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Open Access
18th Congress of the AESOP, Grenoble, France, 2004 ‘Metropolitan Planning and Environmental Issues’
(Routledge : Taylor and Francis Group, 2005) Silva, Elisabete A.
Grenoble-France was this year’s venue for the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) 18th congress entitled ‘Metropolitan Planning and Environmental Issues’. A successful congress ensued (it contained 390 authors and 195 papers) taking place in a sustainable and charming city at the University Pierre Mende`s France, Grenoble and at the Institute of Urbanism in Grenoble. The local organizing committee Jan Tucny, Alain Motte, Gilles Novarina, Marc Bonneville, Yves Chalas, Jack Fontanel, and Bernard Pouyet; as well as the conference coordinator, the very promising young academic Ste´phane Sadoux, are to be congratulated for this year’s AESOP congress. The congress opening ceremony began with the welcome address by professors: Prof. Claude Courlet (President University Pierre Mende`s France), and Prof. Alessandro Balducci (President Association of European Planning Schools) Politecnico di Milano The keynote were addressed by: Prof. Gabriel Dupuy, University Paris Sorbonne with a presentation entitled ‘Cities and Planning in an era of Information Technologies and Communication’; Prof. Bernardo Secchi, Unversity of Venice presenting ‘The contemporary European city and its project’; Prof. Sir Peter Hall, University College of London with a presentation entitled ‘Policentropolis: in search of the European Holy Grail’; and Jean-Paul Blais, PUCA, Ministe`re de l’Equipment with a speech on ‘Current research issues in strategic and metropolitan planning: a French perspective’.
Open Access
A Giant Contribution to Global Planning Education : Klaus Kunzmann and the Founding of AESOP
(Routledge : Taylor and Francis Group, 2017) Alterman, Rachelle
The existence of a global academic identity for planning must not be taken for granted. If it weren’t for Klaus Kunzmann, there would have been no AESOP. And if it weren’t for AESOP, today’s global planning education institutions would have not emerged or, at best, have been greatly delayed. The vision that Klaus realized 30 years ago with the founding of AESOP has created a momentum with invaluable benefits not only for planning education, but for the citizen-clients of planning worldwide. Even though I was not representing any European school 1, I sensed that something very significant was in the offing; I therefore travelled to Amsterdam in 1987 to attend AESOP’s inauguration ceremony (and was the only non-European there). I have followed AESOP’s evolution and impact ever since. In this brief note, I would like to share with you what I have observed about AESOP’s contribution to the emergence of planning education globally. Unlike medicine or engineering, for example, planning is not a self-propelling global profession. Medical practitioners are dependent on knowledge transfer about dangers discovered, new medicines, or new technologies. In planning, the gains and losses due to knowledge transfer are more amorphous. In fact, planning has a built-in contradiction between the pull of localization and the push of globalization. On the one hand, planning is locally grounded both in its history and ideology: Historically, the planning profession emerged from local-national initiatives in a geographically fragmented process. Planning ideology seeks to enshrine locally specific “placemaking” as a valued norm. In each country, the planning profession is bounded by its own national and local legal frameworks, and it is embedded in specific socio-cultural and political contexts. The legal and political contexts differ greatly across countries, even when they might seem similar from a distance (Alterman 2017). At the same time, the planning profession cannot continue to serve its clients – the majority of humanity – without global knowledge exchange.
Open Access
A Lacanian understanding of the southern planning theorists' identification under the hegemony of western philosophy
(AESOP, 2021) Mohammadzadeh, Mohsen
As a planning theorist who has studied and taught planning theory in the Global South and North, I grapple with the question - "What does planning theory mean in the Global South?" To answer this question, I ontologically investigate the meaning of Southern planning theory based on a Lacanian approach. Drawing on the Lacanian theory of human subjectivity, this article explains how planning theorists’ identities are constituted through their interactions within academia. Lacanian discourse theory assists in exploring how most Southern planning theorists adopt, internalise, and use hegemonic Western philosophy, ideas, and discourses as the only accepted mechanism of truth. Consequently, this process profoundly alienates Southern planning theorists from their local context, as they often devalue, overlook, and neglect non-Western beliefs, ideas, knowledge, and philosophy. I argue that although the number of Southern planning theorists has increased during the last decades, non-Western philosophy is seldom utilised as the core of their critical studies. Based on the Lacanian discourse theory, I show that they mostly remain in the hegemonic mechanism of knowledge production that is embedded in the colonial era.
