Planning in Ten Words or Less : A Lacanian Entanglement with Spatial Planning

This book takes a Lacanian, and related post-structuralist perspective to demythologize ten of the most heavily utilised terms in spatial planning: rationality, the good, certainty, risk, growth, globalization, multi-culturalism, sustainability, responsibility and 'planning' itself. It highlights that these terms, and others, are mere 'empty signifiers', meaning everything and nothing. Based on international examples of planning practice and process, Planning in Ten Words or Less suggests that spatial and urban planning is largely based on the construction and deployment of ideological knowledge claims. This Work Attempts To Demythologise 10 Of The Most Heavily Utilised Terms In Spatial Planning: Rationality, The Good, Certainty, Risk, Growth, Globalisation, Multi-culturalism, Sustainability, Responsibility And Planning Itself. It Argues That These Terms, And Others, Are Mere 'empty Signifiers', Meaning Everything And Nothing. Planning As An Empty Signifier -- The Lack Of Certainty -- Prescribing The Good -- The Haunting Of Risk -- Is Smart Growth Dumb? -- Pressures Of Competitive Globalisation -- Multiculturalism : The Other Always Steals My Enjoyment -- Sustainability Of And For The Market? -- Responsibility To Whom? -- Beyond The Mere Rationality Of Planning. Michael Gunder, Jean Hillier. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.