Planning by civil governments, businesses, and the military services has been considered separately in both theory and practice. Those concerned with each of these applications have had little contact with those in the others, despite the common concerns and characteristics of their respective practices.

A leading figure in the research and education in planning, Branch draws upon his experience in civil, corporate, and military planning to provide a comprehensive guide to the key aspects of planning. This text is invaluable to those engaged in governmental and business planning and to students working toward careers in urban and regional planning, public administration, business management, and other fields concerned with planning.

Planning: Universal Process is undoubtedly the best book ever written on the art and intellectual discipline that constitutes effective planning, in which every unit of our society, indeed every individual, must continually engage. Each chapter is an amazing and fascinating selection of pertinent items from anthropology, history, economics, and architecture all combined through innovative analytical reasoning that demonstrates the importance of planning in attaining success in human endeavors. Simon Ramo "Co-founder, TRW, Inc."

This pioneering work presents planning as a process involved in all human activity. The author demonstrates that the condition and prospects of people depend on it more than any other of their endeavors. The book covers, in clear and plain language, the major considerations to be taken into account in successful planning: its historical roots, development over time, procedural characteristics, context, the various kinds of planning, its different forms under different conditions, its institutionalization, successes and failures, potential contributions.

The book emphasizes that there is a core of knowledge concerning means and methods that is fundamental to effective planning, and should be understood by those concerned with any one of its many applications. To the extent this basic knowledge is shared among planners, it promotes a mutually beneficial interchange of information and techniques. Planning is improved in practice and advanced as an intellectual discipline. This book should be of interest to practitioners in the different types of planning engaged in by civil governments, businesses, and the military services. It is academically important, an excellent text or reference for educational purposes. It is also interesting and stimulating to read.

Defining planning as an inherent aspect of human life, Branch presents conclusions reached from 20 previous volumes dealing with different aspects and applications of planning, as well as from actual professional planning experiences. He shows how planning has been a directive force during human evolution and an intrinsic element in human reactions, actions, and activities.

Focusing on the existing situation in the United States, he examines the major difficulties confronting the country with respect to planning: problems of communication, poor legislative performance, educational deficiencies, and cultural materialism. Branch presents the fullest explanation available in the literature today of planning and its place in society, and he concludes with an examination of the potentialities and limitations of existing planning in America and its relation to human behavior.

Continuing a life-long study, this latest work by Melville Branch describes planning as an essential element in all human activity, a principal determinant of the current condition as well as the future of society and the survival of the species. He explains planning as a primary force in the development, prospects, and continuation of human society. He defines the crucial role of the mass media in the types and success of planning. In clear, nontechnical language, Branch investigates the primary problems confronting human society; individual characteristics and societal features that affect planning, the types and applications of planning, advanced planning education and knowledge, and the societal situation and planning.

This book treats planning from a broader, more fundamental perspective than other studies in the field: as a process inherent in human activities, critical to societal success, and a distinct intellectual discipline and managerial method. It will primarily be of interest to planners in civil government, business, and the military. And to those who are active and concerned with the role of the mass media--particularly television--in our future.

Melville C. Branch continues his lifelong examination of planning as inherent in all human activities, and the primary determinant of our prospects and survival as a species. This latest work discusses the use of simulation throughout society, as the representation of what is considered or planned. Simulation is everpresent in many different forms, such as financial statements representing the economic state of a business, flight simulators used in training pilots, and wind tunnels and hydrodynamic tanks employed in research. Scientific sample polls of relatively few people reveal the collective opinion of entire populations. Mathematical models are used to analyze all sorts of phenomena and to plan many activities. Literature, law, music, and art simulate human thoughts, emotions, concerns, and conclusions. Simulation is an essential element of individual behavior and societal action.

The literature on regional planning deals mainly with the economic development of depressed areas and urban planning. Few works treat regional planning by businesses and fewer still explore its employment by the military. Regional Planning corrects this imbalance by providing a unique introduction to the study of region types and their use for planning and operational purposes. Written in clear, accessible language and utilizing over 70 illustrations, Dr. Branch describes the many types of regions, their use by various fields of study for different purposes, and their utilization by civil governments, businesses, and the military services. In addition, examples of current practices in regional planning are discusses as well as future potential.

Planning by civil governments, businesses, and the military services has been considered separately in both theory and practice. Those concerned with each of these applications have had little contact with those in the others, despite the common concerns and characteristics of their respective practices. A leading figure in the research and education in planning, Branch draws upon his experience in civil, corporate, and military planning to provide a comprehensive guide to the key aspects of planning. This text is invaluable to those engaged in governmental and business planning and to students working toward careers in urban and regional planning, public administration, business management, and other fields concerned with planning.

The literature on regional planning deals mainly with the economic development of depressed areas and urban planning. Few works treat regional planning by businesses and few still explore its employment by the military. "Regional Planning" corrects this imbalance by providing a unique introduction to the study of region types and their use for planning and operational purposes. Written in clear, accessible language and utilizing over 70 illustrations, Dr. Branch describes the many types of regions, their use by various fields of study for different purposes, and their utilization by civil governments, businesses, and the military services. In addition, examples of current practices in regional planning are discussed as well as future potential.