Planning and[/in] the future: The place of utopian thinking and the utopian thinking about place

Abstract

In this article the argument is made that the once visionary profession of planning lost its focus on the future. This is done through an analysis of the nature of planning, its identity and the place of utopia in its make up, and the deployment of the metaphors of ‘loss’ and ‘need’. In accordance with this reading it is argued that it is imperative for planning to restore this relationship, not just for its own soul and sanity, but especially so for those who benefit from its endeavours. Following on from this, a set of suggestions is made as to how this can be achieved, both in the theoretical approach to planning and in actual practice. The article is concluded with a cautionary note on the potentially inappropriate application of these future seeking and shaping ideas.