Abstract
The aim of the study is to reveal the nature of learning in local land-use planning activity and to examine the
possibilities for the development of planning as a form of learning activity. The theoretical approach draws on
the pragmatist and dialectical reorientation of systems theory and the related theory of
learning organizations. The traditional, positivist systems approach to land-use planning is considered both to
depoliticize planning and to make it unreflective. Critical theory as
a basis of planning theory is also shown to be inadequate. Communicative planning theories that draw on critical
theory are rather theories of emancipation in the context of planning than theories of planning per
se. An alternative systems-theoretical view to land-use planning activity is presented, where
critical and constructive aspects as well as ethical and pragmatic aspects are interlinked in the
dialectical dynamics of planning as organizational and inter-organizational learning
activity.
Three subsystems within the system of local land-use planning are identified: expertise,
politics and economics. The subsystems of land-use planning build upon
the basic distinction between legitimate and illegitimate conduct. For each subsystem, the
context of its existence is formed by the interaction of all subsystems. By acting, each subsystem inevitably
changes its dialectical relationship to this context. Harmful changes are felt within the subsystem as inner
contradictions that interfere with its decision-making activity. If the subsystem is unable to face these
contradictions but instead resorts to the use of pathological power, they may develop into
paralyzing double bind situations. The resolution of a double bind situation requires
expansive learning by the subsystem.
However, there are also contradictions in land-use planning that the subsystems are unable to resolve by
expansive learning. Such inter-systemic contradictions stem from the dialectical
relationship between the overriding requirement of legitimacy on one hand and the basic goals of expert
knowledge and economic profit on the other. In the study a hypothesis is formulated, according to which these
basic - and, in the conditions of modern society, permanent - contradictions in local land-use
planning require such inter-organizational learning, which enables the creation of planning solutions that
provide means for their task-related harmonization, and, in the longer term, contributes to the emergence of a
participative planning culture where the contradictions can be handled legitimately, if not resolved.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:oulo.fi/oai:oulu.fi:isbn951-42-5844-4 |
| Date | 04 December 2000 |
| Creators | Mäntysalo, R. (Raine) |
| Publisher | University of Oulu |
| Source Sets | University of Oulu |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess, © University of Oulu, 2000 |
| Relation | info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/0355-3213, info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1796-2226 |
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