705-382 Planning Theory and Politics of Urban Governance

Credit Points

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The subject traces the development of planning theory from its roots in the professions concerned with urbanisation to today's understanding of planning embedded in the politics of urban governance. The aim of the subject is to show how ideas of power, ethics and value in society underpin the modern practices of urban planning. The subject will review twentieth century planning theory in historical perspective: as professional practice, as applied social science, as practical social democracy, as rational procedure; and in liberal-pluralist, Marxist, critical humanist, neo-liberal, Weberian, feminist, postmodernist and ecological thought. Connections are made with theories of politics, democracy and the modern state. The development of planning theory is closely intertwined with change in planning practice so guest lecturers from the professional and political world will be invited to talk about planning practice and how it has changed, with Melbourne as the laboratory.

Assessment

A class paper of not more than 1000 words, a research essay or not more than 3000 words and a two hour exam.

Prescribed Texts

• Dear, M and Scott, A.J., Urbanization and Urban Planning in Capitalist Society. Methuen, London and New York, 1989.
• Faludi, A Reader in Planning Theory. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1973.
• Low, N., Planning, Politics and the State. Unwin Hyman.
• McLoughlin, J.B., Urban and Regional Planning, a Systems Approach. Faber and Faber, London, 1969.
• Thomas, H. (ed), Values and Planning. Aldershot, Avebury, 1994.