The role of planning is ultimately to formulate plans that meet the economic, environmental, social and physical needs of society. The task is also to suggest strategies needed to implement these plans. This work must be carried out with recognition of conflicts in inte rest. Skills in conflict handling, negotiations and mediation are therefore of vital importance. Ethics are an essential part of planning as suggested solutions should promote important values such as equity, social justice, efficiency and possibilities for the affected interest groups and the public to participate in the process preceding decision making.
Planning is an interdisciplinary activity.
It also holds true that approaches to planning vary somewhat within Europe as well as in other parts of the world. These differences relate to culture, traditions, attitudes, political decisions and the economic situation in the countries. Today we can see an increasing enthusiasm for planning. It is becoming more and more obvious that development within different fields of society are closely interrelated. In order to achieve efficient solutions, development of transportation systems, economic development and housing and services must be co-ordinated.