READINGS IN INTERNATIONAL PLANNING

This seminar aims to develop a critical understanding of the principal themes, schools of thought, and theoretical debates in the contested and loosely defined field known as “international planning,” “international studies in planning,” or “international development planning.” From the perspective of scholars engaging with critical planning and development theories, the dissemination of international planning practice is associated with the spread of global capital and serves to spread western rationalities. From the perspective of feminist and postmodern theories, international planning serves to produce particular subjectivities, which in turn buttresses global relations of power and cements neocolonial forms of development. On the other hand, decolonial scholars suggest that international planning research should illuminate alternative planning rationalities and practices in order to furnish not only a normative but also pragmatic critique of dominant forms of planning, and in so doing expand the definition of what constitutes “planning” also in the global north. In this seminar, students will read texts from authors situated both inside and outside the Western academia, focusing in particular on scholars who offer expanded visions of decolonial planning practice and thus illuminate and challenge assumptions of “international planning.” In particular, readings will focus on scholarship in Latin America, Africa and South Asia that engages with issues of urban informality. We will ground our discussion of urban planning in critical and feminist theories of development, but we will also examine literature in urban studies; planning theory; and anthropology, sociology and other social science disciplines.  

Course requirements 

Approximately 2/3rds of the readings will be assigned beforehand; students are responsible for identifying and presenting the remaining texts. Students will lead class discussions, write short reflection papers of the readings, produce an annotated bibliography, and produce short critical reflections on planning case studies to be hosted on the class website (http://sites.utexas.edu/internationalplanning/). This is an interdisciplinary course and students with an interest in critical perspectives in urban studies, global planning, and international development in all fields are welcome. Contact instructor for permission to enroll.