In my hometown of Mount Prospect, IL (northwest suburb of Chicago), there are several challenges that village leaders have faced in recent ten years. For example, the downtown area is rich in history dating back to the 1850s, when the train passed through before the Villages was incorporated in 1917. However, in recent years, the area has struggled to introduce new businesses and maintain current ones. Adjacent communities have entertainment and attractions in their centers that draw residents from nearby areas; however, downtown Mount Prospect still has no charm. Attempts have been made by the Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association, with little success. For Mount Prospect to compete with neighboring municipalities, planners need to go back to the drawing board. Planning is a mindset and a way of thinking. The first step is to evaluate the problem. Why are businesses leaving? What stops new people from arriving downtown? What do residents want to see in their downtown and what will make them stay in the area, instead of going to other communities? It is critical to understand what businesses and, perhaps more importantly, residents want and need to make their downtown a destination. Prospects are essential to addressing planning issues such as downtown Mt. Prospect. The planner's mind must consider the problem from all points of view as there will be a variety of people with different wants and needs that must be recognized. Unlike other private sector professions, planners seek to achieve a higher level of well-being for the entire community, not just paying clients. There are many directions village leaders can take to revitalize the downtown, planners have a variety of skills in their “toolbox” to find solutions for the communities they work in and care for. It's not always a simple fix, a quick fix, and a quick fix. It can take years of careful consideration and preparation to achieve the desired results. Patience is a virtue in the world of planning; few things can have changed overnight. The planner can see the big picture and know what needs to be done now, so that visions become reality in the future. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Planning effectively requires a variety of knowledge and skills, many of which cannot be taught in the classroom, but rather in the field and experience. Take our lesson from last semester for example. It would be a rather weak course if the experience and skills gained during the project were taught in a lesson. Knowledge of common planning practices and theories is necessary before undertaking a project such as the Americana Park site in Monroe. However, the readings discussed at the beginning of this course and previous planning courses are intended to get ideas flowing into our heads, not necessarily to be used specifically for our project. Each community faces its own challenges, most often unique. To plan effectively, a planner must have the ability to see the perspectives of all stakeholders and make decisions based on the wants and needs of the particular community. There is a long list of skills and knowledge needed to plan effectively. This may include examining best practices for finding the answer to a seemingly complex problem.