By: Brent Savidant, Planning Director, City of Troy & Dan Swallow, Director of Economic and Community Development, City of Monroe
 

In Michigan Planner issues over the last year, various authors have discussed "what planners should do when it's slow", and what to expect as the role of elected, appointed and professional planners changes in today's communities. Staying up-to-date on what skills are necessary to remain relevant in your community is important to the success and quality of life in your community, as well as your professional staying power.

 

An important aspect of the planning profession that hasn't been discussed in these articles is what happens when your role as planner evolves into something different altogether, from planning and community development functions to the additional management of economic development, building department functions, historic preservation activities and parks and recreation department supervision. The different jobs of the planner and the numerous jobs of planning are increasingly different in today's economy and the resulting structure of the communities we're creating. 

 

These articles discuss how two Michigan communities, cities of Troy and Monroe, are handling their tasks differently and how these planning departments are using their skills to shape their community, wearing different professional hats.

 

Local Governments Restructure Planning Functions

CITY OF MONROE

 

The Evolving Role of the Planner

CITY OF TROY