Centenary paper: The evolution of planning as an academic discipline

Town Planning Review (2010), 81, (6), 613–646.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2010.24
Language: English
Pages: 34

Abstract

As British planning education celebrates its centenary, there remain unresolved questions about its distinct disciplinary identity. This paper argues that although planning has evolved into an academic discipline in institutional terms, its intellectual underpinning has remained ill-defined. Periodic changes to planning education have neglected the epistemic aspects of the discipline and the clarification of its distinct identity. Based on a critical review of the evolution of the discipline, structured under five distinct phases, the paper concludes that ambiguity about the nature of planning knowledge may lead to the weakening of its position as a distinct academic discipline. Three key areas are identified as the focus for future debate: space as the discipline's substantive object of enquiry, the nature of integrative knowledge, and the interface between knowledge and action.

FormatArticle

£25.00

READ THIS ARTICLE

If you have private access to this content, please log in with your username and password here

ADAMS, F. J. (1949), 'The planning schools: 1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology', Town Planning Review, XX, 144–49. The planning schools: 1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Town Planning Review XX 144 49 Google Scholar

ADSHEAD, S. D. (1911), 'Report on the October 1910 Town Planning Conference', Town Planning Review, 1, 178. Report on the October 1910 Town Planning Conference Town Planning Review 1 178 Google Scholar

ARAM, J. (2004), 'Concepts of interdisciplinarity: configurations of knowledge and action', Human Relations, 57, 379–412. Concepts of interdisciplinarity: configurations of knowledge and action Human Relations 57 379 412 Google Scholar

ATKINSON, R. and MOON, G. (1994), Urban Policy in Britain, London, Macmillan. Urban Policy in Britain Google Scholar

AUDI, R. (1996), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy Google Scholar

BAKER, V. (1997), 'The perils and promises of interdisciplinarity in the humanities', in: L. Pyenson (ed) Disciplines and interdisciplinarity: in the new Century, Lafayette, LA, University of Southwestern Louisiana Press. The perils and promises of interdisciplinarity in the humanities Disciplines and interdisciplinarity: in the new Century Google Scholar

BARNES, B. (1982), T. S. Kuhn and the Social Sciences, London, Macmillan. T. S. Kuhn and the Social Sciences Google Scholar

BATEY, P. (1993), 'Town planning education as it was then', Planning Careers and Education, 79, 25, 33. Google Scholar

BATEY, P. (2003), 'Introductory note, The Planning Education Commission's report', Town Planning Review, 74, 331–32. 'Introductory note, The Planning Education Commission's report' Town Planning Review 74 331 32 Google Scholar

BATTY, M. (1984), Information technology in planning education (Papers in Planning Research 80, Department of Town Planning), Cardiff, University of Wales College of Cardiff. Google Scholar

BECHER, T. (1981), 'Towards a definition of disciplinary cultures', Studies in Higher Education, 6, 109–22. Towards a definition of disciplinary cultures Studies in Higher Education 6 109 22 Google Scholar

BIRCH, E. L. and SILVER, C. (2009), 'One hundred years of city planning's enduring and evolving connections', Journal of the American Planning Association, 75, 113–22. One hundred years of city planning's enduring and evolving connections Journal of the American Planning Association 75 113 22 Google Scholar

BOYLE, R. (2003), 'Comments on the RTPI's Education Commission and its implications for planning education', Town Planning Review, 74, 354–58. Comments on the RTPI's Education Commission and its implications for planning education Town Planning Review 74 354 58 Google Scholar

BROWN, C., CLAYDON, J. and NADIN, V. (2003), 'The RTPI's Education Commission: context and challenges', Town Planning Review, 74, 333–45. The RTPI's Education Commission: context and challenges Town Planning Review 74 333 45 Google Scholar

CHERRY, G. E. (1974), The Evolution of British Town Planning, Bedfordshire, Leonard Hill Books. The Evolution of British Town Planning Google Scholar

COLLINS, M. P. (1989), 'A review of 75 years of planning education at UCL', The Planners, 23 June, 114. Google Scholar

DAGENHART, R. and SAWICKI, D. (1992), 'Architecture and planning: the divergence of two fields', Journal of Planning Education and Research, 12, 1.16. Google Scholar

DAVOUDI, S. (2000), 'Sustainability: a new vision for the British planning system', Planning Perspectives,15, 123–37. Sustainability: a new vision for the British planning system Planning Perspectives 15 123 37 Google Scholar

DAVOUDI, S. (2006), 'Evidence-based planning: rhetoric and reality', DISP, 165, 14–25. Evidence-based planning: rhetoric and reality DISP 165 14 25 Google Scholar

