Local Planning Authorities Research Articles

Networks, power and knowledge in the planning system: A case study of energy from waste

Understanding the nature of power relations has been integral to debates in planning theory and planning practice since the 1960s. Current theoretical approaches to planning and power have evolved to a state of pluralism which impacts upon how planning is conceived of and practiced. We seek to examine power relations and knowledge via a multidisciplinary case study of an energy-from-waste (EfW) development based in South Wales. Centred on a highly contested technology, incineration, this case study incorporates in-depth, longitudinal interview data with social network analysis to build up a picture of competing framings of environmental health risk. In local environmental debates, planners are expected to be able to help resolve competition between conflicting interests and yet, in reality, such conflicts often appear intractable and have long been dubbed wicked problems. This is especially the case for waste management. In our in-depth case study, significant pre-existing power relations existed between the local planning authority (LPA), which was also the lead co-developer in the EfW project, and the local community. In terms of methods, we have been keen to unearth data that allows us to explore the nature of institutional and networked power as it plays out within a community over time. It is our contention that too often the dynamics of power have been underplayed because it is studied as a snapshot rather than over time. Here we have utilised a variety of methods – from key person interviews to social network analysis – to examine the application for development, the operation of the EfW and the closure of the plant – over a ten year time frame. By drawing upon a rich database we can better understand the ways in which, in the case of particularly contentious developments, power relations greatly hampered efforts at public participation. Our nuanced methodological approach reveals empirical evidence for tensions in theoretical approaches to power relations in the planning arena and we can identify how debates can move forward based on a more geographically informed perspective.

Review on the Significance of Local Plan for Coastal Reclamation Development: The Case of Malacca, Malaysia

A Development Plan acts as a planning and controlling instrument that helps to guide in decision making of current and future development. Therefore, in the Malaysian Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172), the provision of development plan from each level of the planning administration is stated in the Act under Section 6B till Section 16B. In examining the significance of one of the many development plans in Malaysia, i.e. the local plan, this paper therefore, focuses on the provision of a local plan by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) of the said area. This paper, thus, aims to evaluate the Central Malacca Local Plan since Malacca is currently experiencing rapid growth in development along the coastal area. The primary data was obtained from interviews with the related planning authorities via face-to-face method. While, secondary data was gathered from related legal documents, policies and guidelines, as well as the existing development plan for the purpose of an in-depth data. Findings revealed incapability of the existing local plan to assist the development control in deciding the planning permission for reclaimed area. The existing local plan shows no zoning for coastal reclamation area because of the rapid growing development and time consuming procedure to amend the local plan according to the Act 172. In addition, the Act 172 and the process in amending the local plan should be more flexible and able to address the current issue efficiently. Finally, the paper concludes with a suggestion for further exploration in order to achieve an operative development process and functioning practice of the local plan.

Urban Planning Roles in Responding to Food Security Needs

Food security is a daily problem for vulnerable groups of urban citizens in developed countries, who face physical and mental stress and poor health outcomes from limited food choices. They are often unable to change their circumstances through the marginalizing impacts of urban planning policy, regulation, and infrastructure barriers. Local government is often confronted with these impacts and absorbs the responsibility to act “on the ground” in the absence of a coordinated, multilevel institutional response. Health professionals and local government urban planners increasingly collaborate to examine the design of cities and towns to improve food security. Despite increased awareness and the inclusion of food security in some planning strategies, regulation, and decision-making, results are limited in many jurisdictions. This research uses a case study methodology to gain insights into the systemic barriers facing local government planners in the state of Victoria, Australia, in responding to municipal food security challenges. Four food-related themes drawn from the data show that both internal systemic barriers and an external lack of fit with federal and state governments blur the understanding of food security challenges and limit planning solutions. Local government planners need consistent legislative and planning scheme priorities, combined with strengthened regulatory tools, to address food security more effectively. Increased feedback opportunities for local government staff to share their valuable experience and knowledge with higher levels of government would allow for a more coordinated approach to addressing this multijurisdictional problem.

