Rules For Planners to Live By

By Tom Dinell, FAICP

October 2023

Whether approaching the challenges of addressing a town destroyed by fire or looking at the revamping of a single city block or developing a 50 year plan, these rules will help guide the Planner’s approach.

1. If someone has all the answers, it is a sure bet that he or she does not.

There are usually alternatives to be considered when preparing a plan. What problem or problems are you seeking to address? What are the alternative approaches you can take? The person who has all the answers seldom considers alternatives. There is a difference between having the one solution to a problem and seeking a community-based resolution to that problem.

2. Be aware of the Law of Unintended Consequences.

Almost any action that is taken will have unintended consequences. That is, consequences that are not identified in the earlier stages of planning. This will even be true when one thinks that they have thoroughly considered all the potential consequences. Think of the Honolulu Rail line. This is just a caution to the Planner to be alert to the fact that consequences will arise that no one has identified ahead of time.

3. When doing the macro, keep an eye on the micro;

When doing the micro, keep an eye on the macro.

There may be a macro decision to build a bypass road. The new road is going to displace a number of homeowners. It is equally important to look at the impact of displacement on each of these families and how they can be assisted to deal with their new situation. That is why it is important for the Planner to focus on both the macro and the micro impacts of the action that is being proposed.

4. Stop. Look. Listen.

Stop. Look. Listen. Sounds so simple and is so frequently ignored by planners. A Planner initiating a proposal may stop to see who it impacts and may look at the consequences for the community, but does the Planner listen to the community? Listening is one of the most underrated yet critical talents for a Planner to have. Conflict after conflict might be avoided if only the Planner listened to those affected by the planned proposal early on.

5. Planning only makes sense if you have some idea of the desired outcome and why it is desirable and for whom.

It seems so obvious, but planning only makes sense if one has some idea of the desired outcome. Who is going to benefit? Who is going to be adversely impacted? What are the social costs? Identifying the groups early on allows one to minimize costs imposed on some people or interests.

6. Planning does not occur in a vacuum.

Life does not stop just because a plan is being proposed and implemented. There are multiple ongoing processes that may well affect the environment, which the plan is intended to modify. There are tools, especially evaluation, which can help the Planner analyze the impact of those changes and propose course corrections as the plan is being implemented. What is the cumulative impact of multiple high-rise structures on the initial plan to revive Kakaako?

7. Be culturally sensitive.

We planners claim to be culturally sensitive, but our actions are all too often otherwise. We have much to learn from the Hawaiians and other indigenous cultures. How much do we really know about Hawaiian cultural norms and practices? Take time to listen, study, and learn. This applies to all the multiple indigenous cultures impacted by our plans. All too often this is a neglected aspect of planning.

8. Be environmentally conscious.

We tend to claim we are environmentally conscious when implementing a particular plan, but the consequences may tell a different story. When we approve permits for a development, are we able to explain where the water that will no longer be absorbed into the ground, will go? Have we also calculated the impact of more concrete surfaces on the daily climate? Have we really considered the role that trees and other greenery can play in mitigating some of the negative impacts of the new hard surfaces? Are the mitigating factors an integral part of the plan or just an afterthought?

9. Practice compassion.

Probably one of the most important practices for a planner is to use compassion toward people who will be impacted by one’s plan. The outspoken opponent to what one may be proposing is a fellow human being, not an enemy to be plowed down. Someone’s critical concern may be food for their family and not the resurfacing of local roads. Take the time to understand what is important to other people and treat the people you are impacting with compassion. Those who feel heard may become proponents of planning projects in the future. Public information meetings with fixed agendas and schedules are a killer of compassion.

10. Reflect on what makes the city humane.

It is not just skyscrapers or fancy amenities that make a city what it is. It’s also the equitable distribution of shady walks, the dog parks, the meeting places, safe and attractive playground equipment in parks, and outdoor dining. In short, the public spaces that allow for serendipitous human interaction that are critical in making a city humane.

11. Build consensus.

The problem with taking time to build consensus is that it slows down the planning process. Yet building consensus is critical. The final outcomes are more likely to be advantageous when the plans are owned by those impacted rather than having predetermined outcomes handed down by the powers that be.

12. Weave a Diverse Web.

Be inclusive. A plan is much more effective when it represents the thinking of multiple constituencies than one that is a product of a single interest group. Were the neighborhood shopkeepers included? Were the single parents caring for several children consulted? Was the planner listening as the kūpuna shared their insights? Was there input from recent immigrants? And there are so many others.

13. Be passionate about your work and have fun.

Nothing is worse than the Planner who is simply putting in hours at work, but not really caring about his/her responsibilities to the community. Planning provides the opportunity to make life better. It is an opportunity that calls for commitment on the Planner’s part. Planning is a mission, a calling, not just a job. The last imperative is to enjoy what one is doing and having fun doing it. Doing so will make one a better Planner and a better person.

Over time, what we know grows, as there are always new questions, new ideas, new issues, and new technologies. If one is stuck holding only to what they know, one is stuck. The examples used to illustrate these rules will certainly change over time, and even the rules may be modified.

Background

Tom Dinell’s efforts as a planning practitioner, researcher, and educator have enriched Hawaii’s communities and our profession. As a practitioner, Tom has led and contributed to numerous planning initiatives. He founded Trees for Honolulu’s Future, which is comprised of planners and urban forestry professionals and enthusiasts. The organization focuses on the development of Honolulu’s urban tree canopy as a means of keeping Honolulu livable in the face of climate change. He currently serves on its board of directors. As a researcher, Tom has served as the principal investigator on planning studies such as the Coastal Zone Management Project, which was conducted for the State of Hawai‘i, and the Hewlett-funded Dispute Resolution Project. As an educator, Tom has trained generations of Hawaii’s planners by founding and leading UH Mānoa’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Tom is presently an Emeritus Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Tom’s passion and enthusiasm continues to inspire students and practicing professionals on planning’s capacity to improve Hawaiʻi.

Tom can be reached at dinellt580@gmail.com