Planning Theory

Collaborative Planning
 Collaborative Planning
Development of the Concept
Background
Since 1960s development plans were no longer spatial blueprints rather statements
of policy principles with spatial specification.
Land and property development processes were shaped by not just the lever of
planning processes contained in development plans.
Planning system was emerged as a mechanism for mediating among conflicting
interests at various scale
Debate regarding the strategic spatial planning
Inspiration
1. The perception of planning as an interactive process
2. The understanding of planning as a governance activity
3. Planning and policy initiatives concerned with maintaining the qualities of places
4. Moral commitment to social justice (a just outcome justly arrived)
 Collaborative Planning
Critical commentary and
explanations
The metaphor collaborative planning was used
and misused by politicians
Participative processes in project design and
development were also labeled by the metaphor.
New forms of partnership with new partners and
practices
The practice often was far from the inclusionary
qualities
Fueled the critical commentary from
 Collaborative Planning
Criticisms
Neglect context and focus too much
on process
Lack an adequate base in social theory
Neglect of power
Two biases according to Patsy Healey-
Search for more inclusionary
governance process in multi-cultural
context

 Collaborative Planning
The treatment of context
The emphasis on process
The lack of social theory
Reject the idea that all significant social relations are driven by a
single structuring force.
When collaborative process is likely to encourage inclusivity and
creativity and improve life conditions and when likely to be
merely mechanisms to sustain old power relations.

The treatment of power

Pervasive and multi-level power dimension of all relations is both
authoritative and generative.
Importance of agonistic strategies of direct resistance
 Collaborative Planning
The treatment of institutionalism
Interrelation between episodes of governance and the broader
socio-economic and political context.

Explanation of biases
Assess the impact of interventions on people and places taking
as inclusionary a view as possible
Governance of place