Difficulties for Theorisation

This year's AESOP Annual Congress took place from 7 to 11 July 2025 at Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul. With the objective of reflecting on persistent tensions in spatial planning theory members of the ARL Working Group “Beyond the Process: Finding Common Ground for a Discussion on Planning's Substantial Foundation” came together with external experts for a roundtable discussion.

The discussion, hosted by Christopher Maidment (University of Reading) and Martin Sondermann (ARL – Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association), focused on the shared concern that contemporary planning theory often lacks a coherent and substantial foundation. This poses challenges for academic robustness and practical legitimacy. The emphasis on process – how planning is done (means) – has often taken precedence over deeper questions about purposes (ends).

'Difficulties for theorisation: insights from a roundtable discussion' (PDF)

Further reading

Levin-Keitel, M.; Sielker, F.; Nikolaus-Behrend, L.; Schmitt, P.; Sielker, F.; Sondermann, M.; Özogul, S.; Maidment, C.; Mäntysalo, R.; Gruber, E.; Davy, B.; Förster, A.; Sheperd, E.; Eizenber, E.; Dabovic, T.; Webster, C.; Schulze Dieckhoff, V. (2025): Difficulties for Theorisation Within Planning Research and Practice – An Exploration of Key Dimensions of Planning Theories. In: Levin-Keitel, M.; Sielker, F. (Eds.): Planning Theory & Practice, 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649357.2025.2550830