Developments in American Town Planning Theory Since 1945

The end of WWII not only sparked great social and economic changes, but also changes to town planning theory and processes. In this week's reading, Nigel Taylor summarises these changes, and evaluates whether they can be defined as paradigm shifts (enduring world views) or not.

First Shift: Planners as Creative Designers to Scientific Analysts and Rational Decision Makers

Second Shift: Planners as Technical Experts to Managers and "Communicators"

Shift from Modernism to Postmodernism

A Modernist Building in Deakin ACT- simple and functional
Source: Google Maps 2011

A postmodernist Building- Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain- complexity and difference
Source: Innovative Buildings 2010

Since about the 1960's there has been a shift in western culture from modernism to postmodernism, and this has impacted the planning profession. The pictures above illustrate types of buildings common to each era, but also represent the shift in planning theory and processes. Jane Jacobs expressed desire for complexity within cities (a postmodernist view) in comparison to the likes of Ebenezer Howard and Le Corbusier who advocated for a simple (modernist) style.

Using Kuhn's definition of a paradigm shift, Taylor concludes that the shifts in planning are not classified as paradigm shifts because there has been a continuation of many elements instead of the complete overthrow of ideas. Although they may not be technically called paradigm shifts, the changes in urban and regional planning have been extensive. The profession has evolved from that of simply design oriented, to a complex, dynamic profession encompassing specific knowledge and skill across a range of areas as well as communication skills.

 I think it's possible that further shifts in planning may be influenced by factors such as the information techonology boom, or the impending risk of climate change.