The potential of planning
Are our planning laws (a system of land use and development regulation) a “tool for living within our limits”?
Potential Premised on rational decision making (rather than leaving things to the market). Well established limitation of private property rights for greater common good Geographically based, integrated regulation of land use change Democratic potential – local government role and citizen participation Strategic planning involves inquiry, foresight, long term policy horizons
But... Private property rights and market power very difficult to tame (planning or development facilitation?) Institutionally rich but also institutionally weak Very much operates within a growth and development paradigm – “sustainable development” = sustaining BAU Foresight with big blind spots