The Community
Planning Handbook
How people can shape their cities, town and villages in any part of the world.

by Nick Wates
Published by Earthscan Publications Limited, 2000
 
Growing numbers of residents are getting involved with professionals in shaping their local environment, and there is now a powerful menu of tools available, from design workshops to electronic maps. The Community Planning Handbook is the essential starting point for all those involved – planners  authorities, architects and other practitioners, community workers, students and local residents. It features an accessible how-to-do-it style, best practice information on effective methods, and international scope and relevance. Tips, checklists and sample documents help readers to get started quickly, learn from others’ experience and to select the approach best suited to their situation. The glossary, bibliography and contact details provide quick access to further information and support

“A very clear, well organized and extremely useful book for those who are or who ought to be promoting democratic participation in shaping the future of our communities.”
J Gary Lawrence, President, Sustainable Strategies & Solutions, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA

“In the global, cyberspace age, government and business need communities as much as communities need them. Nick Wates’ timely book is essential reading for ordinary people and professionals who believe that the opportunities being thrown up by this new balance are there for the taking”
Mark Hepworth, Director, The Local Futures Group, London, UK


Chinese edition

“This excellent work shows an absolute understanding of the issues of consultation and participation. Many dabble without this understanding.”
Peter Richards, Deicke Richards Architects, Australia.

“This is the best practical guide to running a community planning event, and a must for community groups and councils both in the UK and abroad”
 Roger Evans, Chairman, Urban Design Group, UK

“The layout brings a new standard of design excellence to the art of communication in this field. I highly recommend it as a practical tool for communities and their activists. It has a truly international perspective.”
 Michael Parkes, Expert on Urban Policy to the European Commission, Directorate General Development, Brussels, Belgium

“The clear and concise copy as well as the very appealing graphic formatting of the material make this an excellent handbook which will be useful to so many different users in so many ways.”
 Tony Costello, Professor of Architecture, Ball State University, USA

“An invaluable guide in helping you choose and plan the participatory events and structures to meet your needs.”
John Thompson, architect and community planner

"A graphically pleasing publication in simple language that will get across effectively to communities."
Vinay D. Lall, Director, Society for Development Studies, New Delhi, India

“An excellent book that will have a host of valuable applications – with sufficient detail for practitioners, researchers, planners and policy makers. It is an important and timely contribution.”
Jules Pretty, Director, Centre for Environment and Society, University of Essex