INTRODUCTION

In simple words, planning is deciding in advance what is to be done, when where, how and by whom it is to be done. Planning bridges the gap from where we are to where we want to go. It includes the selection of objectives, policies, procedures and programmes from among alternatives. A plan is a predetermined course of action to achieve a specified goal. It is an intellectual process characterized by thinking before doing. It is an attempt on the part of manager to anticipate the future in order to achieve better performance. Planning is the primary function of any management, be it organization or government. Planning is not done off hand. It is prepared after careful and extensive research. For a comprehensive business plan, management has to: Clearly define the target/goal in writing. It should be set by a person having authority. The goal should be realistic, specific, acceptable to the organization, and easily measurable. Identify all the main issues which need to be addressed. Review past performance. Decide budgetary requirement. Focus on matters of strategic importance. What are requirements and how will they be met? What will be the likely length of the plan and its structure? Identify shortcomings in the concept and gaps. Strategies for implementation. Review periodically. Define strategies and activities. On the other hand, urban planning is determining and drawing up plans for the future physical arrangement and condition of a community.

MEANING OF PLANNING

Different authors have given different definitions of planning from time to time. The main definitions of planning are as follows: according to Alford and Beatt, "Planning is the thinking process, the organized foresight, the vision based on fact and experience that is required for intelligent action." According to Theo Haimann, "Planning is deciding in advance what is to be done. When a manager plans, he projects a course of action for further attempting to achieve a consistent co-ordinate structure of operations aimed at the desired results. According to Billy E. Goetz, "Planning is fundamentally choosing and a planning problem arises when an alternative course of action is discovered." According to Koontz and O' Donnell, "Planning is an intellectual process, conscious determination of course of action, the basing of decision on purpose, facts and considered estimates." According to Allen, "A plan is a trap laid to capture the future." Some definitions of planning given in Western countries naturally consider the market mechanism as the main method of allocation of resources, and planning as a supplementary activity. The American economist G. Sirkin ( 1968) arrives at [definition] as follows: Planning is the attempt, by centralizing the management of the allocation of resources sufficiently, to take into account social costs and social benefits which would be irrelevant to the calculations of the decentralized decision-maker, In Sirkins definition it is important to observe the word sufficiently. The starting point is a system of decentralized decisions and planning means centralizing management to a sufficient degree. The title of Sirkins book. The Visible Hand: The Fundamentals of Economic Planning, is in the same spirit as his definition. The counterpart of The Visible Hand is of course The Invisible Hand which is the famous metaphor used by Adam Smith to visualize the ability of the market mechanism to generate an optimal allocation of

resources. Where The Invisible Hand fails, The Visible Hand must be used to guide the economic processes. In France, where there is a rather extensive literature on planning, several definitions are given in a similar vein. In discussing such definitions, G. Caire (1967) in fact distinguishes between approaches to planning which consider planning as a supplement to the market mechanism, and definitions which consider planning as something which should replace the market mechanism. In France activities and arrangements which are intended to improve the functioning of the market mechanism are often considered as the most essential elements of planning. For instance, the influential French economist F. Perroux (1965) emphasizes the absence of competitive conditions in the various markets as the main reason for economic planning. The reduction of uncertainty created by the market mechanisms is also often considered as a main aspect of planning as suggested by P. Masses book (1965) with the title Le plan ou lanti-hasard. The definitions given above are ranked from a definition which emphasizes centralized control over a wide range of activities to definitions which consider planning as a supplement to the market mechanism or as a means of improving the working of the market mechanism. It is possible to go even further, as is in a way done by the British economist and econometrician R. Stone (1964). He explains that a plan tells us how to set about achieving our policies given the operating characteristics of the system. It can be identified with administration or control. These words can in turn be identified either with coercion exemplified by the policeman, or with means o self-regulation exemplified by the Watts governor or the thermostat.

