so shall it grow � Don't tread on me (or my kingdom)! � Why are we too soon old and too
late smart? � Let's take an aspirin � Maybe it will go away � Don't confuse me with facts � my mind's all made
up
11. Planning and other community development functions
Urban renewal of "urban removal" � Meanwhile back at bulldozer headquarters � Other players in the
game � It's the impact that matters � A pioneering attempt
12. The citizen and planning action
Knowing what's happening means that we care � Assistance � ask and ye shall receive � Community relations: True
democracy � It's not much of a party if nobody comes � I may be perfect, but I still need advice Now listen here,
you bureaucrat � Everybody ought to get into the act
13. Some things to think about
Managing growth � New techniques for managing growth � Other examples of growth management techniques � Two
different approaches that work The taking dilemma � New federal acts of note � The Clean Air Act Amendments of
1990 (CAAA) � The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) � Don't SLAPP me or I'll SLAPP
back � Fearful facts for the future