The impacts of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines: Implications to land use planning

Recent extreme weather events have brought devastating impacts on people’s lives and infrastructure in many parts of the world. The scale of the impact of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines revealed a high degree of vulnerability and exposure of coastal communities to extreme events in a region that is regularly hit by tropical cyclones. This paper is based on initial assessment of the immediate impacts of Typhoon Haiyan. It was conducted in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc and in the municipality of Palo, which were heavily affected by the impacts of Haiyan. Vulnerability to typhoon-related hazards and impacts of climate change is considered to be one of the major issues affecting land use in these areas. This paper analyzed existing legal framework and how climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) can be incorporated in policies and plans such as the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). It also examined the roles and responsibilities of both central and local governments in the Philippines in terms of land use planning and disaster mitigation strategies and their implications towards the future development of climate resilient communities, particularly in the context of a contentious resettlement process as a result of the application of a hazard-based zoning process. The vulnerability of the Philippines to climate change and natural disasters calls for risk reduction measures that decrease the exposure through land use planning, hazard-based zoning, climate resilient building codes and retrofitting as well as innovative financial incentives. These CCA and DRR measures should be mainstreamed into the local government plans through the CLUP and followed by an effective implementation. However, a key challenge to local decision-makers in these Typhoon Haiyan-affected areas is how to incorporate a range of possible vulnerabilities driven by changing landscape, infrastructure, and socioeconomic conditions in land use planning.

A Comparative Study of the Gwangju Metropolitan City area D regional health plan and regional social welfare plan

This study is intended to provide a basis for the planning of local governments to, analyzed in Gwangju Metropolitan City area D sixth regional health plans and Tertiary regional social welfare plans, establishing phase, the evaluation phase side. Based on the study results suggest the following implications. First, Specifically, it should be established to systematically planning process. Second, Plan's vision, key challenges, businesses are logical and details should be provided consistently. Third, It should be evaluated focusing on residents of the area change. Fourth, Change of plan indicators, performance indicators, etc. must be presented in detail.

Negotiating a dominant heritage discourse. Sustainable urban planning in Cape Coast, Ghana

Purpose – With specific focus on sustainable development of the built environment in Cape Coast, Ghana, the purpose of this paper is to examine practical and conceptual barriers for local planning authorities advancing international outreach programmes based on a global discourse on heritage and heritage management. Design/methodology/approach – A discourse analysis was conducted on documents and programmes produced by international organisations and local planning authorities since 2000. Further qualitative data collection methods included 25 semi-structured interviews, literature and media review and on-site observations. Findings – The study shows that the dominant global discourse on heritage management being interconnected with tourism development is adopted by local planning authorities. However, the requirements to advance initiated urban redevelopment projects are neither adapted to the economic realities nor institutional capabilities of the local planning system. Instead of adjusting specific Ghanaian notions of heritage or local forms of heritage organisations, negotiating the discourse is potentially a more sustainable approach. Practical implications – The findings reveal important implications necessary to address from sustainable development perspective. The study can help practitioners to develop strategies based on local African planning contexts rather than western discourses on best practice. Originality/value – This study discusses the impact of an Authorised Heritage Discourse on local planning of the built environment, and the need to rescale and broaden the scope of such discourses to other levels than the dominating national/global.

Planners as market actors: the role of local planning authorities in the UK’s urban regeneration practice

At a time of public sector retrenchment in urban regeneration it has become increasingly important to understand how planners can help create better places. Recent studies suggest that planners must behave as market actors by strategically deploying planning tools to influence market behaviour. In this context, this paper examines how local planning authorities use a variety of policy instruments to influence urban projects and turn planning strategies into action. To understand how planning tools can be used to achieve successful results in urban regeneration practice, the paper presents a cross-comparison of mixed-use city centre regeneration projects in Bristol and Liverpool.

Policing built environment crime risks: the role of police in CPTED in New South Wales, Australia

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) is now routinely adopted in many parts of the world. The role assumed by police in CPTED practices has however received limited academic attention. Through an analysis of available documentation and interviews with local government planners from 10 Sydney councils, this article provides a (partial) understanding of the historical and contemporary roles police have played in the development and implementation of CPTED guidelines in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. It is argued that the NSW Police Force was a pivotal driver of the introduction of planning guidelines to ensure crime risks are considered when new developments are being planned. However, the ongoing contribution of police appears to have waned, largely due to administrative, practical and operational realities. These findings have relevance for ongoing CPTED practice and the work of specialist policing roles more generally.

Local Government Planning and High-Speed Broadband in Australia

The introduction of the Australian National Broadband Network (NBN) in 2009 raised questions about the potentials of the telecommunications infrastructure for Australian urban and regional planning. The recent decision by the Australian Federal Government to build the NBN, using a mix of technologies, has intensified the need to investigate the implications of telecommunications at the local level, as Australian local governments then need to respond differently based on the level of access provided in each case. The paper investigates such implications in the three areas of e-governance, socioeconomic development, and spatial planning. Building upon the international literature, and empirical data collected from the Australian local governments, it analyzes a raft of mostly unscrutinized policy initiatives developed, over the last few years, to guide the early rollout. The findings show some policy development regarding the socioeconomic implications of the new infrastructure, limited understanding of e-governance potentials, and lagging policy focus on spatial planning.

Self-perceptions of the role of the planner

The role of the planning practitioner has received considerable attention in a diverse range of theoretical and empirical debates within the broad spectrum of planning scholarship from normative debates surrounding the planner's role in society, to more empirical investigations into the skills, attributes, and evolving nature of planning practitioners. Fundamental questions surrounding the role and purpose of planners have also entered into more mainstream discussions as the democratic nature of the planning system has been consistently undermined by allegations of misconduct, corruption, and incompetence. Despite the broad range of literature and debate which centres on the role of the planner, relatively few studies have explored the views of planning practitioners themselves, making it difficult to judge whether the ideas of planning academics are actually shared by those in the field. In this paper we seek to address this particular gap and argue that such insights are critical in determining the extent to which planning practitioners serve to challenge, maintain, or reinforce existing power imbalances in the planning system. The methodology consists of a series of qualitative interviews with twenty local authority planners working throughout the Greater Dublin Area, Ireland. The results suggest that planners' self-perceptions of their role tend to reflect traditional pluralist and managerialist perspectives. More broadly, the results suggest that the role orientations of contemporary planners are being shaped by dominant discourses in current planning ideology — namely, collaborative and participatory approaches.

The costs of housing developments on sites with elevated landslide risk in the UK

New housing targets are being set for local planning authorities resulting in more areas being zoned for development. There is currently no requirement for a landslide assessment prior to this zoning, and sites at elevated risk of landslides are being put forward for development without consideration of the additional costs and other impacts of building on these higher risk sites. This study aimed to reveal the increased financial, economic, social and environmental costs associated with these decisions. Case studies were focused on the city of Bath, an area of increasing population and “one of the most intensely landslipped areas in Britain’’. The case studies found the financial costs associated with building in a landslide risk area to be significantly higher than the equivalent construction in areas of greater geological stability. Furthermore, it was found that uncertainty in cost when developing in unstable areas exacerbates this problem as the final cost cannot be accurately predicted before construction.

Significant UK Environmental Cases: 2014–15

The annual case law review for 2014–15 considers environmental decisions by the senior courts—namely the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal (CA). As with last year, it is not possible to consider all the case law, a continuing sign of the healthy development of environmental law. Significant themes of the case law include habitats law, which the CA considered on three occasions during the year. Habitats law appears to have replaced environmental impact assessment (EIA) as the area of environmental law undergoing the most development. In strategic environmental assessment (SEA), the CA has confirmed the flexibility for local planning authorities to correct earlier errors in the process before adoption of the relevant plan. The words of Sullivan J (as he then was) that EIA and the habitats regime should not be allowed to become an obstacle to environmental decision making1 appears to have become the mainstream judicial approach to EIA, habitats and SEA. This approach is likely to continue given the advent of the Planning Court which draws together judges with experience in environmental and planning law. The costs of environmental litigation continue to engage the senior courts as the international Aarhus Convention remains an influence. The CA has taken another step in bringing the elderly tort of nuisance closer to the modern tort of negligence. The theme of heavier sentences for environmental crime persists with the CA Criminal Division providing guidance on how to ascertain the wealth of individuals. In the area of environmental information, the Supreme Court has considered the constitutional relationship between the Courts and the government in relation to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 regimes. The influence of EU law continues to be felt, particularly in air quality law. Finally, the CA has given important guidance on the weight to be given to the protection of listed buildings and their settings when granting planning permission for development.