The definitions quoted above aim at rather broad and general characterizations of economic planning- Many other definitions emphasize more specific aspects. A Soviet definition from the period of discussions about economic reforms, by V. S. Nemchinov in a book published in 1962 runs as follows: Practical planning consists in harmonious coordination of the conscious control with the cybernetic principle of the automatic, autoregulatory and autoorganizing flow of the economic process.... This solution is possible only under certain decentralization of the planning decision making,,,,. The cybernetic principle involved will in practice take the form of some sort of market mechanism. This definition thus emphasizes the coordination of central decision-making with some use of market mechanisms ..V.S. Nemchinov was a leading person in the great progress which took place in Soviet economics front the late 1950s, partly by taking into use mathematical methods and modern computational techniques, and his views can be taken as representative of the period. Urban planning follow two main aims: 1) Organization of major urban activities (such as housing, business, entertainment and communication). 2) Optimizing spatial distribution of qualitative and quantitative facilities in urban areas. On a professional note, planning, also called urban planning or city and regional planning, is a dynamic profession that works to improve the welfare of people and their communities by creating more convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient, and attractive places for present and future generations (Taylor, 2007). Planning enables civic leaders,

businesses, and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives. Good planning helps create communities that offer better choices for where and how people live. Planning helps communities to envision their future. It helps them find the right balance of new development and essential services, environmental protection, and innovative change (Wheeler, 1998). Planning is done in many arenas and involves professionals who are planners and those who are professionally certified by the institute of certified planners. Planners work with elected and appointed officials, such as mayors and planning commissioners, to lead the planning process with the goal of creating communities of lasting value. Planners help civic leaders, businesses, and citizens envision new possibilities and solutions to community problems. Professional planners help create a broad vision for the community. They also research, design, and develop programs; lead public processes; effect social change; perform technical analyses; manage; and educate. Some planners focus on just some of these roles, such as transportation planning, but most will work at many kinds of planning throughout their careers.

ELEMENTS OF PLANNING AS APPLICABLE IN PLANNING FUNCTIONS

goals and vision. Planners are also responsible for the implementation or enforcement of many of the strategies, often coordinating the work of many groups of people. It is important to recognize that a plan can take a variety of forms including: policy recommendations, community action plans, comprehensive plans, neighborhood plans, regulatory and incentive strategies, or historic preservation plans. Other examples of plans include: redevelopment plans, smart growth strategies, economic development strategic plans, site plans, and disaster preparedness plans. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Planning is to ensure social and economic development of a society, this means that planners are to work in harmony towards ensuring that there is meaningful social development in terms of planning for the provision of social amenities in collaboration with the government in order to ensure that the social life of citizens are satisfied. There is need for infrastructures in a society if there would be meaningful development, these infrastructures such as stable electricity supply, good road network and amenities will encourage development either within the urban centers or the rural ends of the society. There is need for continuous economic development, especially in a developing society such as Nigeria, hence, there is need for planners to plan in order to give room for meaningful development in the region/society.

A CONTINUOUS PROCESS Planning is a continuous process and a never ending activity of a manager in an enterprise based upon some assumptions which may or may not come true in the future. Therefore, the manager has to go on modifying revising and adjusting plans in the light of

changing circumstances. According to George R. Terry, "Planning is a continuous process and there is no end to it. It involves continuous collection, evaluation and selection of data, and scientific investigation and analysis of the possible alternative courses of action and the selection of the best alternative.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT/URBANIZATION Viable plan must take into cognizance urban centers for development such that meaningful development will be realized within the urban areas so as to ensure development control in which people are tailored to construct buildings and structures in the right place without obstructing smooth flow of transportation among others things. In the case of Nigeria, urban centers are developed so as to avoid congestion and overcrowding in order to encourage smooth flow of traffic as well as reducing the rate of crime. In Lagos and Ibadan for instance, government has made concerted efforts to ensure that these two places are well planned in order to avoid disasters such as disease spread and congestion and thereby reducing crime rate. Taking into cognizance this element of planning, there will be meaningful planning in the country.

INTEGRATED LAND USE Planners work in hand with government to ensure that the citizens have the right to own lands and landed properties such that the social welfare and basic needs of life of citizens are taken care of. The land use element guides the physical development of the city. It outlines general policies for the location of each of the citys primary land uses such as industry, offices, commercial space, parks, civic facilities, and housing. One of the main

purposes for directing the pattern of land development is to ensure that the citys limited resources are used judiciously and efficiently.

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL Development is good but in every society, there is need for control such that people will not just do things without second thought. If there is no control, citizens will erect structures anywhere, people will build on future road paths and so on. Regulations and controls constitute an integral element of planning.

