Learning from Other Places and Their Plans: Comparative Learning in and for Planning Systems

Abstract

In this thematic issue we pursue the idea that comparative studies of planning systems are utterly useful for gaining a deeper understanding of learning processes and learning capacity in spatial planning systems. In contemporary planning systems the pressures towards learning and continuous self-transformation are high. On the one hand more and more planning is needed in terms of integration of expertise, policy, local knowledge, and response to long term environmental challenges, while on the other hand the value of planning systems is increasingly questioned and many places witness an erosion of planning institutions. The issue brings together a diversity of contributions that explore different forms of comparative learning and their value for any attempt at reorganization, adaptation and improvement of planning systems.

Using green infrastructure to stimulate discourse with and for planning practice: experiences with fuzzy concepts from a pan-European, a national and a local perspective

“…The GI concept in Case C was tailored to a specific landscape area, but still only provided a conceptual and spatial frame that could be adapted during the development of concrete measures. This flexibility fits well to spatial planning, which operates at different levels of concretization and adaptation of measures to fit specific conditions and changing circumstances (Cortekar et al 2016;van Assche et al 2020;van der Jagt 2019).…”

“…Case C, LOS_DAMA! aimed to test and develop tools for (non-statutory) GI planning and management in peri-urban landscapes in Alpine city regions (van Lierop et al 2019). As one of the seven local pilot projects, the Urban Planning Institute of Slovenia (UIRS) developed and tested the GI approach in the Ljubljana Marsh Nature Park area, Slovenia's largest protected wetland.…”

“…Toolbox. Green infrastructure for better living by(van Lierop et al (2020) (available at www. alpine-space.…”

Re‐thinking urban infrastructures as spaces of learning

“…Within urban studies then, learning has received particular attention in work concerned with aspects of urban planning (e.g., van Assche et al., 2020) and within debates on urban governance and economic innovation (e.g., Ward, 2018). Within critical literature on urban governance and economic innovation there tends to be an understanding that cities perceive themselves to be under high pressure to “learn” how to attract businesses and revenue and how to successfully compete with other urban spaces (e.g., Peck, 2005).…”

“…Within critical literature on urban governance and economic innovation there tends to be an understanding that cities perceive themselves to be under high pressure to “learn” how to attract businesses and revenue and how to successfully compete with other urban spaces (e.g., Peck, 2005). Within the planning literature “learning”, however, is increasingly being perceived as an alternative to competition and conflict among cities (Van Assche et al., 2020, p. 2). Critically, however, Van Assche et al.…”