APL230 Planning Theory

The course introduces planning theory and different ways of thinking about planning (so-called: Theories of planning). It opens up questions of the societal roles of planning, the relations between planning and politics, who planning is thought to be for and what can be considered ‘good’ planning. These are all questions of relevance for how one can understand the planning profession, the role of planning professionals, the craftsmanship of planning and planning ethics in the light of various theories of planning.

The course covers leading planning thinkers and different schools of thought focusing on planning ideas shaped in Western democracies - charting the histography of planning through and practice throughout the 21st century. The course follows the trajectory of planning ideas through history, emphasising planning ideas and key debates of relevance today as the course attempts to integrate a spectrum of past and contemporary planning theories. In the course, local and international examples will exemplify theory and enhance understanding of theory in planning practice.

At the end of this course, successful students will be able to...

Knowledge / comprehension

• … demonstrate a broad understanding of the role of planning theory’s literature by being able to position individual scientific articles within the canon of planning literature.
• … distinguish different schools of planning theory by identifying their core characteristics.

Application / analysis

• … evaluate different planning theories by comparing and contrasting between selected theories.
• … apply a planning theory to a contemporary practice scenario by developing a housing strategy and presenting it as a scientific poster.

Synthesis / evaluation​

• … discuss the relevance of planning theory for planning practice in general and for informing their future professional career by reflecting upon it in a 1,000-word synthesis.