Open Access
A methodological approach on studying policy-making of autonomous driving in cities
(AESOP, 2019) Servou, Eriketti
This commentary proposes a methodological approach about policy analysis on autonomous driving. It focuses on the role of discourse, the multiple actors and technologies involved in the processes of urban policy-making. Autonomous driving is considered a crucial case of policy-making in cities, because of the multitude of established and new actors involved as well as the combination of different digitalisation and automation technologies. Current research outlines the uncertainty planners and policymakers find themselves in regarding how to plan and regulate for autonomous driving, and calls for the need of finding the right forms of governance and policy for the implementation of autonomous driving in urban contexts. Therefore, studying the processes of its policy in the making is vital, as it is these processes that determine if and how any kind of policy will come into place. Subsequently, it is urban policy that will define the ways autonomous driving will be implemented and its implications in cities. Since both socio-political and material factors play a role in policy-making, a suitable methodological approach is needed that can address both. Therefore, this commentary discusses methodological developments drawing inspiration from Argumentative Discourse Analysis (ADA) and combining it with elements from Actor-Network-Theory (ANT). The insights provided by the commentary aim at a more comprehensive and thorough understanding of policy-making processes of autonomous driving and how policy change occurs (or not).
Open Access
A tribute to Patsy Healey (1940–2024) : Obituary
(Routledge : Taylor and Francis Group, 2024) Davoudi, Simin
I write this tribute with a heavy heart as I had never imagined that one day I would write about Patsy Healey in past tense. Her passing away in March 2024, at the age of 84 left planning communities across the world with a deep sense of loss and sadness. But as her commemoration in the AESOP conference in Paris showed, people who know Patsy wish to share their cherished memories of her and celebrate her life and achievements not only as a distinguished scholar but also as a remarkable caring and compassionate person. There is much that I can say about Patsy from my own experience of knowing her for over thirty years as her student, colleague, and friend, but in the interest of brevity, I limit myself to a brief account of her key accolades. After an undergraduate degree in Geography at University College London (UCL), Patsy was trained as a teacher and then a planner, following a Diploma in Town Planning from Regent Street Polytechnic (now University of Westminster). In the 1960s, she worked as a planning officer in the London Borough of Lewisham at a time when, as Patsy often recalled, there was a lot of planning without much clarity about its purpose.
Open Access
Activism by lay and professional planners : Types, research issues, and ongoing analysis
(AESOP, 2019) Sager, Tore
Activism was one of the main themes of the AESOP PhD Workshop 2018 in Karlskrona and Tjärö, Sweden. One of my presentations was about the activist roles of planners working for local governments and lay planners affiliated with civil society organizations. I have kept a close eye on the academic literature on activist planning for many years, and am still working in that sub-field of planning theory. My aim is to explore the limits of how professional planners with an activist intent can practice their line of work inside a bureaucracy, and to study how actors from the civil society can use spatial planning and local environmental planning in combination with direct action as a strategy for achieving their goals. To specify the kind of planning I have in mind, I follow Healey (1997:69), stating that: ‘Spatial and environmental planning, understood relationally, becomes a practice of building a relational capacity which can address collective concerns about spatial co-existence, spatial organisation and the qualities of places’. Activist planners can contribute to the processes of such planning and help collect and form the input to spatial and environmental plans.
Open Access
Activist researchers : Four cases of affecting change
(AESOP, 2019) Sharkey, Megan; Lopez, Monica; Katharine Mottee, Lara; Scaffidi, Federica
Researchers in urban planning are frequently motivated by the desire to facilitate positive social change. In seeking better ways to effect change, the researcher becomes an activist by engaging with social and environmental issues in a meaningful way to solve a problem. It is also often at this nexus where practice and academia meet, where the researcher adopts an activist role. In this paper we argue that activist research requires researchers to place themselves in one of two dominant positionalities or engagement positions: the insider or the outsider, as they join efforts with their research participants and activities. Using four case examples from our own research, we discuss how each positionality influences the production of new knowledge in both practice and theory. We reflect on challenges faced by early-career activist researchers in adopting activist research approaches, highlighting implications for undertaking this type of research in urban planning, and the need for a rethink from current discourses to set a path for a more hopeful future.
Open Access
AESOP activities are back on track after the pandemic
(Taylor & Fransis, 2024) Cotella, Giancarlo; Casavola, Donato
The years of the Covid-19 pandemic have been tough for the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) and its community. The main catalyst of AESOP connectivity – its an- nual congress – was cancelled in 2020 and held remotely in 2021, depriving our members of the much-needed face-to-face interactions that have always contributed to the Association’s ad- vancement and growth. Now, after a slow restart in 2022 and 2023, when people hesitantly attempted to go back to normal, we can now officially say that AESOP and its activities are back on track. The larg- est event in the history of the Association took place in Paris in July, hosting over 1200 dele- gates from 55 different countries. In the wake of this great success, it may be worth summaris- ing the multiple activities of AESOP for inter- ested disP readers, in the hope that more peo- ple will attend and benefit from AESOP events in the future.
