Rittel Horst & Webber, Melvin. 1973. Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning, Policy Sciences 4, 155-169

5 important questions on Rittel Horst & Webber, Melvin. 1973. Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning, Policy Sciences 4, 155-169

How has the professional's role in solving problems evolved, and what challenges do they face in goal formulation, problem definition, and equity issues?

The professional's role was once seen as solving definable, understandable, and consensual problems. However, they face challenges in formulating clear goals, defining problems, and addressing equity issues.

What are the two beliefs regarding goal formulation in planning?

There are two beliefs:
    • Make ability/unrestricted malleability of the future through reasoning, rational discourse, and civilized negotiation.
    • A feeling-based approach that aims to overcome "The System."

How has the view of planning evolved from the industrial age, and why is problem definition challenging in open societal systems?

In the industrial age, planning was seen as designing problem solutions, emphasizing efficiency. However, as social processes are viewed as open systems within interconnected networks, it's less clear where problems lie and how to intervene effectively.
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What are the characteristics of wicked problems in planning?

Wicked problems are characterized by:
    • No definitive formulation.
    • No stopping rule.
    • Solutions are not true-or-false but good-or-bad.
    • No immediate or ultimate test of a solution.
    • Every solution is a "one-shot operation."
    • No enumerable set of potential solutions.
    • Essentially unique.
    • Symptoms of other problems.
    • Multiple explanations.
    • Planners have no right to be wrong.
    • Ethical components.

What challenges arise in the social context of planning, especially with a growing population?

Challenges in the social context include dealing with diverse priorities among small minorities in a larger population. As the population grows, the concept of the social product becomes less meaningful, making it increasingly difficult to create positive zero-sum development strategies.

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