Abstract
“A fresh look at planning theory and practice, providing a comparative perspective with a focus on issues of equity and social justice.”—Gary Hack, University of Pennsylvania School of Design
“A much needed and welcome contribution to our study of cities, planning and change. Written and edited by internationally renowned authors, the work reestablishes the importance of place and people in the discourse of cities and planning during an era of uncertainty, austerity and economic rejuvenation. With discussion of the global economic downturn, the protest movement, poverty alleviation, the role of housing and neighborhoods, and the fate of different citizens in these turbulent times, the book challenges the continued clamor for neoliberal thinking. It reminds ‘the one percent’ that inequality and social justice need to be tackled and people’s concerns will be heard in governments. This is not the story of city planning: it’s the story of the way we live today.”—Mark Tewdwr-Jones, Newcastle University
“In our urban century the majority of the people on our planet will live in cities. Urban agglomerations tend to become the ultimate ‘destiny’ of mankind, with unforeseen challenges. In the ‘new urban world’ dominated by connected cities and urban networks, our society will face serious concerns related to housing, sustainable modes of living, poverty, employment, accessibility and economic vitality. These issues are too important to be left to the uncertain and hidden hand of market mechanisms. This volume offers a refreshing collection of studies and insights regarding the complex governance of human settlements, from the perspective of justice, in our new urban world.”—Peter Nijkamp, VU University Amsterdam
The contributors of Policy, Planning, and People argue for the promotion of social equity and quality of life by designing and evaluating urban policies and plans. Edited by Naomi Carmon and Susan S. Fainstein, the volume features original essays by leading authorities in the field of urban planning and policy, mainly from the United States, but also from Canada, Hungary, Italy, and Israel. The contributors discuss goal setting and ethics in planning, illuminate paradigm shifts, make policy recommendations, and arrive at best practices for future planning.
Policy, Planning, and People includes theoretical as well as practice-based essays on a wide range of planning issues: housing and neighborhood, transportation, surveillance and safety, the network society, regional development and community development. Several essays are devoted to disadvantaged and excluded groups such as senior citizens, the poor, and migrant workers. The unifying themes of this volume are the values of equity, diversity, and democratic participation. The contributors discuss and draw conclusions related to the planning process and its outcomes. They demonstrate the need to look beyond efficiency to determine who benefits from urban policies and plans.