Interview with Mia Lehrer on Revitalizing Communities
via thedirt.asla.org
Planners sometimes, when sufficiently removed from those they serve, forget in the greater scheme of things - that at the end of the day communities are what that matters. In this excellent interview, Mia Lehrer discuses issues of sustainability, community planning, and the relationships needed to do so. The notion of large scale planning as canvases for future planners is an intriguing notion. The ability to let go of finer details is sometimes lost in planners, whom can boarder on the compulsive when it comes to details. Lehrer’s assertion that in doing so allows flexibility appeals to the organic growth, ad-hocist in me.
Lehrer’s discussion on community participation is a must read. She succinctly highlights the issue of vertical top-down decision making as well as some good advice for community planners (of course, spatial planners or master planners can equally apply it).
“it’s disingenuous to then leave the workshop and lead them to believe they’re going to be able to get everything they ask for. It’s about being good listeners because that’s part of what we do, but it’s also about being clear about what the expectations should be and give them tools to succeed.”
The point on creating a constituency that is vested in the betterment of their community nails it in the head for me the role of advocacy as well as community development.
Finally, I think she makes a good argument for planners, particularly those that are active in minority communities to familiarize themselves with the customs if not language. Overall a jolly good read.
