Readings in Planning Theory (Studies in Urban and Social Change) [Paperback]

Susan S. Fainstein (Author), Scott Campbell (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631223479 | ISBN-13: 978-0631223474 | Publication Date: February 12, 2003 | Edition: 2

The second edition of this very successful volume examines the current state of planning theory and the new directions it has taken in recent years.

• Examines the current state of planning theory and the new directions it has taken in recent years.
  
• Draws on a wide range of authors who address planning history, arguments for and against planning, competing planning styles, planning ethics, the public interest, and considerations of race and gender.
  
• Theoretical perspectives include political economy, postmodernism, communicative rationality, and feminism.
  
• Readings new to this edition examine themes emerging in planning theory, including a critique of the modernist roots of centralized planning, a reemphasis on space in planning, and a discussion of the difficulty of sustainable development.
  
• Features new case studies of planning success and failure in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
  
• Contains thirteen wholly new readings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Readings in Planning Theory is comprehensive, balanced, and stimulating. Of great use to both teachers and scholars, it is without a doubt the preeminent collection in planning theory available today."
—Mark Purcell, University of Washington

"This trenchant volume succeeds in a vital way: it provides a framework for theories of planning that will enable planning students and practitioners to explain their chosen field much more cogently."
—Lawrence J. Vale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Debates within planning theory define the nature of the planning activity. Through careful selection and thoughtful editing this substantially revised third edition of Readings in Planning Theory continues to be the definitive guide to the field."
—Heather Campbell, The University of Sheffield --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

The second edition of this very successful volume examines the current state of planning theory and the new directions it has taken in recent years. The editors have selected a set of classic and contemporary writings to address a central question: What role can planning theory play in making the good city and region within the constraints of a capitalist political economy and a democratic political system? The volume draws on a wide range of authors who address planning history, arguments for and against planning, competing planning styles, planning ethics, the public interest, and considerations of race and gender. Theoretical perspectives include political economy, postmodernism, communicative rationality, and feminism. Readings new to this edition examine themes emerging in planning theory, including a critique of the modernist roots of centralized planning, a reemphasis on space in planning, and a discussion of the difficulty of sustainable development. The second edition also features new case studies of planning success and failure in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In this second edition of Readings in Planning Theory the editors retain 10 of the 28 original readings from the first edition. Four other readings have been updated with more recent writings from the same author (the opening introduction and the chapters by Fainstein, Krumholz and Healey). Thirteen readings are wholly new.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (February 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631223479
• ISBN-13: 978-0631223474
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The cornerstones of planning theory, November 28, 2003

By 

Renato T. de Saboya (Florianópolis, SC Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Readings in Planning Theory (Studies in Urban and Social Change) (Paperback)

The autors present a superb choice of classical texts on the field of urban planning. I recommend it to all of those who want a good reference on some of the most important ideas that have shaped this field until now.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good selection, February 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Readings in Planning Theory (Paperback)

This book is a very good beginning for a student interested in urban and regional planning. The selections are great, one example is the classic article from Lindblom "The science of muddling through", with several arguments in favor to 'incrementalism'. Another classic is Davidoff's "Advocacy and pluralism in planning", and the text from Beauregard, Krumholz, Healy and Harvey.