Speakers
Description
In the face of escalating global crises—spanning climate change, environmental degradation, and deepening social inequalities—the limitations of traditional spatial planning models have become starkly evident. This research critically examines the evolving role of spatial planning as a transformative tool in responding to the confluence of these crises, particularly within the context of the Anthropocene. It interrogates how urban and regional planning can not only mitigate ecological destruction but also dismantle the entrenched socio-economic structures that perpetuate inequality, exclusion, and vulnerability.
The central objective of this study is to explore spatial planning as a vehicle for systemic transformation in the current epoch of planetary crisis. By engaging with a diverse range of global case studies, the research uncovers the ways in which planning strategies—when rooted in principles of environmental resilience, social equity, and economic justice—can address the dual crises of ecological collapse and social inequity. The findings highlight an urgent need for a paradigm shift: one that reconfigures spatial planning from a tool of growth-oriented development to a mechanism for climate justice and spatial justice. This entails not only mitigating the impacts of climate change but also addressing the historical and structural inequalities embedded within urban and regional governance systems.
Through a critical analysis of planning practices, the research uncovers how prevailing models have reinforced cycles of marginalization, exclusion, and environmental degradation, often exacerbating the very problems they aim to solve. In particular, it underscores the failure of growth-driven planning models to acknowledge the limits of the planet's carrying capacity and the central role of social equity in achieving true resilience. The study further explores the potential for planning to foster inclusive, regenerative, and adaptive urban environments that prioritize equitable access to resources, opportunities, and public spaces, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.
The major conclusions of the research point to the necessity of a profound reimagining of spatial planning. It argues that planning should no longer be seen as a static, growth-driven practice but as a dynamic, context-responsive process grounded in principles of care, ethics, and spatial justice. Such an approach requires planners to move beyond the conventional metrics of success, which often prioritize economic growth at the expense of social and environmental well-being, and instead embrace a model that seeks to balance the needs of people and the planet. This transformation in planning practice, while urgent, also presents an opportunity to reframe urban futures in a way that fosters resilience, justice, and sustainability.
Ultimately, the research calls for a radical reconceptualization of urban planning—one that positions cities not as mere engines of economic growth but as complex, adaptive systems that contribute to the flourishing of both human and ecological communities. By adopting this framework, spatial planning has the potential to lead the way toward a more equitable, just, and sustainable global society—one that can withstand the challenges of the Anthropocene while fostering a future grounded in social and ecological justice.
References
Here is the reference list in Harvard style:
References:
Faludi, A. (2014) 'EUropeanization or Europeanization of spatial planning?', Planning Theory and Practice, 15(2), pp. 155-169.
OECD (2019) The circular economy in cities and regions. [Online] Available at: https://www.oecd.org/cfe/regionaldevelopment/circular-economy-cities.htm [Accessed 25 December 2024].
Sassen, S. (2011) Cities in a world economy. London: Sage Publications.
Friedmann, J. (2004) 'Globalization and the emerging culture of planning' (revised version of a paper originally prepared for UN-HABITAT). University of British Columbia.
| Keywords | Spatial Planning; Resilience; Social Justice; Ecological Sustainability; Anthropocene |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
