The planner's subjective destitution: towards a hysterical-analytical triad of planning theory-research-practice

Abstract: In this article, I set out different relationships between planning theory, research and practice, drawing on Lacan's "production of four discourses". I argue that each element of the planning theory-research-practice "triad" acts as the discursive "agent" and gives rise to particular kinds of "subject-planner" (the "master", the "expert", the "idealistic" and the "pragmatic") with specific ideological upshots ("hidden" big other, "feigned" big other, hysteria and subjective destitution). Primarily a theoretical discussion, the article is also partially underpinned by my own practical experience in planning. While Lacanian psychoanalytical theory has already entered the planning field, its deployment has been mostly centred on deconstructing both planning decision-making processes and the mediation of planners in creating and implementing plans. Hence, the attempt here is to look in more depth at the "ambivalent" role of the planner as well as to bring in "planning research", as a

Object Details

• Alternative title: Die subjektive Destitution des Planers: zu einer hysterisch-analytischen Triade von Planungstheorie, Forschung und Praxis
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Veröffentlichungsversion ; begutachtet (peer reviewed) ; In: Raumforschung und Raumordnung / Spatial Research and Planning ; 77 (2019) 2 ; 181-198

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Mannheim
• (who): SSOAR, GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V.
• (when): 2019
• Creator: Ulloa, Ignacio Castillo

Further information

• DOI: 10.2478/rara-2019-0009
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2021101213194565238107
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:23 AM CEST