Challenging the doxa of planning for certainty: a case study of Melbourne and its implications for strategic spatial

planning theory and practice

Cael Leskovec, RMIT University

Contents
Context Research Concern and Aims Research Questions Methodology Case Study Design Research Process Data Analysis Timetable References Questions

Context
Strategic spatial planning, known also as strategic planning, spatial planning and metropolitan planning, is a term used to describe the planning process of shaping the long-term future of a city or region through the production of a vision, actions and means for implementation (Albrechts, 2004; Healey, 2004)

Context
Strategic spatial planning can be considered to have two main narratives (Albrechts, 2006): 1. The master narrative of traditional, rational approaches 2. An emerging narrative of alternatives approaches that recognise the inability of traditional approaches to operate within a complex and uncertain world

Context
Master narrative Strategic spatial planning has traditionally sought to provide control and certainty for cities and regions (Albrechts, 2006) Influenced by rational planning approaches
Blueprint planning Synoptic planning Communicative planning

The provision of certainty has today become an unquestioned truth, a doxa, in metropolitan strategic spatial planning and the wider planning system in Australia (KPMG, 2010; Searle and Bunker, 2010)

Context
Emerging narrative However, there has been recognition that strategic spatial planning is incapable of dealing with the environmental, economic, political uncertainties of a complex and rapidly changing world (Balducci et al., 2011) Uncertainty consists of both environmental uncertainty and process uncertainty (Abbott, 2005) Strategic spatial planners have traditionally addressed uncertainty in three ways:
1. 2. 3. Better data collection and modelling Avoiding it Deferring it

Traditional strategic spatial plans are static documents, unable to adapt to uncertainties (Friedmann, 2004) Cities are currently challenged to find spatial forms suited to uncertainty

Context
Emerging narrative Despite increasing recognition of the need for more flexible strategic spatial planning to adapt to uncertainties, there have been just a few attempts to devises new approaches:
Milan, Italy Rotterdam, Netherlands Troms, Norway Melbourne, Australia

These cases highlight the potential for a change to the way planners do strategic spatial planning

Research Concern and Aims

This research project is concerned with understanding how strategic spatial planning might deal with uncertainty The research project has two key aims: 1. To discover how and why the doxa of providing certainty came into existence and has continued to be reproduced in strategic spatial planning in Melbourne, Australia; and 2. To determine the implications of the doxa for strategic spatial planning theory and practice.

Research Questions
To achieve its aims, the research project asks five questions: 1. What is the nature of the doxa of certainty in strategic spatial planning in Melbourne? 2. What have been the implications of strategic spatial planning for certainty in an uncertain world? 3. How successful was Melbourne 2030s attempt to achieve more flexible strategic spatial planning and challenge the doxa of strategic spatial planning for certainty? 4. Is more flexible strategic spatial planning possible? 5. What would a framework for more flexible strategic spatial planning look like?

Methodology
Post-structural methodology Post-structural theory has been used to explain the relationship between strategic spatial planning and uncertainty There is a need for a strong post-structuralist frame to underlay the creative work of strategic practice in a conceptualisation of the complexities of urban dynamics, their multiple relationalities, their openness to change and their potential to become otherwise (Balducci et al., 2011)

Methodology
Foucaultian genealogical approach Methodological approach to historical analysis developed in the 1970s by Foucault Used to explain the development of a deep-seated practice or belief that is held to be fact (Williams, 2005) Concerned with discovering how discursive and nondiscursive practices are related by forces of power to form a wide-held belief (Foucault, 1977; 1978; 1984) Relatively unused in the planning domain However, has been used well by planners (e.g., Boyer, 1983; Fischler, 1998)

Methodology
Foucaultian genealogical approach Begins with the problematisation of an ingrained and accepted practice or belief (Williams, 2005) Requires the discovery of the dispositifs of the problem
The ensemble consisting of discourse, institutions, architectural forms, regulatory decisions, laws, administrative measures, scientific statements, philosophical, moral and philanthropic propositions in short, the said as much as unsaid (Foucault, 1980: 194195) Rediscovering the connections, encounters, supports, blockages, plays of forces, strategies and so on, that at a given moment establish what subsequently counts as being self-evident, universal and necessary (Foucault, 2000: 226-227)

