The coding turn in urban planning: Could it remedy the essential drawbacks of planning?

Abstract

The article deals with the growing tendency to articulate planning policies through principles and codes, a feature of recent planning theory and practice. While this tool arouses interest and enthusiasm, very little attention is given to how it affects planning thought and impacts – or should impact – the act of planning and the institutions involved. After reviewing pre-modern decision-making frameworks that accompanied the use of planning codes, this article highlights the role of mutual agreement and shared responsibility in the application of the past planning codes. It then discusses the meaning of the transition to planning codes and elaborates on the opportunity to remedy the embedded pitfalls created by applying comprehensive land-use plans as a regulatory tool, and to institute planning that is based on the principles of liberal democracy.