The role of planning and the role of planners: political dimensions, ethical principles, communicative interaction

In the planning debate there is a certain confusion concerning some matters due to the fact that the “role of planning” and “the role of planners” are not clearly distinguished from each other. The discussion and reasoning in this field quite often slip and slide imperceptibly and inadvertently from one aspect to the other. The purpose of this article is therefore to clearly identify the role – duties, function, etc. – that the planning (as an institutional activity) rather than the planners (as professionals) may have. As much as this demarcation may seem trivial at first sight, it enables us to appreciate and discuss various issues at the centre of the contemporary debate more clearly. Three of particular importance have been chosen here concerning: (i) the political dimension; (ii) ethical obligations; (iii) communicative processes. These issues seem particularly suited to illustrating the differences under consideration.