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The Ashgate Research Companion to Planning Theory

Conceptual Challenges for Spatial Planning

Patsy Healey author Jean Hillier editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:28th Jul '10

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Ashgate Research Companion to Planning Theory cover

At a time of potentially radical changes in the ways in which humans interact with their environments - through financial, environmental and/or social crises - the raison d'être of spatial planning faces significant conceptual and empirical challenges. This Companion presents a multidimensional collection of critical narratives of conceptual challenges for spatial planning. The authors draw on various disciplinary traditions and theoretical frames to explore different ways of conceptualising spatial planning and the challenges it faces. Through problematising planning itself, the values which underpin planning and theory-practice relations, contributions make visible the limits of established planning theories and illustrate how, by thinking about new issues, or about issues in new ways, spatial planning might be advanced both theoretically and practically. There cannot be definitive answers to the conceptual challenges posed, but the authors in this collection provoke critical questions and debates over important issues for spatial planning and its future. A key question is not so much what planning theory is, but what might planning theory do in times of uncertainty and complexity. An underlying rationale is that planning theory and practice are intrinsically connected. The Companion is presented in three linked parts: issues which arise from an interactive understanding of the relations between planning ideas and the political-institutional contexts in which such ideas are put to work; key concepts in current theorising from mainly poststructuralist perspectives and what discussion on complexity may offer planning theory and practice.

'The book is logically structured around three major themes, and although the focus of analysis is cities in the developed world, it is refreshing to see other parts of the world been brought into discussion, most notably South-East Asia... Overall, this book will be a welcome addition to the growing body of literature on contemporary spatial planning theory and practice.' Housing Studies 'There are many gems throughout this volume ... putting together such a luminary group of thinkers is no small feat. The result is that reading through the collection was a treat. Planning scholars owe a debt to Hillier and Healey for their vision in producing this magisterial volume. It belongs in any serious planning scholar's library.' Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design

ISBN: 9780754672548

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 1120g

520 pages