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AESOP Generating Discussion on New Models of Territorial Governance in Europe: Report on Professor Danuta Hübner’s AESOP–IFHP Lecture
(Taylor & Francis, 2013) Mironowicz, Izabela
This report summarizes the third lecture in the AESOP–IFHP Lecture Series, delivered by Professor Danuta Hübner in Brussels on 5 October 2012. The lecture, titled “Space and Place as Integrating Factors in Policy-Making,” focused on the evolution of territorial cohesion in EU policy. Professor Hübner argued that effective governance in Europe increasingly requires territorial sensitivity, integrated approaches, and multilevel cooperation. She discussed the need to strengthen functional areas, enhance the role of cities, and align regional development strategies across administrative and sectoral boundaries. The report emphasizes that territorial cohesion is not yet formally defined, but widely understood as a shared European objective. New tools such as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITIs) and Community-led Local Development (CLLD) were highlighted as pathways toward more inclusive and efficient governance. The article reflects on the broader shift in EU governance from rigid structures toward flexible, place-based strategies that involve local actors in designing and implementing territorial policy.
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AESOP Memories
(Routledge : Taylor and Francis Group, 2020) Matoga, Agnes
The article “AESOP Memories” by Agnes Matoga introduces a project initiated by the AESOP Young Academics Network (YAN) with the aim of preserving and sharing the history of the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP). This initiative focuses on collecting and presenting personal memories, stories, and artefacts from AESOP members through oral history interviews, under the guidance of a dedicated Advisory Board. The project is driven by the desire to: Highlight AESOP’s rich history, beginning with its foundation in 1987 by Klaus Kunzmann and others. Foster intergenerational dialogue between founding members and young academics. Digitally archive both stories and physical memorabilia (e.g., notes, posters). Increase transparency, foster community reflection, and support institutional memory. Key elements of the project include: Voluntary participation from interviewees and interviewers. Development of an interview guide to ensure quality and consistency. Establishment of an AESOP Memories Advisory Board for training and oversight. An ongoing, open-ended timeline with plans to publish select stories in disP – The Planning Review and on the AESOP website using interactive media. The article emphasizes the methodological importance of oral history—not merely recording what is said, but understanding how and why stories are told. The project embodies a collective effort to honor AESOP’s legacy and ensure that its evolution is documented for future generations.
Open Access
AESOP PLANNING EDUCATION N°3
(Association of European Schools of Planning, 2015-07) Mironowicz, Izabela
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AESOP Silver Jubilee Congress in Ankara: First Step Towards AESOP's Golden Jubilee
(Taylor & Francis, 2012) Mironowicz, Izabela
This report presents an overview of the AESOP Silver Jubilee Congress held in Ankara, Turkey, from 11–15 July 2012. As the largest AESOP event to date, it drew over 1000 abstract submissions from 63 countries, illustrating the vitality and diversity of the European planning academic community. The article provides detailed statistics on abstract submissions, acceptance rates, track popularity, and final program composition. It highlights trends such as the increasing engagement of students, high participation from AESOP member institutions, and rising international interest. The Congress also featured strong involvement in the AESOP–IFHP Lecture Series and set the stage for future events, including the AESOP–ACSP Joint Congress. The report positions the Ankara Congress as a milestone on the path toward AESOP’s Golden Jubilee, reflecting growth, inclusivity, and academic excellence.
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AESOP Silver Jubilee: AESOP Presidents Reflect on the Future of Planning and AESOP
(Taylor & Francis, 2012) Mironowicz, Izabela
This report presents highlights from a special session held during the AESOP Silver Jubilee Congress in Ankara (14 July 2012), where past AESOP Presidents and founding members shared reflections on the future of planning and AESOP. Eleven presidents and honorary member Andreas Faludi offered diverse perspectives on the evolving role of planning amid globalization, climate change, economic crises, and technological transformation. Contributions emphasized the need for planning to be socially just, adaptive, participatory, and interdisciplinary. They called for planning education to prepare students to think critically, act ethically, and engage meaningfully in shaping future urban and regional environments. The session underscored AESOP’s role as a platform for dialogue and innovation, and concluded with a ceremonial handover to the new President, Gert de Roo.
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AESOP Thematic Groups: Planning/Conflict
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Gualini, Enrico
This article presents the AESOP Thematic Group on Planning/Conflict, established in 2013 to explore the role of planning in framing, transforming, and engaging with urban conflicts. The group offers a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on how planning practices both generate and respond to conflicts within urban development. It organizes international conferences and special sessions at academic events and has contributed to multiple edited volumes and scholarly outputs. The article critically reflects on the conceptual and practical intersections between planning and conflict, arguing for a post-disciplinary and interpretive approach to understand urban contention, the dynamics of power, and the political dimensions embedded in planning processes.
