eory of Planning’, rather than ‘eory in Planning’, should constitute

the core subject of planning theory (Faludi, 1973). By denition, ‘eory in Planning’
helps planners to understand their area of concern. It is also identied as a substantive
theory. ‘eory of Planning’ helps planners to understand themselves and their operating
methods. eory of planning is synonymous with procedural theory. Being largely
inuenced by the North American literature, Faludi took cognisance of social science in
understanding ‘eory of Planning’ which is concerned with organisation of planning
agencies and planners.
eory of Planning’, rather than ‘eory in Planning’, should constitute
the core subject of planning theory (Faludi, 1973). By denition, ‘eory in Planning’
helps planners to understand their area of concern. It is also identied as a substantive
theory. ‘eory of Planning’ helps planners to understand themselves and their operating
methods. eory of planning is synonymous with procedural theory. Being largely
inuenced by the North American literature, Faludi took cognisance of social science in
understanding ‘eory of Planning’ which is concerned with organisation of planning
agencies and planners.
eory of Planning’, rather than ‘eory in Planning’, should constitute
the core subject of planning theory (Faludi, 1973). By denition, ‘eory in Planning’
helps planners to understand their area of concern. It is also identied as a substantive
theory. ‘eory of Planning’ helps planners to understand themselves and their operating
methods. eory of planning is synonymous with procedural theory. Being largely
inuenced by the North American literature, Faludi took cognisance of social science in
understanding ‘eory of Planning’ which is concerned with organisation of planning
agencies and planners.
eory of Planning’, rather than ‘eory in Planning’, should constitute
the core subject of planning theory (Faludi, 1973). By denition, ‘eory in Planning’
helps planners to understand their area of concern. It is also identied as a substantive
theory. ‘eory of Planning’ helps planners to understand themselves and their operating
methods. eory of planning is synonymous with procedural theory. Being largely
inuenced by the North American literature, Faludi took cognisance of social science in
understanding ‘eory of Planning’ which is concerned with organisation of planning
agencies and planners.
PLANNING THEORY AND ITS TYPOLOGIES

Every action is carried out on the basis of pre-conceived idea that tries to imagine reality. Such an idea
is called theory. Planning educators in the UK came up with two distinct types of theory during the
early 1970s. Andreas Faludi’s first major contribution towards the field of planning theory came
through clearly distinguishing between these two theories and his argument that ‘Theory of Planning’,
rather than ‘Theory in Planning’, should constitute the core subject of planning theory (Faludi, 1973).

 Theories of Planning (Procedural Planning Theories)

 Theories in Planning (Substantive Planning Theories)
 Other planning scholars have argued that there is a third category of planning theories namely
Theories for Planning
By definition, ‘Theory in Planning’ helps planners to understand their area of concern. It is also
identified as a substantive theory. ‘Theory of Planning’ helps planners to understand themselves and
their operating methods. Theory of planning is synonymous with procedural theory. Being largely
influenced by the North American literature, Faludi took cognisance of social science in understanding
‘Theory of Planning’ which is concerned with organisation of planning agencies and planners. This
view was strongly resisted and Faludi was criticised for his position by his peers in UK, firstly because
the social sciences were an alien field to the planners, and secondly, and mainly, because of completely
discarding substantive theory and insisting on treating ‘Theory of Planning’ as planning theory proper.

THEORIES OF PLANNING (PROCEDURAL PLANNING THEORIES)