The Nature and Consequences of Physical Development under Overhead Electricity Power Lines (EPLs) in Ibadan

Infringement by the public through various physical development activities on lands under overhead electricity power lines (EPLs) has become a widespread practice in Nigerian cities in recent years. This study investigated the scenario along four feeders in Akinyele local government area (LGA) of Ibadan, Oyo State. Investigations revealed the causes of indiscriminate physical development and habitation of right-of-way of EPLs as: weak enforcement of development control regulations along transmission lines, lack of strong political will, shortage of manpower, inadequate operational funds, lack of cooperation between planning agency and electricity provider, and ignorance/lackadaisical attitude of the public to the effects of living under EPLs. Further analysis indicated significant difference in the distribution of ailments (such as high blood pressure, arthritis and skin cancer) between permanent and temporary structures under overhead EPLs in the study area (-0-2 = 9.19 (df = 4), P < 0.05). The paper advocates for a strong political will and strengthening of local planning authorities for effective control of physical developments among other mitigation measures.

Governing calculative practices: An investigation of development viability modelling in the English planning system

Over the last decade the English planning system has placed greater emphasis on the financial viability of development. ‘Calculative’ practices have been used to quantify and capture land value uplifts. Development viability appraisal (DVA) has become a key part of the evidence base used in planning decision-making and informs both ‘site-specific’ negotiations about the level of land value capture for individual schemes and ‘area-wide’ planning policy formation. This paper investigates how implementation of DVA is governed in planning policy formation. It is argued that the increased use of DVA raises important questions about how planning decisions are made and operationalised, not least because DVA is often poorly understood by some key stakeholders. The paper uses the concept of governance to thematically analyse semi-structured interviews conducted with the producers of DVAs and considers key procedural issues including (in)consistencies in appraisal practices, levels of stakeholder consultation and the potential for client and producer bias. Whilst stakeholder consultation is shown to be integral to the appraisal process in order to improve the quality of the appraisals and to legitimise the outputs, participation is restricted to industry experts and excludes some interest groups, including local communities. It is concluded that, largely because of its recent adoption and knowledge asymmetries between local planning authorities and appraisers, DVA is a weakly governed process characterised by emerging and contested guidance and is therefore ‘up for grabs’.

Exploring industrialized housebuilders’ interpretations of local requirements using institutional logics

Industrialized housebuilding contractors use standardized processes and building systems to improve time and cost efficiency. Recent governmental investigations argue that Swedish local planning authorities’ requirement setting practices stifle the potential for increased industrialization. Yet, no previous research has accounted for the industrialized housebuilders’ perspective. We aim to explore industrialized housebuilders’ interpretations of local requirement setting, using institutional logics to increase the understanding of how structure and human agency influence the emergence of local requirements. Interviews were conducted with representatives of five industrialized housebuilders who together span the Swedish multi-family housing market. Findings indicate that industrialized housebuilders do not perceive intentional local requirement setting as problematic, yet struggle to cope with interpretive local requirement setting. Findings also necessitate distinguishing local requirement setting in the exercise of public authority from local requirement setting in public procurement. The agency structure dualism contributes an understanding of interpretive local requirement setting in the exercise of public authority as an expression of agency and of local requirement setting in public procurement as one of structure. Furthermore, using an institutional logics approach is found to provide an accentuation of human agency and the individual level of analysis that is often absent from construction management research.

