New Planning theory: Week 6 blog

"Theories are a product of the time"

This chapter was written about the evolution of different planning theories. The quote I highlighted above is important to note. As it considers the context of theory and its importance. It shows how planning theory has evolved with the challenges it has had to face. Orginally planning theory derived from the problem of poor sanitation, overcrowding , dirty city centres in the 1800's. It then looked to spacial arrangement to address these negatives of urban living. This context was all about the planner knowing the best solution to each problem. The problems with this approach is that the community does not get much involvement within the planning process. The chapter looks to engage in three types of planning; social, physical and economic.

As the profession has continued to evolve their has been more of a communicative planning theory beyy Patsy Heal. Where the planner is mediating between all state holders and advocates for the needs of a town. This thery was about top-down planning. The problems with this theory is its lenghthy time and rhetorical and action plans. And the many conflicts of interest and the difficulty to allow all stake holders to be incoprorated within the process.

New Urbanism is a designed oritented apporach. As it is the spatial relations that alow for a close knit community to build social capital. It can be taken on the communicative planner approach. The theory is about spacial determisism, The problems that arise are that this determism can be wrong, it does not address social injustice and diversity shouldn't be planned. Rather the planner should give communties the means to be able to become diverse.

The "Just City" theory was written by Feinstein so understandley there was a biased view on its development. This was hard to grasp this theory but it was about the political economy. It was about normative analysis in the distribution of social benefits.It does not assume neutrality of governments and takes into the account the capitalist economy which is resides in. It is utopian and looks towards a middle-class society.In terms of planning it understands them to mobilise the public rather then telling those in office to do. Obviously the writer chose to not put in her critiques of the theory. However time will assume its validity. But what do you all think about this theory? Your thoughts would be appreciated in my own understanding :)

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