These theories deal with how to plan. For planners to solve or deal with certain problem situations, they
do not act in an ADHOC basis. But they follow certain procedures or predetermined steps .These
procedures are not uniform across all types of problems as different problems require different
approaches hence the need to apply different frameworks of analysis. A theoretical framework of
references which tries to guide how planners should do their planning is called the procedural planning
theories.
RATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
 The fundamental basis of rational model relates to the fact that, ‘man’ who is goal seeking is
faced with a problem of choice in choosing the best means or instruments to achieve his/her
goals.
 According to Banfield and Meyerson (1955) there are basically there are 3 steps which are
necessary to deal with choice of means.
 The decision maker considers all the alternatives open to him/her.
  He/she identifies and evaluates all the consequences which will follow from adoption of each
alternative.
 He/she selects that alternative which would be preferable in terms of his most valued ends.
(Compare with or without situations).
Thus comprehensive Planning has 2 major characteristics
i. It is characterized by comprehensiveness because the planner is required to consider all
alternatives and all the consequences of each alternative.
ii. Planning is an allocative mechanism, a means through which resources are allocated in the most
effective and efficient manner within a comprehensive frame work.
Criticism of the RC Model
The Rational Comprehensive Model has been subjected to criticism especially by those who favour
disjointed incrementalism.
 The mind is too small to grasp everything
 Difficult to assemble sufficient data
 Expensive-High cost implications.
 Limited resources-time, human resources,
 Long and dirty process –problems are not static and they shift resulting in type error 3.
 Does not adapt to change yet planning problems are dynamic.
 Lacks flexibility.
DISJOINTED INCREMETALISM
Under this style of planning, the planner will not attempt to achieve comprehensiveness. The
proponents of this approach maintain that comprehensiveness is an impossible ideal.
 It is difficult to achieve comprehensiveness because of a number of factors.
 An inability to predict the future beyond 5 years.
 Inability to discover community goals upon which all members can agree.
 A lack of knowledge of effective means to achieve goals.
 These factors force planners to work incrementally as these problems become evident. The
planners’ analysis is always partial-focusing on particular aspects of the problem at hand
without too much concern for externalities arising from these issues. In fact the planners’ see to
satisfice i.e to find a solution that is satisfactory and sufficient for the moment. They would not
attempt to analyse or identify all possible solutions to a particular problem.
 The planner will also attempt to devise programmes for achieving a particular goal or
objectives and will select programmes appropriate to the available resources that is strategic
planning by small increments- that the science of muddling through.
MIXED SCANNING
 The term was coined by Etzion (1967) but Meyerson (1956) preferred the term Middle Range
Bridge.
 It can also be referred to as the Third Approach because it is a marriage of 2 end parts that is the
synoptic idea of the RCM and incremental models.
 It recognizes both the RCM and DI.
 The major purpose of this model is that it affords the planner an opportunity to see the totality
of the planning environment.
  At a macro level the purpose is to identify what could be called pressing issues, danger spots
and areas in need of immediate attention. To single out a problem is not to say other areas do
not need attention but rather it is not possible do everything to the same degree everywhere at
the same time as there will be ever a present need to consciously and continuously discriminate
in the event of attention that other areas competing for the limited resources should receive.
 By extension the model also endorses part of the incrementalist approach because danger sports
and pressing issues identified through the application of the model will subsequently require a
direct approach

THEORIES IN PLANNING (SUBSTANTIVE THEORIES)

 They deal with the subject matter o the substantive matters of planning. These theories try to
contextualise the whole planning process. In much simpler terms substantive planning
theories deal with the Question ‘What to plan for?’
 Are dealing with Transport, Housing, population, project planning, urban design, rural
development, etc.
 These theories help to conceptualise or define problem under scrutiny.
 They make it easier for planners to comprehend a situation or a problem at hand.
1. NEIGHBOURHOOD THEORY
The term neighborhood is often used to describe the sub divisions of urban or rural settlements. In its
purest definition, a neighborhood is the vicinity in which people live. Neighbourhood unit idea was
proposed by Clarence Perry in 1929. Neighborhoods have some particular physical or social
characteristics that distinguish them from the rest of the settlement. The clustering of these
neighborhoods has formed towns, villages, and cities. The Neighbourhood unit plan in brief is the effort
to create a residential neighbourhood to meet the needs of family life in a unit related to the larger
whole but possessing a distinct entity.

