Planning Ethics

Contents Page

Quantitative Methods & Analysis

 

Planning Theory

Rational vs. Incremental Decision Making

Charles Lindblom, “The Science of Muddling Through,” Public Administration Review (Spring, 1959)

 

Rational Model

Incremental Model

Principles

v     Comprehensive and systematic

v     Goals/ends should be clearly stated and separated from alternatives

v     Analysis is neutral and value free

v     Compare alternatives using quantitative analysis

v     Relies on cause & effect theory

v     No effort at comprehensiveness—consider policies in relation to current and past practices

v     Goals, values and alternatives are considered together

v     Analysis is value-laden—inadequate data

v     Believe in “succession of limited comparisons” instead of theory

Steps

v     Policy makers agree on goals and values and goals are clearly stated

v     Comprehensive listing of all alternative policies

v     Analyze pros and cons of each alternative using data to determine how well they meet goals

v     Decision makers select best alternative

v     Establish a simple goal

v     Identify a few realistic policy alternatives

v     Analyze alternatives based on past experience and values

v     Decision-makers select most feasible alternative (good policy = agreement)

 

SITAR Model of Planning Theories

Key source:  Barclay M. Hudson , "Comparison of Current Planning Theories: Counterparts and Contradictions" (October 1979)
Journal of the American Planning Association, Volume 45, Number 4 (pp. 387-406)
It may be found in most planning university libraries.  A photocopy of the article only is available from APA's Planners Book Service for $5 (loose leaf)

A review of the elements of five well-known planning theories: synoptic (rational comprehensive), incremental, transactive, advocacy and radical planning.

 

Major Criteria/Descriptive Characteristics

Synoptic

Incremental

Transactive

Advocacy

Radical

Public Interest

O

O

O

X

X

Human Dimension

 

 

X

 

O

Feasibility

X

X

 

 

 

Action Potential

O

O

O

O

O

Substantive Theory

 

O

O

 

O

Self-Reflective

 

 

O

O

O

 

CODE: 

X = Major strength or area of concern

O = Partial or one-sided treatement

Blank = Characteristic weakness

 

 

Back to top

 

 

Last updated:  8/28/04  AJF