The digital transformation of planning (DISCLOSE)
2025 - 2029
FinanziamentoEstablishing a theoretical model of how technologies and data are transforming spatial planning practice ¶
Project introduction ¶
The field of spatial planning is currently experiencing a profound shift driven by technological advancements, known as the digital transformation of planning. This transformative process has the potential to reshape the very essence of planning practice and its fundamental values, including equity and social justice, transparency, and efficiency.
Despite documented awareness of digital transformation in the planning community, no theory has so far been developed to guide researchers in analyzing the digitalization of planning and supporting practitioners in navigating this transformative journey.
Eminent scholars point out that the digital transformation is largely technology-driven. This raises questions about the nature of digital planning and the extent to which this profession should and/or will become computationally codified and automated with a shift toward a post-political form of planning. The questions will become more pressing as the political pressure to adopt digital technologies intensifies.
The necessary foundations to approach these questions are lacking, as most research to date has focused on the development of new technological tools and digital data, neglecting the complex interplay between digital technology and the people involved in planning, and the resulting restructuring of relationships within planning practice.
Project aims and outcomes ¶
This research aims to develop a scientific basis for adequately addressing the digital transformation of local land use planning and regulation. Therefore, the main objective is to develop and test a theoretical model with the following interrelated core concepts of planning practice, in which digitalization manifests itself:
- encounters between planners and the public,
- discretion in micro-level decision-making,
- the representation of plans and the environment,
- domain integration beyond planning.
The objectives of developing and testing the theoretical model with these four core concepts will be achieved by adopting a practice research and socio-technical approach while pursuing the following specific research lines, each with a strong focus on encounters, as well as discretion, representation, and domain integration.
- planning and regulatory practice,
- promoters of planning technologies,
- data and algorithms.
The project outcomes will advance our understanding of the digital transformation of planning and its implications for core planning values and should lead to a robust theoretical foundation for future empirical and conceptual investigations, in addition to critical reflections on the digital development of planning.