Author Profile

Veronica Herrera Associate Professor of Urban Planning in the Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California, Los Angeles. She studied the political economy of development and environmental governance, with a focus on cities, civil society, and Latin America. Her book, Slow Harms and Citizen Action: Environmental Degradation in Latin American Cities, examines environmental justice movements surrounding river pollution in the capital regions of Lima, Bogotá and Buenos Aires (Oxford University Press, 2024). Her book, Water and Politics: Clientelism and Reform in Mexico (University of Michigan Press, 2017), looks at the politics of public services provision in Mexican cities. Both titles received the Dennis Judd Best Book Award from the Urban and Local Politics Section of the American Political Science Association. Before joining the faculty at UCLA, she was a professor of Political Science at the University of Connecticut. She holds a B.A. from Swarthmore College (2003) and a PhD from UC Berkeley (2011).

About The Book

Urban Planning and Policy provides an in-depth exploration of urban policy development and urban planning, focusing on the theories, strategies, and practices that guide the growth and development of urban areas. This critical book uncovers and celebrates this imagination and its creative potential. It explores the key themes and driving questions in the circulation of planning ideas and methods over time and across spaces, identifying the contrasts and commonalities between urban planning systems and cultures. It argues that the tools for inclusive urban planning are today, more than ever, not solely restricted to the hands of planning bodies, but are distributed across citizens, a variety of organizations (what Phelps calls ‘clubs’) and states. As a result, the book sets the ground for the new arrangements between these groups and actors which will be central to the future of urban planning. By unsettling standard accounts, this book compels us towards more critical and creative thinking to ensure that the imagination, wisdom and methods of urban planning are mobilized towards achieving the aspiration of shaping better places. The book deals with the principles of urban and regional planning with special emphasis on practical applications. The first part of the book explains various aspects of urban and regional planning. The second part deals with case studies pertaining to town planning. Metropolitan planning and regional planning and process. A special feature of the book is the description of ancient town planning and the introduction of a separate chapter dealing with space standards for ready reference by planners and other persons in the field.

Table of Contents

Pr
eface V
1. Introduction to Urban Planning and Policy 1–52
1.1 Definition and Scope of Urban Planning
1.2 Historical Evolution of Urban Development
1.3 Key Theories in Urban Policy Making
2. Urban Government and Institutions 53–95
2.1 Defining Urban Government
2.2 Local Government and City Management
2.3 Planning Agencies and Departments
2.4 Role of Community Boards and Stakeholders
2.5 Services Provided by Urban Government
3. Land Use Zoning 96–164
3.1 Principles of Land Use Zoning
3.2 Zoning and Land Use Regulations
3.3 Land Use Planning
3.4 Urban Growth and Development
3.5 Residential Land Use
3.6 Commercial and Industrial Land Use
3.7 Mixed Use Development
3.8 Open Space and Recreation
3.9 Transportation and Environmental Considerations
3.10 Legal and Ethical Issues
Contents
4. Transportation Planning 165–191
4.1 Urban Transportation Challenges
4.2 Transportation Modes
4.3 Transportation Demand Analysis
4.4 Public Transit Planning
4.5 Traffic Safety and Accident Analysis
4.6 Transport Funding and Finance
4.7 Transport Regulations
5. Housing and Community Development 192–214
5.1 Affordable Housing Policies
5.2 Community Development Strategies
5.3 Gentrification and Housing Policy
5.4 Housing Market Analysis
5.5 Housing Quality and Safety Regulations
5.6 Homelessness and Supportive Housing
6. Environmental Sustainability Planning 215–250
6.1 Urban Sustainability and Green Infrastructure
6.2 Sustainable Urban Design and Architecture
6.3 Sustainable Transportation and Mobility
6.4 Water Management and Conservation
6.5 Waste Management and Recycling
6.6 Environmental Health and Air Quality
6.7 Resilient Infrastructure
6.8 Environmental Policy and Regulation
7. Economic Development and Revitalisation 251–283
7.1 Strategies for Urban Economic Growth
7.2 Funding and Financing of Urban Economic Development
7.3 Industrial and Commercial Development
7.4 Workforce Development
7.5 Real Estate Development And Redevelopment
7.6 Public Private Partnerships
Bibliography 284–294
Index 295–298