Navigating Planning Theory

Abstract

This course introduces key concepts in planning theory and invites students to critically engage with planning dilemmas. Through core readings and interactive pedagogy, students reflect on their role as planners and explore how theories shape planning debates and help navigate competing interests in urban development.

Objective

*Understand key concepts in planning theory and explain their relevance to contemporary urban development debates. *Apply theoretical frameworks to analyze planning dilemmas, identify competing interests, and explore potential resolutions. *Critically reflect on the role of planners in shaping urban outcomes through discussion and self-assessment. *Formulate reasoned arguments that connect planning theory to real-world urban development scenarios.

Content

This course introduces students to foundational and emerging themes in planning theory, including knowledge and power, ethics, governance, and diverse planning approaches—from rational and incremental to communicative and agonistic. Students critically reflect on the role of planners in navigating competing interests in complex urban environments. Topics include negotiations between technical expertise and lived experience, addressing planetary boundaries, applying global theory to context-specific solutions, and considering time and temporality in planning processes. Each topic is explored through a combination of mandatory readings, lecturer inputs, interactive seminars (including debates and role plays), student presentations, and in-class discussions. The course encourages reflective engagement with planning dilemmas and supports students in developing their own theoretical and practical stance as future planners.

Resources