Plan It Autodesk

Top Academic Planning Programs

Before discussing the report identifying the leading programs around the US in planning I would like to make everyone aware of an incredible technology innovation that has tremendous application for the creative design aspect of land planning. Jeff Han at NYU (he is also involved with the iPhone) is developing a multi touch sensitive platform that can only be described as incredible. Be sure to check this out: http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=j_han

Now onto academia. In a recent report entitled DesignIntelligence, published by Greenway Communications LLC for the Design Futures Council they rank Americas top architecture and design programs, including landscape architecture. To obtain a copy visit: http://www.di.net/

Rather than focus on the actual ranking of the top programs, which you can obtain by purchasing a copy of the report, I was very interested to learn that a realignment is underway to bring academia and professional practice closer together. As part of this process the report identifies advanced technology as playing an increasingly important role in the programs of the leading institutions.

As we have discussed before the younger generation is not going to have to be convinced to use technology they are going to expect it.

Next Time - Land Planning Scenarios

Digital Sketching Contd.

Happy New Year!!! I wonder what the big news in the world of land planning is going to be this year. Certainly sustainability is going to continue to gain momentum as it all begins with a green plan. Explosive growth, particularly in places like China and Brazil also seems assured. The APA is offering a China Study Tour in June that sounds incredible. See http://planning.org/apainchina/studytour/

Back to the issue of digital sketching. The main question concerning the issue of digital sketching has to be whether land planners will give up the freedom found in the hand drawn sketch, in favor of a digital environment that may not offer the same level of creativity, but in the end streamlines their work flow. I am sure that the answer is, "it depends", but I would like to get your input on exactly what you think the critical issues are.

For instance, is it a hardware or a software issue, meaning is it the fact that a digital sketching environment will not have the same feel, or touch that will be objectionable, or is that he/she will be forced to conform to certain rules, no matter how well designed the solution?  Or is it a scale issue? I know there are some very large digital working surfaces being produced. Could these be modified to meet the sketching needs of the land planner?

A leader in the digital pen tablet arena is WACOM. For product info see: http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/intuos.cfm?gclid=CMezu87MwokCFTzqJAodHk1XTw

Next Time -  Top University Planning Programs