Plural planning theories

Author(s)
Benjamin Davy, Meike Levin-Keitel, Franziska Sielker
Abstract

Spatial planning faces the brutal plurality of truths, exacerbated by constant crises and long-term transformation. When ideologically weaponized narratives replace ‘the truth’, planners no longer can validate their inputs into the planning process by referring to an undisputed base of knowledge. We present two approaches to planning theories that help understand why and how planners can address plural rationalities. One approach asserts that polyrationality is inevitable and planners need to listen to other voices, other rationalities. The other approach admonishes planners to choose wisely which worldview, rationality or bias they wish to follow and pursue. Finally, we invite the academic planning community to provide environments that allow for more theory-led debates. The AESOP Thematic Group Planning Theories will continue to provide one such forum.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geography and Regional Research
External organisation(s)
University of Johannesburg (UJ), Technische Universität Dortmund, Technische Universität Wien
Journal
European Planning Studies
Volume
31
Pages
2267-2276
No. of pages
10
ISSN
0965-4313
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2023.2217852
Publication date
2023
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
507012 Spatial structure
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Geography, Planning and Development
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/3805da79-97e1-476c-8f11-d2022c7ac022