Google Scholar

DAVOUDI, S. (2009b), 'Asymmetric development in spatial planning: positivist content and postmodernist processes?' in: S. Davoudi and I. Strange (eds.), Space and Place in Strategic Spatial Planning, London, Routledge, 181–207. 'Asymmetric development in spatial planning: positivist content and postmodernist processes?' Space and Place in Strategic Spatial Planning 181 207 Google Scholar

DAVOUDI, S. and STRANGE, I. (2009), 'Space and place in the twentieth century planning: an analytical framework and an historical review', in: S. Davoudi and I. Strange (eds.), Space and Place in Strategic Spatial Planning, London, Routledge, 7–42. Space and place in the twentieth century planning: an analytical framework and an historical review Space and Place in Strategic Spatial Planning 7 42 Google Scholar

DAVOUDI, S. and WHITNEY, D. (2005), 'British planning education: past, present and the future', Urban, 10, 17–33. British planning education: past, present and the future Urban 10 17 33 Google Scholar

DEACON, R. (2002), 'Truth, power, and pedagogy: Michel Foucault on the rise of the disciplines', Educational Philosophy and Theory, 34, 435–58. Truth, power, and pedagogy: Michel Foucault on the rise of the disciplines Educational Philosophy and Theory 34 435 58 Google Scholar

ELLIOT, P. (1972), The Sociology of Professions, London, MacMillan. The Sociology of Professions Google Scholar

ELLIS, G., MURTAGH, B. and COPELAND, L. (2010), The Future of the Planning Academy: A Scoping Report, London, Royal Town Planning Institute. The Future of the Planning Academy: A Scoping Report Google Scholar

EVANS, B. (1995), Experts and Environmental Planning, Aldershot, Averbury. Experts and Environmental Planning Google Scholar

EVANS, B. and RYDIN, Y. (1997), 'Planning professionalism and sustainability', in: A. Blowers and B. Evans (eds), Town Planning into the Twenty-first Century, London, Routledge, 55–70. Planning professionalism and sustainability Town Planning into the Twenty-first Century 55 70 Google Scholar

FALUDI, A. (1973), Planning Theory, Oxford, Pergamon. Planning Theory Google Scholar

FOUCAULT, M. (1991), Discipline and Punish; The Birth of the Prison, London, Penguin. Discipline and Punish; The Birth of the Prison Google Scholar

FREIDSON, E. (1994), Professionalism Reborn: Theory, Prophecy and Policy, Cambridge, Polity Press. Professionalism Reborn: Theory, Prophecy and Policy Google Scholar

FRIEDMANN, J. (1998), 'Planning theory revisited', European Planning Studies, 6, 245–50. Planning theory revisited European Planning Studies 6 245 50 Google Scholar

FRIEDMANN, J. (1987), Planning in the Public Domain, Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press. Planning in the Public Domain Google Scholar

FULLER, S. (1991), Social Epistemology, Indianapolis, Indiana University Press. Social Epistemology Google Scholar

GEDDES, P. (1915), Cities in Evolution, London, Williams and Norgate. Cities in Evolution Google Scholar

GOODLAD, S. (1979), 'What is an academic discipline?' in R. Cox (ed), Cooperation and Choice in Higher Education, London, University of London Teaching Methods Unit. What is an academic discipline? Cooperation and Choice in Higher Education Google Scholar

grant, m. (1999), Planning as a Learned Profession, http://www.planning.haynet.com/refe/docs/990115.htm Google Scholar

GRIEB, K. (1974), 'Area studies and the traditional disciplines', The History Teacher, 7, 228–38. Area studies and the traditional disciplines The History Teacher 7 228 38 Google Scholar

HAGUE, C. (1975), 'Apathy and after', Planning, 104, 8. Apathy and after Planning 104 8 Google Scholar

HAGUE, C. (1996), Transforming Planning: Transforming the Planners (paper presented at the 50th Anniversary Conference of Department of Town and Country Planning, University of Newcastle, 25–27 October 1996, Newcastle). Google Scholar

HALL, P. (2002), Cities of Tomorrow, 3rd edn, Oxford, Blackwell. Cities of Tomorrow Google Scholar

HEALEY, P. (1985), 'The professionalisation of planning in Britain: its form and consequences', Town Planning Review, 56(4), 492–507. The professionalisation of planning in Britain: its form and consequences Town Planning Review 56 492 507 Google Scholar

HEALEY, P. (1991), 'The content of planning education programmes: some comments from recent British experience', Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 18, 177–89. The content of planning education programmes: some comments from recent British experience Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 18 177 89 Google Scholar

HEALEY, P. (1994), Education for Planning: A Continuous Process (Paper presented in ISOCARP Congress: Expanding demands on planning, 8–10 September, Prague). Google Scholar