Local authority tourism planning in Ireland: an environmental perspective

This paper reports on environmental planning for tourism by Local Authorities in Ireland. Every Irish Local Authorities, County Development Plan was investigated, utilising a content analysis approach to identify the provision of environmental planning for tourism. Analysis has found Local Authorities are writing plans which focus on tourism's interaction with the environment and support area protection measures. However, results seem to show a lack of robust and detailed tourism policies, strategies, budgets and guidelines to facilitate the implementation of these legally required five year plans. Furthermore, it would seem that there are a small number of Local Authorities whose plans do not exhibit a clear understanding of sustainable tourism indicators as a viable tool for Local Authority planners.

Preliminary Study on Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan System in China

Incomplete system framework, out-dated contents and poor operability are prominent problems existing in the current marine oil spill contingency plan system of China. In order to solve these problems, this paper put forward the three-level marine oil spill contingency plan system, which is formed by the national, local government and enterprise marine oil spill contingency plans. The three-level plans have their own focuses. The national contingency plan focuses on constructing an orderly and efficient emergency command system according to the national laws and regulations, and conducting cross-regional coordination of emergency resources. The local government contingency plan puts emphasis on constructing the graded emergency response system, coordinating the emergency resources within the local area and making the normative emergency disposal procedures. The enterprise contingency plan is the specific disposal procedures prepared by the oil spill high risk areas or enterprises in order to response to marine oil spill accidents, with more clear responsibilities and stronger operability.

An Exploratory Study of Knowledge Management for Enhanced Efficiency and Effectiveness: The Transformation of the Planning System in the UK Local Government

This paper explores the theoretical and conceptual frameworks, which are informing discussions about how the local government planning system in the UK can embrace the potential of knowledge management to deliver a smart and sustainable approach to physical and urban planning. The general environment of UK planning is contextualized. A number of frameworks are identified: Planning performance agreements (PPAs model); national planning policy framework (NPPF model); Killian pretty review (KPR model); planning portal (PP model); control shift framework (CSF model); framework for communities and local government (FCLG model); and the Nonaka and Takeuchi knowledge framework (SECI model). The authors propose a pragmatic framework (CMT model) and set this in the context of fieldwork being carried out over a period in five planning authorities in the South East Midlands of the UK. The implementation of such a framework will require a recognition of both social factors and technologies, including the key supportive and preventive factors. The growing availability of technology platforms, familiarity with the digital environment and factors pushing market and organisational change provide opportunities to realise necessary and important changes.

From Planning Obligations to Community Infrastructure Levy: A New Planning Tool for England

The English system of developers’ contributions towards community infrastructure and services remained unchanged for a 40 year period from 1968 to 2008. In 2008 a reform of paramount importance that introduced a new system of developers contributions was passed by the parliament. Thus, negotiated planning obligations were scaled back to include affordable housing and site specific contributions only and provisions for the Community Infrastructure Levy were made. The present paper aims at understanding the potential of this new tool for delivering community infrastructure and services and how it is perceived by local planning authorities who are to set out charging schedules. For this purpose a questionnaire survey was submitted to nearly 300 local authorities in order to obtain their views on the new system. The answers to the questionnaire allowed to explore the implications of planning obligations for the whole planning system. Furthermore, it allowed the attitude of local authorities towards the new tool to be understood as well as the advantages and downsides that may derive from the use of the Community Infrastructure Levy, before it is actually introduced by all local planning authorities, and other planning policy changes.

地域の課題とニーズに基づくロンドンの区立図書館「Idea Store」の再編と都市・地域計画の関係

London Borough of Tower Hamlets has successfully renewed local public libraries as Idea Stores. This research focuses on UK library policies, London spatial plan and Tower Hamlets's community plan, and aims to make clear of progress of reorganization of public library in Tower Hamlets, which corresponds to the local problems and needs. It turns out that Tower Hamlets Council relocated the libraries according to the London Plan and local development framework. Besides, it expands library service based on Central Government's library polices as well as Tower Hamlets Community Plan. These policies, especially local government's plan, provide important context for refreshing Tower Hamlets's libraries.