Open Access
AESOP Thematic Groups: Public Spaces and Urban Cultures
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Knierbein, Sabine; Sezer, Ceren; Tornaghi, Chiara
This article introduces the AESOP Thematic Group on Public Spaces and Urban Cultures (PSUC), founded in April 2010 to foster interdisciplinary and international dialogue on public space and urban culture. The group engages academics, practitioners, and public stakeholders through meetings, workshops, and online platforms. It supports research, planning, and educational initiatives focused on spatial justice, everyday urbanism, and participatory processes. The article presents the group’s structure, key themes, events, and publications, emphasizing its open and inclusive approach and its ambition to bridge theory and practice across diverse sociopolitical contexts.
Open Access
AESOP Thematic Groups: Resilience and Risk Mitigation Strategies
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Sliuzas, Richard
This article introduces the AESOP Thematic Group “Resilience and Risk Mitigation Strategies” (RRMS), established around the 2007 AESOP Annual Conference in Naples. The group connects spatial planning expertise with risk governance, addressing natural, technological, and hybrid risks. It explores how planning can reduce vulnerabilities and hazard exposure, integrate disaster risk reduction into policy, and enhance resilience through proactive governance. The article outlines key developments in theory, practice, and education, referencing major international frameworks (e.g., UNISDR, Sendai, Habitat III) and activities such as roundtables, workshops, and conference sessions. RRMS emphasizes planning’s interdisciplinary potential and capacity-building roles in risk-aware urban development.
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AESOP Young Academics Special Edition Call for Abstracts
(Routledge : Taylor and Francis Group, 2013) Driscoll, Patrick; Galland, Daniel
Urban planning has dramatically shifted when compared with its former logics and styles. Increasingly, the dynamics of large urban agglomerations spanning multiple boundaries put significant pressure on planning institutions to scale up. In this shifting context, how can both planning theory and practice coevolve in adapting to the ever-increasing transformation of cities and urban regions? In this context, Planning Practice and Research (PPR) is seeking perspectives from the young academic community in planning. We propose to publish at least one special edition of PPR with a number of short papers from Young Academics. The contributions should address the question of how planning theory and practice can respond to the increasing complexity of cities and regions. We are proposing shorter contributions so that we can include a wider range of perspectives. They may of course, point to longer explanations of research published elsewhere. Otherwise the papers will have to meet the normal expectations for publication in PPR. Young academics means researchers doing their PhD and up to 5 years after finishing their PhD and young practitioners with an academic interest.
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AESOP’s Thematic Groups
(Taylor & Francis, 2014) Mironowicz, Izabela
This article provides a brief institutional overview of the AESOP Thematic Groups (TGs), which function as platforms for scholarly collaboration and focused discussion on key planning topics. The Secretary General outlines the support mechanisms offered by AESOP, including branding rights, financial assistance, communication infrastructure, and quality oversight. Thematic Groups are encouraged to organize events, contribute to Congress programs, and deliver annual reports. A list of currently active TGs is provided, with themes ranging from complexity in planning and sustainable food systems to urban culture, ethics, and transport policy. Future AESOP News Sections are expected to present deeper insights into the activities of individual TGs.
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AESOP’s Thematic Groups – Part 1: French and British Planning Studies Group
(Taylor & Francis, 2014) Andres, Lauren
This article provides an in-depth overview of the AESOP Thematic Group on French and British Planning Studies, founded in 1998 to foster dialogue between the Anglophone and Francophone academic worlds. The group promotes comparative research on urban planning systems, cultures, and policies in France and the UK. It operates through biannual meetings alternating between both countries, engaging researchers and practitioners alike. The group's work has resulted in several major publications, including two books and special issues of Town Planning Review. Topics explored include metropolitan democracy, spatial planning systems, cultural policy in European cities, and the interrelationship between rail infrastructure and urban development. The article emphasizes the group’s informal yet intellectually rigorous approach and its commitment to intercultural dialogue and collaborative scholarship.
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AESOP’s Thematic Groups – Part 2: Complexity & Planning
(Taylor & Francis, 2014) Rauws, Ward
This article presents the goals, development, and scholarly output of AESOP’s Thematic Group on Complexity and Planning. Founded in 2005, the group brings together researchers interested in applying complexity theories to urban and regional planning. It explores concepts such as self-organization, non-linearity, and adaptive systems through regular meetings, conference tracks, and workshops. The group has produced two edited volumes and several special issues in peer-reviewed journals, addressing the impact of complexity on governance, simulation methods, and urban transformation. Events cover themes from digitalization to networked urban governance, and the group fosters both theoretical reflection and practical applications. With over 200 members, it provides a dynamic platform for both newcomers and experienced researchers engaged in complexity-oriented planning scholarship.