Top-down and Bottom-up Urban and Regional Planning: Towards a Framework for the Use of Planning Standards

Abstract

<jats:p>The purpose of this paper is to discuss the ways that the top-down and the bottom-up approaches to planning can be combined in the practice of planning standards. In the first part, the paper examines the utilization of planning standards through time, while in the second part it aims to unravel the relationship between the use of planning standards and the top-down as well as the bottom-up planning approach. In the third part, the paper focuses on the limitations of bottom-up approaches, in order to demonstrate that they can only be used in a certain planning scale, leaving all other scales to top-down approaches. Last but not least, the paper proposes a framework for the use of planning standards in a combined top-down and bottom-up planning approach.</jats:p>

Evaluating the Top-Bottom and Bottom-Up Community Development Approaches: Mixed Method Approach as Alternative for Rural Un-Educated Communities in Developing Countries

“…The utilization and adoption of bottom-top developmental approach has to start with an organized and enlightened society / community that has certain needs, problems and expectations, that are different from other communities, and can also identify their needs in terms of priority, being also willing to participate in planning, implementation and monitoring to ensure successful completion and benefit sharing. According to Pissourios (2014) the adoption of bottom-top developmental approach may encounter the problem of legislation if the so called development was not covered in the existing central legislation. In this case it means the local communities has to work with the central law makers to enact laws to cover such rurally designed projects to guide against destruction and other illegalities and mitigations that might arise out of the projects.…”

Allometric scaling, size distribution and pattern formation of natural cities

“…However, the political aspect of planning and the political role of planners had not been emphasized until the 1960s and the early 1970s (Pissourios, 2014). In comparison with political discourses of urban intervention, bottom-up definition of city systems will help us get closer to the essence of human settlements.…”

Land Regularization and Community Development Nexus in Cities of Sub Saharan Africa: A Critical Review with Urban Growth and Development Perspectives

“…In topdown approach the government carry out the urban planning process, own the authority to make the final decisions, and the citizens do not involve from setting goals and execution (Zhang, 2015). Pissourios (2014) noted that top-down approach is effective for some of planning, for example, regional and strategic urban planning, where other approaches cannot work, since it needs professional, knowledge and skills. Liedl (2011) pointed out that the approach favors the decisionmakers as important stakeholders in the implementation process and consider …”

“…However, this approach is not common in these countries. Pissourios (2014) contends that topdown approach is effective for regional and strategic urban planning, and thus it is important to be used on such occasions.…”