The aim of the planning theory course is to gain more in-depth knowledge of the theoretical background of planning in such a way that the student can identify suitable existing planning and decision-making models for issues at hand. The student will also be able to picture a planning issue within a theoretical frame, through which an approach and its consequences can be deducted.

This course starts with current and on-going planning theoretical discussions, seen in the light of philosophical critique and general scientific abstractions. These abstractions are amongst others obtained from theories such as systems theory, complexity theory, critical theory, social constructivism and discourse theory. This confrontation will bring us the basic arguments upon which planning is built. It will help us understand and critically reflect on current decision-making models, such as the classic technical rational approaches, contingency approaches, scenario approaches, the late modern communicative approaches in planning, the so-called models for complex decision-making and transition management. This will give us substantial depth in understanding how planning and decision-making works. As such, we want to support decision-making processes in planning through object-oriented and inter-subjective analysis in complex and very complex situations. The result is an advanced tool box to cope with simple, complex and very complex planning issues, both linear and non-linear, to tackle these issues in a thorough way, and to help us to make use of and design planning and decision-making models for particular situations.

This course is part of the second year of the Double Degree Master Water and Coastal Management and takes place in Groningen.

See https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/frw/vak/show?code=GEMPLANTH for more information about this course.

Examination with multiple choice questions, Examination with open questions