Planning Process: Master Plan

As an urban planning student master plans can sometime appear ambiguous in their intent and brief and content and strategy. A lack of clarity in regards to master plans can also be amplified by the varying roles and values individual master plans hold within their respective planning jurisdictions. However master plans maintain immense value especially if the master plan is effectively presented and their specific role within the planning process in understood. Haar (1955) in the 'The Master Plan, an Impermanent Constitution' ostensibly explores the concept of a master plan as it pertains to the planner and stakeholders.

Haar initially makes note that master plans have different meaning in different scenarios as are it subsequent effects. Haar then explains the role of master plans to the planner: 1)"Source of information": Preliminary/background that illuminate the current state of the city or region. Such information is vital given that it should form the rational and empirical bases for subsequent decisions 2) "A program for correction": Identifying attenuated areas and envisaging augmenting solutions  3) "A estimate of the future": Encompassing the long term and the preempting future change. 4) "Indicator of Goals": Objectives congruent with community wan:ts/needs after appropriate public consultations and discussions. 5) "Technique for Coordination"; A holistic coordination and mediation between the interrelated  and various physical  attributes. 6) "Device for stimulating public interest and responsibility": Education and information for all relevant at stake parties, planners may learn additional and even crucial information during the discovery period of forming the master plan.

Image: Cover of the Canberra 2004 City West Master Plan Document.