A Future for Planning

This book emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking in planning practices, arguing for a renewed focus on sustainability and future well-being in policy-making.

The book A Future for Planning offers an insightful exploration into the constraints faced by planning practices and policies, particularly emphasizing the impact of short-term thinking and the lack of spatial awareness. It highlights how these limitations hinder effective responses to pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. The authors argue that planning must not only be spatial but also fundamentally concerned with the future, a dimension that has been largely overlooked in both academic discourse and practical applications.

A significant focus of A Future for Planning is the critical need for longer-term thinking in addressing various societal issues, such as climate change, an aging population, and urban health. The book contends that neglecting the concept of time in planning discussions is not merely an academic oversight but has profound implications for practical governance and policy-making. By examining the historical context of planning over the last 80 years, it reveals how failures to anticipate and shape the future extend beyond mere procedural shortcomings.

Ultimately, A Future for Planning advocates for a re-integration of time into planning processes. It presents a range of global examples illustrating both the successes and failures of long-term planning initiatives. The authors argue for a transformative approach that prioritizes the sustainability and well-being of future generations, making a compelling case for the essential role of long-term planning in contemporary governance.