“The Natural Status is Always Changeable” - A case study about the role of the planners’ in New York City

Abstract: The divergence between theory and practice in planning and the role of the planner is widely discussed throughout the literature. The aim of the thesis is to explore planners’ experience of appraisal of the planning role in New York City. The thesis investigate the roles of the planner with the purpose of discovering attitudes, values and approaches in the planning climate. New York City’s influence as a context on the role of the planner and the main characteristics that are important to acknowledge as a planner are also recognized. The empirical data is collected through interviews with professors at Columbia University and practicing planners in New York City. Along with theory the results show that planners are affected by both external and internal influences. There are components of rationality and power that affect the planning climate. This will provide knowledge about context dependent planning. Larger implications of the findings are that the planning is never value free, and that planners have to be aware of for whom the planning is for.