Urban Planning and Governance
Open access
Peer reviewed
Abstract
Abstract
This paper outlines a neopragmatist theory of planning. It argues that spatial planning operates under plurality, uncertainty, and conflict and cannot be understood as expert application, means–ends optimization, or consensus production. Following Richard Rorty, planning is redescribed as a fallibilist, legally and democratically legitimized practice of working with vocabularies, metaphors, and redescriptions that make spatial problems, possibilities, and futures negotiable. Drawing on Ralf Dahrendorf, the paper conceptualizes planning as affecting life chances by expanding or restricting options and stabilizing, transforming, or damaging ligatures. It offers a metatheoretical vocabulary for reflecting on planning’s usefulness, limits, conflicts, responsibilities, and side effects.
Direct answer
What can I do from this paper page?
Use this page to scan "Planning as redescription: Toward a neopragmatist theory of planning" quickly: start with the summary and abstract, then check the authors, source, topics, and related papers. From here, open Scollr to follow Urban Planning and Governance research, save the paper, or map adjacent work.
Research areas
Follow related topics
Citation
BibTeX
@article{Khne2026Planning,
title = {Planning as redescription: Toward a neopragmatist theory of planning},
author = {Olaf Kühne and Martin Müller and Karsten Berr},
journal = {Planning Theory},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1177/14730952261489959},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/14730952261489959}
}FAQ
Using this paper in a discovery workflow
How do I find related work for this paper?
Use the related papers and topic links on this page as starting points. In Scollr, you can also open the paper and build a literature map around its references, citing papers, and related work.
How can I keep up with new Urban Planning and Governance research papers?
Follow Urban Planning and Governance research in Scollr. New papers from the topic flow into a personalized feed, and you can save useful studies to revisit later.
Can I cite this paper from this page?
This page includes a static BibTeX block for Planning as redescription: Toward a neopragmatist theory of planning. Always verify the DOI, source, and publication details against the publisher record before submitting a manuscript.
Follow this research in Scollr
Follow the topics and authors behind this paper, save useful studies, and build a literature map when you are ready to go deeper.
Get the app