The new environmentalist.

Area of Science:

• Urban Planning
• Environmental Science
• Social Science

Background:

• Increasingly complex challenges face physical planners in urban environments worldwide.
• Conventional professional training inadequately equips planners to address multifaceted issues.
• Growing global 'green' debates and population growth intensify demand for scarce land resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the nature of urban planning problems.
• To determine the future training requirements for physical planners advising governments.
• To propose a new model for environmental planning education.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of planning problems experienced in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.
• Categorization of urban planning issues into physical, social, and visual domains.
• Review of current professional training standards in relation to emerging challenges.

Main Results:

• Urban planning problems are complex, encompassing physical, social, and visual dimensions.
• Existing professional training lacks the holistic approach required for current and future challenges.
• There is a critical need for planners to identify hidden opportunities within these complex issues.

Conclusions:

• A new type of environmental planner is required for the future.
• This planner must possess integrated training in earth sciences, social sciences, and visual arts.
• Such interdisciplinary expertise is essential for navigating land resource competition and 'green' debates.