The Planning Syndrome in Western Culture

Abstract

The planning function embraces various postures and skills deriving not only from the natural and social sciences, but from the humanities, whence the artistic and cultural aspects lend color to the operation. One of its products, the city, has the longest history and has at times achieved a congenial and even inspiring setting for human affairs. In analysis, the components of the planning process emerge with Renaissance theory, but develop with the growth of nations and cities, colonization, and the birth of the great metropolis. New concepts bring changes in urbanized societies, but the pace of improvement slows as problems proliferate. The lack of social planning at last becomes apparent and, together with the realization that over-population and the side effects of industrial development threaten the continuation of life on earth, demands the view of the environment transcending the economic-physical approach of routine planning technology.