ROLE OF OTHER PROFESSIONALS in Town Planning

ROLE OF ARCHITECT
His/her role in the planning can be summarized as follows:
 The architect provides a three-dimensional perspective to two-dimensional plans.
 There exists a strong similarity between the process of designing for space and movement
within and about dwellings and the process of planning, the distribution of land uses and the
communication between them. The architect can assist in this process to ensure better
design outcomes.
 As the finished product or end result of the majority of planning proposal takes the form
of a built environment, it is inevitable that the professional like architect concerned with the
buildings should be represented and consulted for architectural aspects of the buildings.
 The architect is involved in the design, construction and organization of major building
complexes such as hospitals and universities.
 The conservation of historic buildings is an important planning task and the architects can
perform a key role to this end.
 Through his/her skills in developing aesthetically attractive finishes and appearances of
buildings, an architect can assist planner in creating a lively and pleasant image of urban
spaces.

ROLE OF ECONOMIST
 With both economics and town planning pursuing the same study of the allocation of
resources there is inevitably an affinity between them. Economics plays greater emphasis
upon the maximization of efficiency and production whereas town planning seeks to
maximize the welfare of community.
 The economists can contribute in understanding how local economies in urban areas work
and what constrains them.
 Each local planning agency develops an economic growth strategy for implementation
during plan period. Providing key inputs as well as influencing this strategy is a key role for
the economist.
 All projects and programs must be appraised. There are standard techniques for appraisal
including cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, financial appraisal etc. Assisting planners in
carrying out appraisal of projects and programs is another task of economist.
 Most aid interventions are made by public sector. This means that a solid understanding of
the role and justification for involvement in the public sector is essential. Other advisors will
not have this understanding and economist can help in making sound decisions to this end.
 Economists play a very important role in designing the monitoring and evaluation
framework, and in measuring and judging impact of economic policies of development
plans.

ROLE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

 The purpose of landscape architectural endeavors is to organize and implement ideas for
better outdoor environment, based on technical data, various design philosophies, and
functional needs.
 In designing a landscape plan of a site, landscape architect first consider the nature and
purpose of project and the funds available. They analyze the natural element of the site
such climate, soil, slope of the land, drainage and vegetation. They also observe where
sunlight falls on the site at different time of the day & examine the site from various angles
& assess the effect of existing buildings, roads, walkways, utilities on the project.
 Landscape architects create outdoor spaces that are functional, beautiful, rhythmic, and in
harmony with natural environment. Landscape architects work with planners to develop a
comprehensive plan for sites, by using their design and artistic talents and keeping in view
the knowledge of details and logistics of constructions.
 Landscape architect creates detailed reports, sketches models, construction programs for
our projects.
 Increasingly they are becoming involved with the projects in environmental remediation,
such as preservation and restoration.
 Historic landscape preservation & restoration is an important area where landscape
architects are increasingly playing an important role.

ROLE OF SOCIOLOGIST
 Sociologist is a person who is interested in what happens when individuals meet, talk, co-
operate, compete, quarrel, love and hate one anther in their families, economics, political,
education, and recreational activities.
 While living in a society and having very close interaction with the people of society, a
sociologist is well familiar with the demands, needs, and problems of society, so he can well
indicate them to planner and also suggests their solutions.
 The sociologist must consider the needs and interests of minorities in the society and
assess planning proposals in this context
 Sociologist can help in assessing the facilities and social services from public’s point of
view. He can help obtaining and analyzing the view of the general public or suggestions and
problems being faced individually as well as a community.
 The sociologist may also be called in to provide expert advice on the style of living and
housing needs of the different sections of the society which can be helpful to a planner to
plan housing areas in an appropriate
manner.
 Different societies have different traditional as well as cultural values and rules which are
the part of society and cannot be ignored. So it is the duty of the sociologist to understand
these cultural and traditional values and guide the planner accordingly.
 Sociologist can guide planner about the ethnic issues and divisions prevailing in the
society.

ROLE OF SURVEYOR
 Working as an advisor he not only work in general capacity as a surveyor but also
frequently as a specialist quantity, valuation or building surveyor.
 The surveyor’s professional task may involve the monitoring of physical features,
structures and engineering works on above or below surface of earth,
 Another task of the surveyor is the determination of the position of the boundaries of
public or private land including national and international boundaries and registration of
those lands with appropriate authorities.
 As a town planning scheme must guide the development of the area to which it applies,
success can only be expected if it is based on a thorough
survey and understanding of all existing conditions. Therefore, surveyors can help in
conducting survey in comprehensive manner.
 Surveyors can contribute in the planning process to a great extent through their expertise
in dealing with large number of data collection techniques.
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