Theories of Planning Practice Flashcards
Theories of Planning Practice
Rational Incremental Mixed Scanning Advocacy Transactive Radical Communicative
The basic steps in rational planning are to:
Set Goals Determine Alternatives Evaluate the Alternatives Choose an Alternative Implement the Alternative Evaluate
satisfice
A term from rational planning. Coined by Herbert Simon. The term accepts that the human mind is limited in its ability to solve problems. We instead choose alternatives that are good enough. Simon argued that the rational “economic man” should be replaced by the “administrative man” who satisfies.
Criticisms of Rational Planning
Can’t solve wicked problems AND it doesn’t specify WHO sets the goals.
It cannot be used when we have “wicked” problems. Wicked problems are those that are complicated and difficult to solve.
Rational planning can only work when the problem can be easily defined and there can be the best solution.
Rationality is supposed to be value-free. Goals are based on public interest, defined as the good of the whole community. Rational planning should not be used if there is no consensus within a community on a particular issue.
Rational Planning
Rational planning was the dominant planning theory through the 1950s. While this model has been discredited, it can still be seen in use in all areas of the planning practice.
Where does Rational Planning still exist?
In particular, transportation planning is one area in which rational planning persists.
Incremental Planning origin
1959, Charles Lindblom published the article “The Science of Muddling Through”, which introduced the concept of incrementalism.
Incremental Planning
Planning has to be piecemeal, incremental, opportunistic, and pragmatic. Planning in the real world is not rational and comprehensive, but is instead disjointed and incremental.
Criticism of Incremental Planning
As with rational planning, incrementalism does not specify WHOSE values should be used in establishing goals.
Mixed Scanning origin
Amitai Etzioni in an 1967 article of Public Administrative Review. Presented as a third option to rational and incremental planning.
Mixed Scanning
Mixed scanning views planning decisions at two levels: the big picture and the small picture.
recognizing the difference between policy-changing decisions and implementation decisions.
Etzioni argued that fundamental policy-shaping decisions should be based on a more careful rational analysis of alternatives. Implementation decisions, on the other hand, should use an incremental approach.
Criticism of Mixed Scanning
As with the rational and incremental approaches, it does not identify WHO is involved in the process or whose values are used.
Advocacy Planning Origin
Developed in the 1960s by Paul Davidoff as a way to represent the interests of groups within a community.
Advocacy Planning
Davidoff argued that planners should represent special interest groups rather than acting for the good of the whole community
Planners, therefore, should work to create plans that represent varying interest groups, resulting in plural plans for public consideration.
Advocacy planning shifted for whom the planner plans, but it did not change what the planner does. The planner would still utilize rational and incremental approaches to planning.
Equity Planning
While advocacy planning promoted the planner as an advocate for special interest groups, some argued that the role of the planner should be to advocate specifically for the disadvantaged in the community. This is known as equity planning.
