{"title":"Beyond the professional–local knowledge dichotomy: Toward a new epistemology in urban planning","authors":"Jesse Fox, Talia Margalit","doi":"10.1177/00420980251375771","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Knowledge in urban planning is typically categorized as either ‘professional’ or ‘local’, based primarily on the identity of the knower. We argue that this binary framework has become outdated due to shifts in planning and its broader societal context, and now hinders our ability to understand the role of knowledge and power–knowledge dynamics in planning processes. In its place, we propose an updated and expanded typology of planning knowledges, and a method for identifying them through discourse analysis. We also show how knowledge types, which are now wielded by diverse actors in varied discourse arenas, can no longer be associated exclusively with specific knowers, and often merge into novel hybrids – and consider how these changes impact power–knowledge dynamics. We aim to contribute to the development of a more nuanced and precise epistemology in planning, and hope our proposed framework enriches the understanding of researchers and practitioners alike.","PeriodicalId":51350,"journal":{"name":"Urban Studies","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Urban Studies","FirstCategoryId":"96","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00420980251375771","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Knowledge in urban planning is typically categorized as either ‘professional’ or ‘local’, based primarily on the identity of the knower. We argue that this binary framework has become outdated due to shifts in planning and its broader societal context, and now hinders our ability to understand the role of knowledge and power–knowledge dynamics in planning processes. In its place, we propose an updated and expanded typology of planning knowledges, and a method for identifying them through discourse analysis. We also show how knowledge types, which are now wielded by diverse actors in varied discourse arenas, can no longer be associated exclusively with specific knowers, and often merge into novel hybrids – and consider how these changes impact power–knowledge dynamics. We aim to contribute to the development of a more nuanced and precise epistemology in planning, and hope our proposed framework enriches the understanding of researchers and practitioners alike.
期刊介绍:
Urban Studies was first published in 1964 to provide an international forum of social and economic contributions to the fields of urban and regional planning. Since then, the Journal has expanded to encompass the increasing range of disciplines and approaches that have been brought to bear on urban and regional problems. Contents include original articles, notes and comments, and a comprehensive book review section. Regular contributions are drawn from the fields of economics, planning, political science, statistics, geography, sociology, population studies and public administration.