Value. True value.

I have been reading about business recently.  Some have been business theory, and some have been starting businesses or turning your hobbies or hustles into business.

One thing that gets pulled out repeatedly is the concept of adding value.

Of course you want to add value.  Duh.  But it's importance was never at the top.  The actual route to a good business has nothing to do with a good idea.  As I was recently reminded, there are a thousand good ideas a minute in most public restrooms.  Good business has everything to do with adding value.

I don't know where Planners add value anymore.  But in most respects, we are looked at as taking value from a property owner.  No one knows where that value goes, but poof, it's gone.  Just because Planners have gotten to a place.

The American Planning Association sums up planning thus:

Planning, also called urban planning or city and regional planning, is a dynamic profession that works to improve the welfare of people and their communities by creating more convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient, and attractive places for present and future generations.

Planning enables civic leaders, businesses, and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives.

Good planning helps create communities that offer better choices for where and how people live. Planning helps communities to envision their future. It helps them find the right balance of new development and essential services, environmental protection, and innovative change. 

Planning "works to improve," "enables," and "helps".  We don't do anything ourselves, just point out what others should be doing.  "You, over there, develop economically!"

There is nothing in this that talks about the value added by planners. In this scenario, we're just the Greek chorus, the noise, the static.  We don't move the plot, we are just there, constantly droning on.

One would hope that our professional organization could do a better job explaining the position.