Explaining Planning Theory
Prof. Yekeen A. Sanusi Department of Urban and Regional Planning,
Federal University of Technology, Minna. Postgraduate Programme
([Link]) Lecture Note: Planning Theory,
What is theory
• “A coherent system of rules and principles, a more or less verified or
established explanation accounting for known facts or phenomena"
• ( Mann 1995)
• "Theories are not facts... Theories are what make it possible to transfer
a large number of factual observations into a logical system of ideas
that explains the real world in a coherent and understandable fashion"
(McClendon, 1995)
• It is a general proposition, or logically-connected system of general
propositions, which establishes a relationship between two or more
variables (Abend, 2008).
• An explanation of a particular social phenomenon (Abend, 2008)
Characteristics of Theories
• It consists of many parts
• It shows relationships between the variables being considered.
• It is prescriptive.
• It is predictive.
• It is normative.
• Universality.
• Time-relevance.
What is Planning Theory
• Scholars have not agreed on a clear definition of planning theory.
Rather, there are perspectives that give direction to some
understanding of planning theory. Some of the perspectives are
examined below:
• Town Theory as Cumulative Professional Knowledge
• In the opinions of Fainstein & Campbell (2012), although planning
practice is often based more on intuition than on explicit theories,
this intuition may in fact be assimilated theory. In this light, theory
represents cumulative professional knowledge
Divisions of planning Theory
• Handwörte (2018) emphasises the distinction:
• Descriptive/explanatory planning theories → work
in an empirical-analytical manner to better
understand planning practice.
• Normative planning theories → provide specific
guidelines for action on how planning should take
place.
Tripartite Conceptualization
Further diversity of opinions has also been added to the existing
conceptualisation of planning theory.
Yiftachel (1989,).identified what is called, Tripartite Conceptualization
of Planning Theory. By this, planning theory can be conceptualized
broadly under three contemporary labels: rational, communicative, and
critical, which correspond to normative issues of:
• What is planning’s purpose?
• What constitutes good planning process?
• What constitutes good planning?
• According to Yiftachel & Huxley (2000), Critical Planning Theory
(CPT) engages with questions of power, equity, language, knowledge
construction, and related issues, testing “professional concepts,
models and ‘gospels’ against their real world material and discursive
consequences.”
• According to Fainstein & DeFilippis (2016:) “Planning theory is
divided into those who understand planning through analyzing
existing practices and those who theorize in an effort to transform
planning practices.”
• Furthermore, Friedmann, ( 2008) defines plnning theory from its role
as ethical / humanist philosophy. Hence planning theory provides an
ethical consciousness for planning, offering a reflective “humanist
philosophy to guide planners in their work.”
Types of planning Theory
Traditional Views:
• Theory in planning
• Theory of planning
Emerging View:
• Theories about planning (planning as practiced in a
particular context)
Theory in planning
• This body of theories concerns theories that deal with what town
planners study; the manipulative objects.
• They are called instrument character by Bengs.
• They are the substances of planning and hence are called
substantive theories. They are seen as system operation theory.
• They derive from geography, economics and environmental
sciences.
• Examples: Ecological theories of urban structure: concentric,
sector and radial theories. Others are Christaller’s Theory of
Central Places; von Thunen’s Theory of Agricultural land Use;
Marx Weber’s Industrial Theory.
Theory of planning
• This concerns the body of theories that guide the behaviour of the town
planner and the environment in which the town planner operates.
• Deals with the relationship of the town planner and the planning
environment including people and the politicians
• The process or procedure of planning and hence, it is called procedural
theory.
• It addresses what is common to all and are generic and normative.
• In other words, the provide the standards and expectations for the
operation of town planning
• They are also seen as theory of systems change.
• They derive from decision theory, political science, public administration
and engineering.
The Content and the container
• In the light of the differences between theory in
planning and theory of planning; the two have
been compared to container and its content.
• Theory of planning is the container
• Theory in planning is the content.
Remarks
• The two bodies of theory are important to the town
planner
• In practice, it is difficult to separate the two.
• Effecting a functioning city will depend on creative
application of the two bodies of theory.
References
• Gunter, M. (2015), Critical Planning Theory. International
Encyclopaedia of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
• Wiechmann (2018), Planning theory. In: ARL – Academy for Spatial
Research and Regional Planning (ed.): Concise Dictionary of Urban
and Spatial Development. Hanover, 1771–1784.