The American Institute of Certified Planners Code of Ethics section 3 paragraph (d) states that as planners, we shall share the results of experience and research that contribute to the body of knowledge. The Urban Planning body of knowledge can be considered as the sum of knowledge within the profession of Urban Planning, Regional Planning and Urban Design. As with other professions such as Law and Medicine, the body of knowledge rests with the practitioners and academics that apply it and advance it. The complete body of knowledge includes proven traditional practices that are widely applied as well as innovative practices that are emerging, including published and unpublished materials. As a result, the body of knowledge is constantly evolving.

To increase the body of knowledge, we need to add new material that reflects the growth of knowledge and practices in the field of Urban Planning by documenting those practices, tools, techniques, and other relevant items that are generally recognized as good practice.

With so many AICP baby boomers retiring, I expect to see a number of new books on the history of planning in every state in which careers have spanned 30, 40 or 50 years. It would be devastating to new planners not to have access to the accumulated wisdom of our retiring elder statesman in the body of knowledge.  I was disappointed not having met Polk County's own Fred Bair, Jr. whose 1970 book, “Planning Cities,” was on the recommended reading list in graduate school. I have been fortunate in having planners like Michael Joachim, AICP and Alan Klose, AICP mentor me in the ways of Florida planning, but young planners may not have the advantage of expert advisors who will pass on the body of knowledge.

As a practitioner and amateur researcher, I like the idea of adding to the body of knowledge but I am a relative newcomer to the field of urban planning. In school and at work, I have conducted research into stress on expeditions, winter trail users, visitors to festivals, and online decision support system design. After grad school, I discovered that I missed doing research, because I actually liked doing it!  When I first arrived in Florida, I started research on regional tourism ( decisionbydesign.com ), but my area of interest shifted as I studied for the AICP exam. I am now regarded as an amateur researcher.

I am not alone; the mid 1800's were full of Victorian gentlemen scientists and geographers, amateurs all. Amateurs didn't get paid, and had no direct financial interest in their objects of interest and expertise. The most famous amateur was Father Gregor Mendel who experimented on garden peas, and whose work was not discovered until 15 years after his death. Mendel is now regarded as the Father of Genetics. Thomas Jefferson's structured investigation of an Indian burial made him the Father of Modern Architecture, but he also dabbled in biology and zoology. Burton and Speke, two British army officers, discovered the headwaters of the Nile River on amateur expedition. Modern amateurs regularly identify new planets, plants and animals. 

I have created a series of 10 questionnaires which will be sent out over “survey monkey”, over the next year, which dealing with a  research question dealing with the planning process. The results of these surveys will be posted here starting in December of 2008.  I would like to thank all of the planners who have filled out the surveys.