70 Years’ Planning Theory: A Post-postmodernist Perspective

Journal title SCIENZE REGIONALI
Author/s Ernest R. Alexander
Publishing Year 2015 Issue 2015/1
Language English Pages 14 P. 5-18 File size 125 KB
DOI 10.3280/SCRE2015-001001
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This survey, a subjective critical review of ‘planning theory’ as it evolved since the mid- 20th century, has three parts. The first is a condensed account of the emergence of three distinct schools of thought: the radical-communicative, post-structuralist, and institutionalist streams. In the second part each stream is represented reviewing a typical book: Friedmann’s (2011) Insurgencies, Gunder and Hillier’s (2009) Planning in Ten Words or Less, and Webster and Lai’s (2003) Property Rights, Planning and Markets. The last part argues the author’s position - there is no ‘planning’, only diverse planning practices - and develops its implications for planning theory and practice.

Keywords: Planning theory; communicative planning; post-structuralist planning.

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Ernest R. Alexander, 70 Years’ Planning Theory: A Post-postmodernist Perspective in "SCIENZE REGIONALI " 1/2015, pp 5-18, DOI: 10.3280/SCRE2015-001001