Planning the built environment: Programming

Built environments should support the current and future needs of the people who use them. When programming is conducted early in the design cycle, information about a setting can be systematically gathered, analyzed, and summarized before design and construction. The chapter outlines key goals of the practice of design programming and defines the roles of, and relationships among, programmers, users, and clients. Common methods used in programming, such as literature reviews, observations, walkthrough interviews, needs assessments, simulations, and occupant surveys are explored as well as methods that engage groups of occupants are discussed and guidance is provided to help the programmer choose among these methods. Finally, the challenges programming can pose are discussed and a real-world example of a programming project is provided.