Making cities pleasant, liveable places, where resources and the necessities of life are accessible to all citizens, are issues of concern to urban planning professionals. Conversely, that UA can provide solutions to some urban planning goals is becoming better recognized. The UA tide is on the rise, and cannot be forced back. Because of its inevitability, UA must be addressed by urban land-use planners and managers. This paper strove to take a realistic look at the opportunities and limits of planners to effect land- use change, noting the particular opportunities and limits of LDC urban planners.
Urban planning is a political process, involving disparate interests.
Planners, especially LDC planners, do not, as has been implied, have the power or jurisdiction to suggest radical land-use changes in cities, especially not in those areas where land uses are established. Politicians, colleagues in other municipal departments and at other levels of government, external funding agencies, and members of the public all share influence in shaping urban form and function. However, there are opportunities for urban planners sympathetic to UA to help create circumstances that are more permissive for UA, and to identify and facilitate access and use of land resources. Traditionally, urban planners have based planning policy recommendations on studies of the urban geography, demographics, land use and economy. If UA is identified as a sector worthy of study, it can gain greater attention and response in policy and receive more resources.