Fundamental Planning Knowledge: Planning Theory Flashcards
Cover topics likely covered on AICP as they relate to planning theory.
What is meant by “Synoptic Rationality”? What does it entail?
Synoptic Rationality is also called the Rational Comprehensive Approach; it is the most frequently discussed and used planning approach. It relies heavily on the notion of the “rational man” who behaves in such away as to maximize his utility or satisfaction. Represents an effort to apply the tenets of the scientific method to urban community.
What steps or elements does the Rational Comprehensive Planning Approach include?
Most descriptions of rational planning include some mention of the following steps, as outlined by Banfield and Meyerson in 1955:
(1) Goals. What do we want to accomplish? Goal setting.
(2) Alternatives. What courses of action are potentially available for accomplishing our goals?
(3) Consequences. What consequences, both positive and negative, might be expected to result from the major alternatives under consideration?
(4) Choice. In light of the above steps– and given the values that are most important to us–which alternative should be pursue?
(5) Implementation. Having settled on a course of action, how shall we carry it out?
(6) Evaluation. To what extent is our chosen course of action achieving the goals at which it is aimed.
What are the steps typically involved in the rational-planning rooted practice of “Strategic Planning.”
Policy or decision-making processes carried out under the rubric of strategic planning often contain at least the following elements:
(1) A mission statement. What is the organizations basic purpose, and who are its major stakeholders.
(2) A “SWOT” analysis. Identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
(3) An analysis of specific issues that the organization needs to address.
(4) The development of a detailed and compelling vision for the organization’s future.
(5) The development of a set of action strategies for achieving that vision.
What is mean’t by “satisficing” and who is known for coining the term.
Herbert Simon, known for developing the “principle of bounded rationality” suggests that as a result of the limited capacity of our human mind, we “satisfice”–i.e. settle for a course of action that is merely “good enough” for the purposes at hand.
Who championed the idea of “Incremental Planning”?
Charles Lindbloom described deicsion making as a serious of small, incremental steps in the article, “The Science of Muddling Through.” (1959)
How can “Incremental Planning” be defined?
Incremental planning can be defined as a mixture of intuition, experience, rubes of thumb, various techniques combined with an endless series of consultations to produce results.
Transactive Planning
The transactive planning approach relies on the experience of people’s lives to examine policy issues. Often performed in face to face contact with people affected by decisions and policy. Transactive planning consists less of field surveys and data analysis and more of interpersonal dialogue and a process of mutual learning. It is decentralized, supporting people taking increasing control over the social processes that govern their welfare.
Advocacy Planning
Planning movement spearheaded by Paul Davidoff that grew up int he 1960s. Was usually applied to defending the interest of weak or poorly represented groups.
