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City planning is a complicated process. One of the most complex aspects of city planning is predicting future trends that could affect a wide range of things like infrastructure, tax revenue and city services. Overall, to be an effective city planner, you must indeed plan out years and even decades ahead. While some cities are shrinking in population, many more cities are in fact growing steadily. Those in office or appointed to positions in the city hall must begin planning for this growth well before it reaches its apex.
Below are a few strategies for effectively planning for increased growth.
Consider Environmental Sustainability
One thing that increased city growth can place an undue burden on is the greater environment. Overall, you need to think of ways that expansion can happen in an environmentally sustainable fashion. While forests can be cleared to zone new areas for residential neighborhoods, you are also stealing from the overall community that benefits from nature being available to them and their families. Protect wildlife and plant life when possible and consider ways to recycle space that has already been developed for other purposes.
Use the Right Software Solutions
Cutting edge software can also play a big part in planning for the increasing population of a city. Consider acquiring city management software that can allow you to analyze data regarding all facets of your city including roads, taxes, city programs, the police force, and more. Also, consider investing in smart city software that can allow you to design new facilities and complexes for your growing metropolis. There’s a lot that software can do, and you should take full advantage of it.
Plan in Terms of Employment
A growing population is actually not a good thing if the local economy can’t sustain those new citizens in regard to providing them with well-playing jobs. This will be detrimental for the quality of life in your city and bad for the city government’s finances too as the cost of city services balloon without the equivalent increase in tax revenue. Overall, always consider the employment options available to future populations when planning. Expand your industrial and business districts in regard to employment options and offer incentives for employers to move into your community.
Expand City Services
A growing population also means an increased need for city services. You, for example, may need to expand your police force, fire department and sanitation department to keep up with the increased demand for those services. You may have to purchase more buses to provide transportation. Even the library may need to expand if the growth is explosive enough. Planning for such increases in spending should begin very early. Being able to balance the budget while attending to the needs of a growing population is difficult. However, it can be accomplished with the right amount of attention and number crunching.
Overall, a growing city is a great opportunity for city planners. You have the opportunity to help evolve your city in a positive direction that increases your statue as a community while providing more to your residents. Still, there are many challenges to overcome. Make sure to plan for all these challenges well before they manifest in full.
By Rachelle Wilber
who is a freelance writer and residing in San Diego, California area. Rachelle finds an interest in all topics and have Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies.
Member since September, 2018
View all the articles of Rachelle Wilber.
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