Summary Planning Theory
Index
Lecture 1: Introduction to Planning Theory ............................................................................................ 2
Lecture 2: Rational Planning ................................................................................................................... 2
Lecture 3: Critiques to rational planning: Incrementalism, Advocacy- and Radical Planning ................. 4
Lecture 4: Planning Theory & Sustainability ........................................................................................... 4
Lecture 5: Communicative Planning ....................................................................................................... 6
Lecture 6: Planning Theory & Resilience: Possibilities and Critique ....................................................... 8
Lecture 7: Justice in spatial planning ...................................................................................................... 8
Lecture 8: Insurgent Planning ................................................................................................................. 9
Lecture 9: Planning and the more-than-human: posthumanist theories and multispecies cities ........ 10
Lecture 10: Feminist perspectives & Planning Theory .......................................................................... 12
, Lecture 1: Introduction to Planning Theory
Planning: decision-making in the public sector concerning allocating and distributing public
resources.
Planning theorists: study the interplay of the technical, political, and ethical issues circulating
through the various planning processes.
Planning theory: the body of scientific concepts, definitions, and assumptions that define the body
of knowledge of urban planning. Characterized by fragmentation and diversification.
• Fragmentation: the process that spatially segregates those entities that belong together in
order to function optimally
• Diversification: strategies that embrace a variety of approaches, land uses, housing types,
economic activities, or social demographics within a planning framework
Theory: wide range of ideas or propositions systematized to explain a certain phenomenon or to give
directions to its evolution based on empirical reality.
Substantive (planning) theories: Theories in Planning: they focus on different objects/areas of
planning (E.g. land use, transport, urban design, regional development, etc.)
Procedural (planning) theories: Theories of Planning: they focus on the process of planning,
methods of planning (e.g. the process of decision-making in spatial development)
Paradigm: an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype, a distinct set of concepts or
thought patterns
Lecture 2: Rational Planning
Rationality: something systematic, based on theory or rules, supported by reasons and arguments
(without emphasis on emotions).
Rational decision-making model: a multi-step process, which pretend to be logical and follow the
orderly path from problem identification through solution.
The comprehensive rational planning (synoptic) model: the process of understanding a problem,
followed by establishment of goals, the formulation of alternatives and their implementation and
finally monitoring the progress of the chosen alternatives.
Modernism (paradigm):
1. Rational Social Organization: rejects traditional views, aiming to liberate from irrationalities.
2. Basis in Enlightenment Ideas: based on enlightenment ideals: reason, science, universalism.
3. Response to Rapid Change: rapid industrialization and technology fueled modernist ideals of
progress.
Modernist principles of planning: homogenous functional zoning, dominant commercial center,
steady decline in land values away from center
Historical context modernism:
1. Rational Planning became key for strategic policymaking by evaluating alternatives,
addressing market failures, and serving public interest through efficient, objective-driven
methods.
2. Influenced by rational economic theory (Chicago school), computational science, and
ecological interconnections.
3. Establishing planning as a science > positivist view/quantitative/modeling
2
Index
Lecture 1: Introduction to Planning Theory ............................................................................................ 2
Lecture 2: Rational Planning ................................................................................................................... 2
Lecture 3: Critiques to rational planning: Incrementalism, Advocacy- and Radical Planning ................. 4
Lecture 4: Planning Theory & Sustainability ........................................................................................... 4
Lecture 5: Communicative Planning ....................................................................................................... 6
Lecture 6: Planning Theory & Resilience: Possibilities and Critique ....................................................... 8
Lecture 7: Justice in spatial planning ...................................................................................................... 8
Lecture 8: Insurgent Planning ................................................................................................................. 9
Lecture 9: Planning and the more-than-human: posthumanist theories and multispecies cities ........ 10
Lecture 10: Feminist perspectives & Planning Theory .......................................................................... 12
, Lecture 1: Introduction to Planning Theory
Planning: decision-making in the public sector concerning allocating and distributing public
resources.
Planning theorists: study the interplay of the technical, political, and ethical issues circulating
through the various planning processes.
Planning theory: the body of scientific concepts, definitions, and assumptions that define the body
of knowledge of urban planning. Characterized by fragmentation and diversification.
• Fragmentation: the process that spatially segregates those entities that belong together in
order to function optimally
• Diversification: strategies that embrace a variety of approaches, land uses, housing types,
economic activities, or social demographics within a planning framework
Theory: wide range of ideas or propositions systematized to explain a certain phenomenon or to give
directions to its evolution based on empirical reality.
Substantive (planning) theories: Theories in Planning: they focus on different objects/areas of
planning (E.g. land use, transport, urban design, regional development, etc.)
Procedural (planning) theories: Theories of Planning: they focus on the process of planning,
methods of planning (e.g. the process of decision-making in spatial development)
Paradigm: an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype, a distinct set of concepts or
thought patterns
Lecture 2: Rational Planning
Rationality: something systematic, based on theory or rules, supported by reasons and arguments
(without emphasis on emotions).
Rational decision-making model: a multi-step process, which pretend to be logical and follow the
orderly path from problem identification through solution.
The comprehensive rational planning (synoptic) model: the process of understanding a problem,
followed by establishment of goals, the formulation of alternatives and their implementation and
finally monitoring the progress of the chosen alternatives.
Modernism (paradigm):
1. Rational Social Organization: rejects traditional views, aiming to liberate from irrationalities.
2. Basis in Enlightenment Ideas: based on enlightenment ideals: reason, science, universalism.
3. Response to Rapid Change: rapid industrialization and technology fueled modernist ideals of
progress.
Modernist principles of planning: homogenous functional zoning, dominant commercial center,
steady decline in land values away from center
Historical context modernism:
1. Rational Planning became key for strategic policymaking by evaluating alternatives,
addressing market failures, and serving public interest through efficient, objective-driven
methods.
2. Influenced by rational economic theory (Chicago school), computational science, and
ecological interconnections.
3. Establishing planning as a science > positivist view/quantitative/modeling
2