HEALEY, P. (2007), Urban Complexity and Spatial Strategies: Towards a Relational Planning for Our Times, London, Routledge. Urban Complexity and Spatial Strategies: Towards a Relational Planning for Our Times Google Scholar

HMSO (1942), Report of the Committee on Land Utilisation in Rural Areas (cmd 6378), London, HMSO. Google Scholar

HOLFORD, W. G. (1949), 'The planning schools, 2. University College London', Town Planning Review, XX, 283–87. The planning schools, 2. University College London Town Planning Review XX 283 87 Google Scholar

HOLMES PERKINS, G. (1950), 'The planning schools: 3. Harvard University', Town Planning Review, XX, 315–18. The planning schools: 3. Harvard University Town Planning Review XX 315 18 Google Scholar

HUNT, J. and SHACKLEY, S. (1999), 'Reconceiving science and policy: academic, fiducial and bureaucratic knowledge', Minerva, 37, 141–64. Reconceiving science and policy: academic, fiducial and bureaucratic knowledge Minerva 37 141 64 Google Scholar

JOHNSON, T. J. (1972), Professions and Power, London, MacMillan. Professions and Power Google Scholar

JOHNSON, T. J. (1982), 'The state and the professions: peculiarities of the British', in: A. Giddens and G. Mackenzie (eds), Social Class and the Division of Labour, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. The state and the professions: peculiarities of the British Social Class and the Division of Labour Google Scholar

KAIN, J. F. (1970), 'Rampant schizophrenia: the case of city and regional planning', Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 36, 221–23. Rampant schizophrenia: the case of city and regional planning Journal of the American Institute of Planners 36 221 23 Google Scholar

KANTOROWICH, R. H. (1967), 'Education for planning', Journal of the Town Planning Institute, 53, 175–84. Education for planning Journal of the Town Planning Institute 53 175 84 Google Scholar

KENT JR., T. J. (1950), 'The planning schools: 4. University of California, Berkeley, California', Town Planning Review, XXI, 18–26. The planning schools: 4. University of California, Berkeley, California Town Planning Review XXI 18 26 Google Scholar

KLEIN, J. THOMPSON (1990), Interdisciplinarity; History, Theory, and Practice, Detroit, IL, Wayne State University Press. Interdisciplinarity; History, Theory, and Practice Google Scholar

KRISHNAN, A. (2009), What are Academic Disciplines? Some Observations on the Disciplinarity vs. Interdisciplinarity Debate, Southampton, University of Southampton, ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Working paper Series 03/09. Google Scholar

Google Scholar

LARSON, M. S. (1977), The Rise of Professionalism: A Sociological Analysis, Berkeley, CA, University of California. The Rise of Professionalism: A Sociological Analysis Google Scholar

LAU, L. and PASQUINI, M. (2008), 'Jack of all trades? The negotiation of interdisciplinarity within geography', Geoforum, 39, 552–60. Jack of all trades? The negotiation of interdisciplinarity within geography Geoforum 39 552 60 Google Scholar

LOW, N. (1991), Planning Politics and the State, London, Unwin Hyman. Planning Politics and the State Google Scholar

LUNDHAL, I. (1996), 'Doctoral studies between academy and profession: a survey in AESOP members schools in Europe', AESOP News, Autumn, 11–12. Google Scholar

MARVIN, S. and PENDLEBURY, J. (2004), 'Planning research in the United Kingdom', in: A. Fubini (ed), Improving Planning Education in Europe, Milan, Franco Angeli. Planning research in the United Kingdom Improving Planning Education in Europe Google Scholar

MAWSON, J. and PENDLEBURY, J. (2003), The Supply and Demand for Qualified Town Planners, 6th report, London, RTPI. The Supply and Demand for Qualified Town Planners, 6th report Google Scholar

MCLAUGHLIN, J. B. (1973), 'The future of the planning profession', in: P. Cowan (ed.), The Future of Planning, London, Heinemann. The future of the planning profession The Future of Planning Google Scholar

MORAN, J. (2002), Interdisciplinarity: The New Critical Idiom, London, Routledge. Interdisciplinarity: The New Critical Idiom Google Scholar

MORRISON, W. S. (1943), 'Address to Town Planning Institute', Journal of Town Planning Institute, XXIX, 73. Address to Town Planning Institute Journal of Town Planning Institute XXIX 73 Google Scholar

MYERS, D. and BANERJEE, T. (2005), 'Towards greater heights for planning: reconciling the differences between profession, practice and academic field', Journal of the American Planning Association, 71, 122–29. Towards greater heights for planning: reconciling the differences between profession, practice and academic field Journal of the American Planning Association 71 122 29 Google Scholar

