Course content

This course is an introduction to planning theory, spanning historical perspectives on planning to contemporary debates and future scenarios. A central focus of the course is critical reflection on current urban challenges such as climate transition, social inequality, and digitalisation and the evolving role of the planner in urban development and the relevance of planning theory to planning practice. The course is structured into modules that cover: the historical development of key schools in planning theory; ethics and rationality in planning; the changing role of the planner in relation to other stakeholders in urban development; different approaches within planning theory that respond to address complex societal challenges associated with climate transition and justice, neo-liberal governance and social inequality. Using lectures, examples from real life planning processes and seminars, the course will illustrate the relationship between and the influence of theory on practice in planning practice. The course will also include methods of negotiation, conflict resolution and collaboration among stakeholders in planning, that are an essential part of contemporary planning practice.

Developing a critical understanding of key texts in planning and urban theory and writing well-argued analysis of planning processes will be a core of the course. These skills will also help students in preparing for their Master Thesis.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Students will be able to

• distinguish and characterise the key schools of thought within planning theory
• understand various ethical principles of planning within their own context
• develop a critical understanding of the social, environmental, and economic implications of development and change in planning theory
• critically reflect on the gap between theory and practice in planning

Skills

Students will be able to

• read and critique academic publications within planning theory
• write and present well-reasoned planning perspectives that connect theory to practice
• construct theoretical frameworks based on scholarly concepts in planning theory
• collect and systematically present publicly available information on planning processes

General Competence

Students will be able to

• explain the historical development of key schools within planning theory
• critically reflect on ethical issues and the planner’s role in society
• formulate arguments about the relationship between theory and practice
• reflect on their own professional role in light of critical planning theory

Learning methods and activities

• Lectures (theoretical and practice-based)
• Group presentations
• Seminars and academic discussions
• Academic writing
• Self-study and personal reflection

This course is also offered to international master's students. Language of instruction is English.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree or equivalent with a specialization of at least 80 ECTS credits in planning-related subject areas.

Course materials

The course will be based on relevant books and articles. A full reading list will be provided at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions