Planning Theory

Question 1

Rational Planning

Answer 1

pure rationality assumes that a planner has perfect knowledge of all the factors in a given situation and is able to evaluate all alternatives and isnt constrained by limits of time and money. since we can never have the complete information, we satisfied. cant be used with wicked problems. this theory can only work when the problem can be easily defined and there can be a best solution

Question 2

6 steps in Rational Planning

Answer 2

1. set goals
2. determine alternatives
3. evaluate alternatives
4. choose an alternative
5. implement the alternative
6. evaluate

Question 3

satisfice

Answer 3

a term that accepts that the human mind is limited in its ability to solve problems, so instead we choose alternatives that are good enough. coined by Herbert Simon

Question 4

wicked problems

Answer 4

problems that are complicated and difficuly to solve because there is no one root cause and no one alternative that can entirely solve it

Question 5

Incremental Planning

Answer 5

people make their plans and decisions in an incremental manner, accomplishing their goals through a series of successive, limited comparisons. planning as incremental, opportunistic, disjointed, and pragmatic. decision makers compare and evaluate in increments, not attempting to analyze alternatives in detail but instead considering where alternatives differ from one another or from what is being done presently. created by Charles Lindblom in his “The Science of Muddling Through”

Question 6

Mixed Scanning

Answer 6

views planning decisions at the big and small picture levels. argues that policy shaping decisions should be based on a more careful rational analysis of alternatives. implementation decisions should use an incremental approach. this is a compromise between the rational and incremental theories. created by Amitai Etzioni

Question 7

Advocacy Planning

Answer 7

a way to present the interests of groups within a community. planners should represent special interest groups rather than acting for the good of the whole community. planners should work to create plans that represent varying interest groups, resulting in plural plans for public consideration. created by Paul Davidoff, and adopted by Norman Krumholz in Cleveland

Question 8

Transactive Planning

Answer 8

the planner meets with the individuals in the community to discuss issues and help develop a plan. through a process of mutual learning, the planner shares technical knowledge, while citizens provide community knowledge. created by John Friedmann in “Retracking America: A Theory of Transactive Planning”

Question 9

Radical Planning

Answer 9

involves taking power away from the government and giving it to the people. citizens get together and develop their own plans. created by John Friedmann in his “Planning in the Public Domain: From Knowledge to Action”

Question 10

Communicative Planning

Answer 10

recognizes that planning operates within the realm of politics and that it contains a variety of stakeholder interests. 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 to discuss issues. the planner’s primary function is to listen to people’s views and assist in forging a consensus among different viewpoints by mediating stakeholders in discussions. currently the theory of choide among planning practitioners