Planning theory

Learning objectives

• Describe the rational-comprehensive model and the main critiques of it.
• Distinguish bounded rationality, satisficing, incrementalism, and mixed scanning, and name the theorist behind each.
• Distinguish theory of planning (process) from theory in planning (substance).
• Explain advocacy, equity, transactive, communicative, radical, and insurgent planning and how they changed the planner's role.
• Describe the "just city" and "wicked problems" and use them to analyze a planning situation.
• Recognize which theory an exam scenario is describing.

Key concepts

Planning theory asks two questions: How should planners make decisions? (process) and Whose interests should planning serve? (values). Most exam questions pair a theorist with a concept, or describe a planner's behavior and ask which theory it reflects.

Theory of planning and theory in planning

Andreas Faludi (Planning Theory, 1973) drew a distinction that still organizes the field. Procedural theory, or theory of planning, is about how planning decisions are made: the rational model, incrementalism, and communicative planning. Substantive theory, or theory in planning, is about the things being planned: how cities grow, why neighborhoods change, what makes a transit system work. The theories in this lesson are mostly procedural, with value positions attached; Patterns of human settlement covers substantive theory.

12 more sections follow in the full lesson.

Key terms

• Rational-comprehensive model: The sequential model of goals, alternatives, evaluation, choice, and implementation.
• Bounded rationality: The limits on information and analysis that constrain real decisions.
• Satisficing: Choosing an option that meets a minimum standard instead of the optimum.
• Disjointed incrementalism: Policymaking by small, successive adjustments from the status quo.
• Mixed scanning: A broad overview combined with detailed analysis of selected areas.
• Advocacy planning: Planning that openly represents specific, often underrepresented, interests.
• Equity planning: Planning that directs public resources toward those with the fewest choices.
• Transactive planning: Planning through interpersonal dialogue and mutual learning.
• Communicative planning: Planning as a process of dialogue, argument, and consensus building.
• Just city: Fainstein's framework evaluating urban outcomes by equity, diversity, and democracy.
• Wicked problem: A complex problem with no definitive formulation or final solution.
• Procedural theory: Theory about how planning decisions are made (theory of planning).
• Substantive theory: Theory about the things planning shapes, such as cities and regions (theory in planning).
• Radical planning: Planning rooted in social movements that seeks structural change.
• Communicative rationality: Habermas's idea that sound decisions come from open, undistorted dialogue.