The Institutionalization of Just Decision-making: analysing planning practice in Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Ricardo Cardoso (Author) FEUP; Isabel Breda-Vázquez (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Environment & Planning : Government and Policy

Vol. 27 No. 3

Pages: 413-432

ISSN: 0263-774X

Publisher: Pion

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-JF6

DOI: 10.1068/c0781r

Abstract (EN): The institutionalization of just decision making in urban policy and planning is fundamental for the achievement of social justice in the city. In this paper we highlight the importance of generating adequate institutional conditions for the constitution of cosmopolis, Sandercock’s postmodern utopia of justice. In doing that we resort to sociological institutionalist approaches to planning and policy analysis to evaluate a specific planning practice in the Portuguese planning system. Hence, after putting forward an appropriate analytical framework we tell the story of the decision-making process in the revision of Porto’s Municipal Director Plan by delving through its intertwined history and evaluating it against the chosen criteria of social justice. The transcendent aim of this paper is to help to find opportunities for institutional improvements which can open the way for nonoppressive decision making and a more socially just urban future in Portugal and elsewhere.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific