Planning Universe: Financial Institutions

Developers and builders often transform land from one use to another. In doing so, they are acting to satisfy a perceived community demand for a service or product in a manner that produces a profit. This market dynamic is representative of our free enterprise system and is central to sustaining our society. The planning challenge lies in deciding how best to integrate the market with the needs of the larger society.

Much can be learned from developers who realize that markets and market demand do not exist in isolation from one another or from the larger society. Developers can pinpoint regulations and policies which may sound great in principle, but are impossible to achieve in the real world. By recognizing the valuable role developers and builders play in the planning universe, and reaching out to gain their insights, planning commissioners can enhance the quality of the regulatory process.