ROLE,

SIGNIFICANCE,

IMPORTANCE

&

ADVANTAGES

OF

PLANNING
Planning is one of the most important and crucial functions of management. According to Koontz and O'Donnell, "Without planning business becomes random in nature and decisions become meaningless and adhoc choices." According to Geroge R. Terry, "Planning is the foundation of most successful actions of any enterprise." Planning becomes necessary due to the following reasons: Reduction of Uncertainty: Future is always full of uncertainties. A business organisation has to function in these uncertainties. It can operate successfully if it is able to predict the uncertainties. Some of the uncertainties can be predicted by undertaking systematic. Some of the uncertainties can be predicted by undertaking systematic forecasting. Thus, planning helps in foreseeing uncertainties which may be caused by changes in technology, fashion and taste of people, government rules and regulations, etc.

Better Utilization of Resources: An important advantage of planning is that it makes effective and proper utilization of enterprise resources. It identifies all such available resources and makes optimum use of these resources.

Increases Organizational Effectiveness: Planning ensures organizational effectiveness. Effectiveness ensures that the organisation is in a position to achieve its objective due to increased efficiency of the organisation.

Reduces the Cost of Performance: Planning assists in reducing the cost of performance. It includes the selection of only one course of action amongst the different courses of action that would yield the best results at minimum cost. It removes hesitancy, avoids crises and chaos, eliminates false steps and protects against improper deviations.

Concentration on Objectives: It is a basic characteristic of planning that it is related to the organizational objectives. All the operations are planned to achieve the organizational objectives. Planning facilitates the achievement of objectives by focusing attention on them. It requires the clear definition of objectives so that most appropriate alternative courses of action are chosen.

Helps in Co-ordination: Good plans unify the interdepartmental activity and clearly lay down the area of freedom in the development of various sub-plans. Various departments work in accordance with the overall plans of the organisation. Thus, there is harmony in the organisation, and duplication of efforts and conflict of jurisdiction are avoided.

Makes Control Effective: Planning and control are inseparable in the sense that unplanned action cannot be controlled because control involves keeping

activities on the predetermined course by rectifying deviations from plans. Planning helps control by furnishing standards of performance. Encouragement to Innovation: Planning helps innovative and creative thinking among the managers because many new ideas come to the mind of a manager when he is planning. It creates a forward-looking attitude among the managers. Increase in Competitive Strength: Effective planning gives a competitive edge to the enterprise over other enterprises that do not have planning or have ineffective planning. This is because planning may involve expansion of capacity, changes in work methods, changes in quality, anticipation of tastes and fashions of people and technological changes etc.

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CONCLUSION
Development is necessary, if not compulsory but development cannot be achieved without adequate planning and planning cannot be done without the presence of planners such as physical planners who says where and what may be placed at certain ends of the society in order to avoid disaster or danger. Planning has been seen as a very important aspect of life, anyone that fails to plan is planning to fail; hence, there is need for our planners and government to be on their toes so that the environment we all live in will be conducive for habitation. Nigeria needs to really look into the future and do certain things to save our unborn children. In this society we live in, planning is inevitable.

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REFERENCES
Taylor, Nigel (2007): Urban Planning Theory since 1945, London, Sage. Wheeler, Stephen (1998). "Planning Sustainable and Livable Cities", Routledge; 3rd edition. Smith Morris et al. (1997): British Town Planning and Urban Design, 1997, ISBN 0-58223496-4, Longman, Singapore. Wheeler, Stephen (1998): Planning Sustainable and Livable Cities. New York: Routledge. Innes, Judith; Booher, David (2000): "Public Participation in Planning: New Strategies for the 21st Century". Working Paper 2000-2007 (University of California, Berkeley: Institute of Urban and Regional Development). http://escholarship.org/uc/item/3r34r38h. McDonald, G. T. (1989): Rural Land Use Planning Decisions by Bargaining. Journal of Rural Studies , 5 (4), 325-335. Wachs, M. (2004): Reflections on the planning process. In S. Hansen, & G. Guliano (Eds.), The Geography of Urban Transportation (3rd Edition ed., pp. 141-161). The Guilford Press. Hodge, Gerald and Gordon, David (2007): Planning Canadian Communities (fifth edition), Nelson College Indigenous, 2007 Keeble, Lewis B. (1951): Principles and Practice of Town and Country Planning, Estates Gazette, London Nelson, Nels O. (2010): Planning the Productive City, 2009, accessed December 30, 2010.

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