1) Size 
The town is divided into self-contained units or sectors of 10,000 populations. This is further divided
into smaller units called neighbourhood unit with 2,000 to 5,000 based on the requirement of one
primary school. The size of the unit is therefore limited to about 1 to 1.5 sq km i.e. within walkable
distance of 10 to 15 minutes. 
2) Boundaries 
The unit should be bounded on all its sides by main road, wide enough for traffic. 
3) Protective Strips 
These are necessary to protect the neighbourhood from annoyance of traffic and to provide suitable
facilities for developing parks, playgrounds and road widening scheme in future. These are also called
Minor Green Belts. 
4) Internal Streets 
The internal streets are designed to ensure safety to the people and the school going children in
particular, since the mothers are anxious every day till the safe return of the child. The internal streets
should circulate throughout the unit with easy access to shops and community centres. 
5) Layout of Buildings 
To encourage neighbourhood relation and secure social stability and balance, houses to suit the
different income group should be provided such as single family houses, double family houses,
cottages, flats, etc. 
6) Shopping Centres 
Each shop should be located on the circumference of the unit, preferably at traffic junctions and
adjacent to the neighbourhood units. 
7) Community Centres 
Each community will have its centre with social, cultural and recreational amenities. 
 8) Facilities 
All public facilities required for the family for their comfort and convenience should be within easy
reach. These include the primary school, temple, club, retail shop, sport centre, etc. These should be
located within 1km in the central place so as to form a nucleus to develop social life of the unit.
2. SECTOR THEORY
In 1939, Homer Hoyt propounded an alternative theory of urban structure and its growth pattern called
Sector Model
1. CBD – Central Business District 
It is placed at the centre. In this area sectors and the partial rings of land use/activities take place. This
area is often known as downtown and has high-rise buildings. The inner-city area or downtown
represents many layers of the historic growth of many generations. It also reflects the impact of the
culture and traditions of the people who inhabited the city. As the cities expands and modern
technology and scientific innovations transformed the style of living and also the structure of the city,
open spaces were being eaten up by built forms resulting in a congested and unhealthy environment. 
2. Industry 
Industries are represented in the form of a sector radiating out from the centre. These forms sector
because of the presence of a transport linkage along which the activities grew. The presence of railway
line, rivers or roads would attract similar activity and thus a continuous corridor or ‘sector’ will
develop. 
3. Low-Class Residential Area
Low-income groups reside in this area. Narrow roads, high population density and small houses with
poor ventilation exist in this area. Roads are narrow and often connect to the industries where most of
the people in this sector work. Closeness to industries reduces the travel cost and thus attracts industrial
workers. Environmental and living conditions are often inadequate because of the proximity to
factories. 
4. Middle-Class Residential Area
This area has middle-income groups who can afford more substantial travel costs and want better living
conditions. The activities of people residing in this area consist of different activities and not just
industrial work. It has more linkages with CBD along with some linkages to industries. This area has
the most significant residential area. 
5. High-Class Residential Area 
This is the outermost and farthest area from the downtown (CBD). Wealthy and affluent people live in
this area. This area is clean, has less traffic. It is quiet and has large houses. The corridor or spine
extending from CBD to the edge has the best housing. 
 Features of sector model 
 The presence of low-income groups near industries supports Hoyt Model 
 The Hoyt model realized that transportation (in particular) and access to resources caused a
disruption of the Burgess model. 
 Transport linkages profoundly influence activities and their locations. Low transportation cost
and proximity to roads/railway reduce the cost of production. 
 Account for major transportation routes and its effect on activities 
The significance of Hoyt Model 
 Ecological factors and the economic rent concept to explain the land use pattern 
 Stress on the role of transport routes in affecting the spatial arrangement of the city 
 Both the distance and direction of growth from the city centre are considered 
 Brings location of industrial and values of environmental amenity as determinants in a
residential place 
Example: Sectors of high-class residential areas tend to grow towards higher grounds, sites with a
better view, more open space, the homes of influential leaders within the community and existing
outlying, smaller settlements. Within the residential sector, it has been observed through study that the
inner portions are found to be having older houses and newer constructions are found on the outer
fringes.
Limitations of Sector Model 
 Only Railway lines are considered for the growth of sectors and do not make allowances for
private vehicles. 
 It is a monocentric representation of cities; multiple business centres are not accounted for in
this model. 
 Physical features may restrict or direct growth along specific wedges 
 No reference to out-of-town development

3. RIGHT TO THE CITY

The right to the city is an idea and a slogan first proposed by Henri Lefebvre in his 1968 book Le Droit
à la Ville. This idea has been taken up more recently by social movements, thinkers, and certain
progressive local authorities as a call to action to reclaim the city as a co-created space: a place for life
detached from the growing effects that commodification and capitalism are proposed to have had over
social interaction and the rise of posited spatial inequalities in worldwide cities throughout the last two
centuries. The movement for the right to the city has developed as a response of social groups and civil
society organizations in an attempt to ensure better access to and opportunities for everyone living in
cities, especially the most marginalized and deprived sections. Social movements and organizations
from across the world worked together to develop a World Charter on the Right to the City that is also
supported by UNESCO and UN Habitat, among other agencies. This global movement has also led to
mayors in different cities, independently and collectively, adopting charters to promote human rights in
cities.
It includes, inter alia, the human rights to:
Adequate housing; Water and sanitation; Basic services, including electricity; Work/livelihood;
Food; Health and healthcare; Sustainable transport and energy; Education; A clean and a healthy
environment; Social security; Equality, including gender equality; Information; Participation; and
Safety, security, privacy, and freedom from violence.