PATTON, C. V. (1989), 'Recent trends in planning education', Journal of Planning Education and Research, 8, 215–20. Recent trends in planning education Journal of Planning Education and Research 8 215 20 Google Scholar

PERLOFF, H. S. (1957), Education for Planning: City, State and Regional, Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins Press. Education for Planning: City, State and Regional Google Scholar

PEZZOLI, K. and HOWE, D. (2001), 'Planning pedagogy and globalisation: a content analysis of syllabi', Journal of Planning Education and Research, 20, 365–75. Planning pedagogy and globalisation: a content analysis of syllabi Journal of Planning Education and Research 20 365 75 Google Scholar

PLANNING (2004), 'Crash course to avert crisis', Planning, 6 February, p. 8. Google Scholar

Google Scholar

READE, E. J. (1987), British Town and Country Planning, Unit 19 (D202), Milton Keynes, The Open University. Google Scholar

RIG (RADICAL INSTITUTE GROUP) (1975), 'What is RIG?', Planning, 118, 8. Google Scholar

RODWIN, L. (1953), 'The Achilles heel of British town planning', Town Planning Review, 24, 22–34. The Achilles heel of British town planning Town Planning Review 24 22 34 Google Scholar

RTPI (THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE) (1971), Town Planners and Their Future, London, RTPI. Google Scholar

RTPI (THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE) (1974), Education Policy: Guidelines for Planning Schools, London, The Royal Town Planning Institute. Google Scholar

RTPI (THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE) (1982), Guidelines for Planning Schools, London, The Royal Town Planning Institute. Google Scholar

RTPI (THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE) (1991a), The Education of Planners: Policy Statement and General Guidance for Academic Institutions offering Initial Profession Education in Planning, London, The Royal Town Planning Institute. Google Scholar

RTPI (THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE) (1991b), Guidance on Initial Professional Education Programmes in Planning: Content and Performance Criteria, London, The Royal Town Planning Institute. Google Scholar

RTPI (THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE) (2001), A New Vision for Planning: Delivering Sustainable Communities, Settlements and Places, London, The Royal Town Planning Institute. Google Scholar

RTPI (THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE) (2003), Report of the Education Commission, London, RTPI. Google Scholar

RTPI (THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE) (2004), Policy Statement on Initial Planning Education, London, RTPI. Google Scholar

SANDS, R. G. (1993), 'Can you overlap here? A question for an interdisciplinary team', Discourse Processes, 16, 545–64. Can you overlap here? A question for an interdisciplinary team Discourse Processes 16 545 64 Google Scholar

SCHUSTER, SIR G. (1950), Report of the Committee on Qualifications of Planners (Cmd 8059), London, HMSO. Google Scholar

SHARP, T. (C. 1973), Chronicles of Failure (GB 186 THS 60), Newcastle upon Tyne. 296; available Special Collections, Newcastle University Library. Google Scholar

SHAW, T., PENDLEBURY, J. and MAWSON, J. (2003), The Supply and Demand for Qualified Town Planners, 5th Report, London, RTPI. 5th Report The Supply and Demand for Qualified Town Planners Google Scholar

SILLITOE, P. (2004), 'Interdisciplinary experiences: working with indigenous knowledge in development', Interdisciplinary Science Review, 29, 327–41. Interdisciplinary experiences: working with indigenous knowledge in development Interdisciplinary Science Review 29 327 41 Google Scholar

STEPHENSON, G. (1951), 'The planning schools: 7. The University of Liverpool', Town Planning Review, XXII, 84–87. The planning schools: 7. The University of Liverpool Town Planning Review XXII 84 87 Google Scholar

TAYLOR, N. (1998), Urban Planning Theory since 1945, London, Sage. Urban Planning Theory since 1945 Google Scholar

THOMAS, A. J. (1981), 'Developments within the education of British town planners', in: A. H. Thomas and K. Thomas (eds), Planning Education in the 1970s (working paper No. 55, Department Town Planning), Oxford, Oxford Polytechnic. Google Scholar

Google Scholar

TPI (TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE) (1959), Committee Minutes, VI. Google Scholar

TPR (TOWN PLANNING REVIEW) (1910), 'The Liverpool School of Town Planning', Town Planning Review, 1, 77–80. Google Scholar

TURNER, B. S. (2006), 'Discipline', Theory, Culture and Society, 23, 183–86. Discipline Theory, Culture and Society 23 183 86 Google Scholar

WARD, S. (2004), Planning and Urban Change, 2nd edn, London, Sage. Planning and Urban Change Google Scholar

WHITLEY, R. (2000), The Intellectual and Social Organisation of the Sciences, Oxford, Oxford University Press. The Intellectual and Social Organisation of the Sciences Google Scholar