World Town Planning Day is observed annually on November 8. This day was set aside to commemorate the important role planning and structuring play in the creation of our communities. Town planning is one of the most important parts of creating our organized, livable communities, and this act gained full recognition when this day was founded in 1949 by late professor Carlos Maria della Paolera. World Town Planning Day also goes by the name “World Urbanism Day.” The holiday seeks to encourage community planning by paying heed to environmental factors involved in progressing a town.
History of World Town Planning Day
Take a few moments to think about the area you live in. Think about how easy it is to locate and navigate to your office, favorite grocery store, or even your favorite bar. That ease would not have been possible without the application of town planning. Urban or Town planning is the most important process that goes into the development of any urban, suburban, or rural area. It determines how we seamlessly work, live, and play in any given environment. It is a concept that has been in existence for as long as the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations and has positively evolved.In more technical terms, town planning refers to the technical processes that focus on the design, development, and use of infrastructure put in place when setting up a community. This planning focuses on factors like accessibility, transportation, communication, and distribution networks by applying knowledge from different areas of life such as engineering, architecture, politics, and even human psychology. The idea of a planned out urban area can be traced back to as far as civilizations found in the third millennium B.C with Greek city-states centering on grid-like plans for military defenses and public convenience.From the 15th century, more thought was being put into urban planning, and by the 20th century the concerns of the general public and the working man became a priority, and urban planning took on a more central approach. The organization for World Urbanism Day or World Town Planning Day was founded by the late Professor Carlos Maria della Paolera in 1949, as a bid to look at urban planning from a global approach and to promote its role in creating livable communities. This holiday is globally recognized by over 30 countries and four continents and is celebrated on November 8 worldwide.
World Town Planning Day timeline
There is more theoretical thought being discussed and put into architecture and urban planning.
The city of Paris is redesigned into a more modern capital with wider roads and boulevards.
The Town and Country Planning Association is established in Britain.
Modernism, uniformity, individualism, and diversity become the main focus of urban development.
World Town Planning Day FAQs
What jobs are available in urban planning?
A general mistake made by a lot of people is believing that individuals involved in urban planning are just that, urban planners. However, there are many career paths one can choose from when going down this road professionally. Some of them are; code enforcement planners, city planners, community development planners, environmental and natural resources planners, and historic preservation planners, among many others.
Who is the father of urban planning?
John Friedmann was a professor and world-renown urban theorist and was considered the Father of Urban Planning. He was born on April 16, 1926, and passed away on June 12, 2017.
When was the first urban planning conference?
The first urban planning conference in America was held in New York in 1898.
World Town Planning Day Activities
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Attend an event
Planning associations across the world organize different kinds of events on this day to promote the cause. These events are highly educational, and help the public understand more about the urban planning concept. Find an event that is happening closest to you and attend it to broaden your knowledge of urban planning.
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Spread awareness
The main goal of World Town Planning Day is to raise awareness of its importance on a global scale. Join the cause by spreading information across your socials. Use the hashtags #WorldUrbanismDay, #WTPD, or #WorldTownPlanningDay when making your posts to reach more relevant people.
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Attend the online conference
There is an online conference that is organized each year on this date. It is the perfect option for those who cannot attend live events. Learn more details about it online, and see how you can join in and be a part of it. Don’t keep this information to yourself, but instead share it with loved ones who may also be interested.
5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Urban Planning
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It accommodates growth
The reason cities seem to expand so well with an increase in population is often because the room for it was laid out in the overall urban plan.
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It keeps you safe from disasters
Predicting possible disasters is an important concept in the urban planning process.
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Europeans have a better plan
European towns were designed to be pedestrian-friendly which makes everything closer and easier to navigate.
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Health is a priority
Urban planners are mandated to follow World Health Organization guidelines when planning.
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Urban squares are a hit
Urban planners often include central squares in planning processes in a fit to bring people together by creating a “one-stop go to.”
Why We Love World Town Planning Day
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It is a worldwide movement
World Town Planning Day highlights the importance of adequate urban planning, not just for communities but the world at large. As the population increases every day, it is essential to put proper planning methods in place to make room for adequate expansion.
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It appreciates the contribution of urban planning
This day does not only raise awareness of the importance of urban planning but also highlights the amazing contribution of urban planners in our communities so far. This gives us an understanding of the important contributions sound planning has made to the quality of our lives so far.
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It educates on the importance of proper planning
As we raise awareness of the need for urban planning on this day, we also get a deeper understanding of why it is so important in the first place. This broadens the knowledge of civilians, and also relevant bodies to understand this very important concept.
World Town Planning Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | November 8 | Tuesday |
| 2023 | November 8 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | November 8 | Friday |
| 2025 | November 8 | Saturday |
| 2026 | November 8 | Sunday |
