Linking Planning Theory, Implementation Analysis and Planning Law: Planners' Beacon, Compass and Scale

Abstract

The privilege of being selected to write my academic autobiography for this special book faced me with the challenge of delving inwards into my “academic being”. I now realize that three seemingly unconnected themes have been intertwined in my work: planning theory, implementation analysis, and planning law. I picture them as the beacon, the compass, and the scale. Planning theory is the beacon because it provides planners with the normative-ethical light, with a sense of public mission. Implementation analysis is the compass because it offers realistic directions that planners should take in order to achieve their missions. Planning law is the scale – the proverbial symbol of justice. It helps planners to balance contending goals and interests. However, what is considered appropriate or just also differs from country to country. So, I have adopted the powerful perspective of cross-national comparison to provide an additional sense of scale. The connections among these ingredients are the backbone of this chapter. Interspersed are chronological accounts of my roles as a student, planning educator, builder of new academic institutions, and a researcher with a resolve to transfer knowledge across continents and disciplines.

Keywords: planning theory, planning law, compartive analysis