expression

urban planning

designing the layout and growth of cities

In more detail

the activity of designing and organizing the development of cities and towns, including decisions about where to build roads, houses, businesses, and public spaces

Examples

Urban planning helps create livable cities with good transportation and parks.

How to use urban planning

Urban planning is a professional and administrative field concerned with coordinating the physical, social, and economic development of cities and towns. It is used in formal, professional, and academic contexts, and tends to be more technical and systemic than the synonymous 'urban design,' which may emphasize aesthetic aspects more heavily.

Common phrases

urban planning expert
urban planning policies
urban planning department
sustainable urban planning
urban planning principles
urban planning initiatives

Synonyms

city planning · town planning · urban design · municipal development · city development

Word family

urban planner · urban planning (noun phrase) · urbanize · urbanization

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse urban planning with urban design; urban planning is the broader process of strategic organization and policy-making, while urban design focuses more specifically on the physical form and aesthetics of spaces.

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