Theories of Planning Practice

Question 1

Theories of Planning Practice

Answer 1

Rational
Incremental
Mixed Scanning
Advocacy
Transactive
Radical
Communicative

Question 2

The basic steps in rational planning are to:

Answer 2

Set Goals
Determine Alternatives
Evaluate the Alternatives
Choose an Alternative
Implement the Alternative
Evaluate

Question 3

satisfice

Answer 3

A term from rational planning. Coined by Herbert Simon. The term accepts that the human mind is limited in its ability to solve problems. We instead choose alternatives that are good enough. Simon argued that the rational “economic man” should be replaced by the “administrative man” who satisfies.

Question 4

Criticisms of Rational Planning

Answer 4

Can’t solve wicked problems AND it doesn’t specify WHO sets the goals.

It cannot be used when we have “wicked” problems. Wicked problems are those that are complicated and difficult to solve.

Rational planning can only work when the problem can be easily defined and there can be the best solution.

Rationality is supposed to be value-free. Goals are based on public interest, defined as the good of the whole community. Rational planning should not be used if there is no consensus within a community on a particular issue.

Question 5

Rational Planning

Answer 5

Rational planning was the dominant planning theory through the 1950s. While this model has been discredited, it can still be seen in use in all areas of the planning practice.

Question 6

Where does Rational Planning still exist?

Answer 6

In particular, transportation planning is one area in which rational planning persists.

Question 7

Incremental Planning origin

Answer 7

1959, Charles Lindblom published the article “The Science of Muddling Through”, which introduced the concept of incrementalism.

Question 8

Incremental Planning

Answer 8

Planning has to be piecemeal, incremental, opportunistic, and pragmatic. Planning in the real world is not rational and comprehensive, but is instead disjointed and incremental.

Question 9

Criticism of Incremental Planning

Answer 9

As with rational planning, incrementalism does not specify WHOSE values should be used in establishing goals.

Question 10

Mixed Scanning origin

Answer 10

Amitai Etzioni in an 1967 article of Public Administrative Review. Presented as a third option to rational and incremental planning.

Question 11

Mixed Scanning

Answer 11

Mixed scanning views planning decisions at two levels: the big picture and the small picture.

recognizing the difference between policy-changing decisions and implementation decisions.

Etzioni argued that fundamental policy-shaping decisions should be based on a more careful rational analysis of alternatives. Implementation decisions, on the other hand, should use an incremental approach.

Question 12

Criticism of Mixed Scanning

Answer 12

As with the rational and incremental approaches, it does not identify WHO is involved in the process or whose values are used.

Question 13

Advocacy Planning Origin

Answer 13

Developed in the 1960s by Paul Davidoff as a way to represent the interests of groups within a community.

Question 14

Advocacy Planning

Answer 14

Davidoff argued that planners should represent special interest groups rather than acting for the good of the whole community

Planners, therefore, should work to create plans that represent varying interest groups, resulting in plural plans for public consideration.

Advocacy planning shifted for whom the planner plans, but it did not change what the planner does. The planner would still utilize rational and incremental approaches to planning.

Question 15

Equity Planning

Answer 15

While advocacy planning promoted the planner as an advocate for special interest groups, some argued that the role of the planner should be to advocate specifically for the disadvantaged in the community. This is known as equity planning.

Question 16

Mr. Equity Planning

Answer 16

Norman Krumholz adopted equity planning in Cleveland during the 1970s and helped make the needs of low-income groups the highest priority.

Krumholz’s view on equity planning was that planners should work to redistribute power, resources, or participation away from the elite and toward the poor and working-class residents of the community.

Plans are evaluated on Q of L imrpovements.

Question 17

Criticisms of Equity Planning

Answer 17

It leaves planners with few options if local leaders (mayor and council) are not in tune with the need for progressive political action.

Question 18

Transactive Planning origin

Answer 18

1973, John Friedmann published the book Retracking America: A Theory of Transactive Planning.

Question 19

Transactive Planning

Answer 19

Transactive planning theory was developed in the 1970s as a way to get the public more involved in the planning process.

In transactive planning, the planner meets with individuals in the community to discuss issues and help develop a plan. Through a process of “mutual learning,” the planner shares technical knowledge, while the citizens provide community knowledge.

Question 20

Criticisms of Transactive Planning

Answer 20

1) it takes a large amount of time to meet with individuals and utilize the mutual learning process.
2) how to evaluate the importance of each person’s community knowledge.
3) transactive planning cannot work in situations in which there are large differences of opinion and/or many stakeholders.

Question 21

Radical Planning origins

Answer 21

1987, John Friedmann published a book titled Planning in the Public Domain: From Knowledge to Action

Question 22

Radical Planning

Answer 22

The concept of radical planning, which involves taking power away from the government and giving it to the people. In this process, citizens get together and develop their own plans.

Question 23

Criticisms of Radical Planning

Answer 23

It is a form of planning that is particularly difficult to implement, as we are hard-pressed to find examples of U.S. governments allowing neighborhoods or individual groups to develop and implement their own plans.

Question 24

Communicative Planning Origin

Answer 24

Communicative planning grew out of American pragmatic philosophy and European critical theory, essentially considering how citizens and planners come together to create a plan (American pragmatism).

Question 25

Communicative Planning

Answer 25

his theory recognizes that planning operates within the realm of politics and that it contains a variety of stakeholder interests. The communicative approach tries to use a rational model as a basis for bringing mutual understanding among all stakeholders. Planners can provide the stakeholders with information and bring people together to discuss the issues.

Question 26

What theory of planning is used today?

Answer 26

Communicative Planning