Photo Credit: Illustration © Can Stock Photo / kraphix
“Planning” traditionally refers to a hierarchy ranging from comprehensive planning to master planning to site planning. Site planning can take the form of specialty plans like park-site master plans or recreation-feasibility studies, which contain site design and some type of operations and management report. While these site plans are crucial elements that move projects forward, they don’t always communicate or guide the evolution of the site after it comes online.
“So what’s missing?” you might ask. To me, it’s taking a page from the for-profit industry and writing a site plan like a traditional business plan. (I will be clear here and say that I am not advocating for an additional plan in the hierarchy. I am advocating for a shift in thinking or expectation for what information is needed in a site plan.)
Now you might be asking, “Well, how do I do that?” Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.