Eventalising the problem

Case Study Design

A case study design was chosen for a number of reasons: Case study aligns with this projects research aims and questions Provides the opportunity to provide a detailed explanation of an unfamiliar phenomenon A single-case study design was selected for a number of reasons: A shortage of suitable cases Sufficient depth and detail

Case Study Design

Melbourne was selected as a single-case study for a number of reasons: There exists in Melbourne a doxa of providing certainty within strategic spatial planning Melbourne has a rich strategic spatial planning history The strategic spatial planning history of Melbourne remains underexplored The case is local

Research Process
The research process is divided into two sections: 1. Literature review 2. Data collection
Archival research Interviews

Research Process
Literature Review Undertake a further and more in-depth review and analysis of published literature relevant to the project To determine the implications of strategic spatial planning for certainty in an uncertain world (RQ2) To help determine whether more flexible strategic spatial planning is possible according to the published literature (RQ4) Ongoing process

Research Process
Archival research Undertake archival research focusing on:
Strategic spatial plans and associated documents Planning authority documents

To discover how and why the doxa of providing certainty came into existence and continued to be reproduced in strategic spatial planning in Melbourne (RQ1) Archival resources include:
DoT Library State Library of Victoria National Library of Australia Trove Repository RMIT University Library University of Melbourne Library Private collections

Research Process
Interviews Undertake qualitative, semi-structured interviews with key informants To further explain the doxa of strategic spatial planning for certainty (RQ1) To determine the successfulness of Melbourne 2030s attempt to achieve more flexible strategic spatial planning and challenge the doxa (RQ3)
To determine if flexible strategic spatial planning if possible (RQ4) To determine what a framework for more flexible strategic spatial planning would look like (RQ5)

20-30 interviews Snowballing Triangulation Ethics approval

Data Analysis
Discourse analysis approach Archival research Thematic analysis approach Interviews

Timetable

References
Abbott, J. (2005). Understanding and managing the unknown. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 24(3), 237-251. Albrechts, L. (2004). Strategic (spatial) planning reexamined. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 31(5), 743-758. Albrechts, L. (2006a). Bridge the gap: from spatial planning to strategic projects. European Planning Studies, 14(10), 1487-1500. Balducci, A., Boelens, L., Hillier, J., Nyseth, T., & Wilkinson, C. (2011). Introduction: Strategic spatial planning in uncertainty: theory and exploratory practice. Town Planning Review, 82(5), 481-501. Boyer, M. C. (1983). Dreaming the Rational City: The Myth of American City Planning. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. Fischler, R. (1998). Toward a genealogy of planning: zoning and the Welfare State. Planning Perspectives, 13(4), 389-410. Friedmann, J. (2004). Strategic spatial planning and the longer range. Planning Theory and Practice, 5 (1), pp. 49-67. Foucault, M. (1980). Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews and Other Writings, 1972-1977. New York: Pantheon Books. Foucault, M. (1984). Nietzsche, Genealogy, History. In P. Rainbow (Ed.), The Foucault Reader. London: Penguin Book. Foucault, M. (1988). The History of Sexuality (R. Hurley, Trans.). New York: Vintage Books. (Original work published 1978). Foucault, M. (1995). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison (A. Sheridan, Trans.). New York: Vintage Books. (Original work published 1977). Foucault, M. (2000). Questions of method. In J. Faubion (Ed.), Power: Essential Works of Foucault, 1954-1984 (Vol. 3). London: Penguin. Healey, P. (2004). The treatment of space and place in the new strategic spatial planning in Europe. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 28(1), 45-67. KPMG. (2010). Built Environment Meets Parliament: Spotlight on Australia's Capital Cities: An Independent Assessment of City Planning Systems. Sydney: KPMG. Rapley, T. (2011). Some Pragmatics of Qualitative Data Analysis. In D. Silverman (Ed.), Qualitative Research: Issues of Theory, Method and Practice (3rd ed.). London: SAGE Publications. Searle, G., & Bunker, R. (2010). Metropolitan strategic planning: an Australian paradigm? Planning Theory, 9(3), 163-180. Williams, A. (2005). Genealogy as Methodology in the Philosophy of Michel Foucault. Paper presented at the London Foucault Circle Seminar Series, University of East London, UK.

Questions?