Themes and Tracks

We encourage submission of abstracts and papers for presentation to the following tracks:

Planning for infrastructures and transport

Transport planning, infrastructure planning and development, mobilities

We are witnessing a period of rapid and profound change. The technologies and politics which have served as stable and broadly predictable platforms for the development of infrastructures and their implications for planning are more than ever open to question and challenge. New technological possibilities around automation, big data and machine learning, and energy generation and transmission — not long ago the preserve of science fiction — are now reality. These are shaping mobilities and consumption practices globally. The regulation and governance of these technologies struggles to keep pace. How should planning respond to these new futures? This track invites papers addressing issues related to the planning of the key infrastructures that support our society, economy and planet: transport, digital, green and blue infrastructure, energy, and others. What futures do these infrastructures promise, and what will be the concomitant challenges? How can planning shape these futures? What are the links between these infrastructures and other, alternative visions for our planet and its communities? How can infrastructures support the achievement of key sustainable development goals? And how should the infrastructures of the future be planned, financed, delivered and managed?

Professor Ed Ferrari, CRESR, Sheffield Hallam University

Planning theory

Planning theory, planning history, the politics of planning

The Planning theory track invites submissions examining the theoretical corpus and pedagogical practices that inform planning scholarship and practice. In particular, we are interested in contributions questioning if the existing conceptual frameworks and teaching and learning practices are fit for purpose to address the mounting challenges of this century. Linking to the wider theme of the conference we encourage contributors to reflect on the following question: Do we have the necessary conceptual tools to envision alternative planning futures? Papers may examine, but are not limited to, debates around Southern/Western/cosmopolitan perspectives, planning knowledges, co-production, insurgent planning, social movements, and planning in the age of post-truth politics.

Dr Gabriel Silvestre, University of Sheffield

Environmental planning, sustainability, and climate change

Environmental planning, environmental appraisal and policy, resource management

Planners are key to mediating the tensions between delivering places and protecting and enhancing the environment, and to the generation of creative solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges. This track will explore the role of planners and planning in the nexus between the built and managed environment and environmental systems, taking innovative approaches to the present and future concepts, processes and practices for delivering both development and environmental gains. The track welcomes papers on, but not limited to: biodiversity and ecosystem-based management; climate change mitigation and adaptation; environmental conservation; green and blue infrastructure; water management; environmental design of the natural and built environment; natural resource management; and governance, integration and processes.

Dr Catherine Hammond, Sheffield Hallam University

Planning, the Economy, Regions and Development

Economic development, regional planning, urban development and finance

There has been a great deal of ink spilled in discussing the role that planning plays in regulating and promoting economic development (or growth) and how these functions serve particular interests at the expense of others. More recently, there has been growing critical (re-)engagement over concerns about the financialisation of urban economies; a set of processes that have been charged with deepening social inequalities, driving environmental trade-offs, and promoting governance practices orientated towards the servicing of ‘shareholder interests’. We invite papers for this track from those interested in exploring the broad connections between planning, economic development and finance with the aim of stimulating discussion about directions for future research.

Dr Stephen Hincks, University of Sheffield

Planning, designing, and developing our historic and future cities

Planning for historic environments, regeneration, urban design

Urban quarters, built form and public space, particularly those assigned ‘heritage value’, have a key role in the socio-cultural and economic transformations of urban areas. This track aims to explore how planners and heritage professionals are adapting existing planning and regeneration approaches, or developing innovative new ways of negotiating the spatial, social and economic, in response to increasingly complex contexts and agendas. Agendas that now include: contested identity at the national and local scale; expanding definitions of heritage and of design quality; the expansion of the physical and mental health and well-being agendas; the depletion of public resource; and increased pressure regarding viability. The track welcomes explorations into: research agendas and methods; planning and regeneration process and practice and; spatial outcomes.

Kaeren van Vliet, Sheffield Hallam University

Communities, planning and education

Community engagement, participation, and planning education

In an era where communities are facing unprecedented socio-demographic, economic, environmental and technological changes, how can planning researchers and educators provide local residents, practitioners and students with the knowledge, methods, skills and dispositions that will best equip them to deal with these challenging, uncertain futures? Recognising that past approaches and practices may no longer be entirely adequate or appropriate for current conditions, let alone unknown future conditions, this track therefore seeks to provide contributors with a space to ask difficult questions, challenge long-held assumptions and certainties and/or present innovative ideas in relation to the topics of community engagement, participatory futures, planning education and the roles and responsibilities of planning schools with respect to local and distant communities, including those that are often characterised as being ‘hard-to-reach’. Papers may focus on relevant research, developments in practice and advances in planning pedagogy but contributions that explore the associated issues and tensions in co-production, interdisciplinarity and the long-standing schism between theory and practice are particularly welcome.

Dr Lee Crookes

Future cities, future planning

Urban change, smart cities, governing and managing our cities and neighbourhoods

Planning as a profession is often regarded as an important means to shape the future of our cities by addressing the needs of different populations, identifying viable solutions to urban challenges and developing sustainable visions for our cities. However, in countries such as Britain, the role of planning is increasingly being streamlined, as it is being perceived as an obstacle to economic growth (Adams et al., 2016). The purpose of this track is to open up the debate about how cities and urban planning can contribute towards the development of sustainable urban futures. We invite studies that focus on the pressing challenges as well as innovative urban technologies and governance practices.

The themes of this track include but are not limited to: (1) Urban changes such as migration or inter-ethnic relations; (2) Smart cities and smart technologies; (3) Urban governance innovations; (4) Urban resilience; (5) Imaginaries and visions of Urban Futures; (6) Role of planning in shaping urban futures.

Reference:

Adams D, O’Sullivan M, Inch A, Tait M, Watkins C & Harris M (2016) “Delivering

the value of planning” RTPI Research Report no.15, August 2016

Dr Zheng Wang, University of Sheffield

Housing and planning

Planning for housing, housing policy, the economics and management of housing, housing delivery

Housing is at the heart of social concerns and political debates. Frequently treated as a mismatch of supply and demand and a sluggish or problematic planning system these debates are rising in intensity and anger as groups locked-out (debates about affordable and social housing as well as gentrification) sit alongside others of threats and encroachment (the sale of some greenfield land). Such concerns echo international themes that concern rising material inequalities, the economic viability of households and questions of construction, sustainability and community viability. Equally, the under-occupation and appropriation of much housing by the wealthy in many cities (buy to let, buy to leave, buy to ‘ruin’) raise questions about politics and inequities in power and interests that take in an increasing range of urban and regional centres globally. This track embraces contributions that touch on these vital issues and debates.

Professor Rowland Atkinson, University of Sheffield

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