The sociologist in town planning practice

Abstract

Abstract THE SOCIOLOGIST IN TOWN PLANNING PRACTICE: Sociological knowledge can be implemented in town planning practice either by the expert sociologist or by the town planner with a sociological background. The successful operation of the town planning team requires a high degree of sophistication in the town planning approach, which depends, inter alia, on a high level of training. Although South Africa still produces too fe w qualified town planners. the backlog is gradually being erased, which can lead to an increase in the academic level of qualified planners. Some divisions of planning practice by private consultants in South Africa, such as township establishment, are very design-orientated and do not call upon the sociologist. Other divisions, such as the preparation of master plans, do use the sociologist. Expert sociologists are too “time consuming” to be very popular with the town planning consultant. Government planning bodies are so dominated by political considerations that there is little scope for the sociologist. Liaison between these planners and sociologists is also practically non-existent. An urban research council on central governmental level ought to be of immense value. On provincial level only Natal does meaningful planning research. Of the local authorities, the larger ones like Johannesburg, do forward planning with an interest in the sociological aspects. The weak point in South Africa is not in the sociological research or in the town planning, but in the process of implementation of the valuefree sociological knowledge in the value-bound framework. Only a sub stantial increase in the number of highly qualified town planners with a sociological background can alleviate this situation.