Planning in two spheres - uncovering daily working practices
Topics: Digital Geographies
, Urban and Regional Planning
, Planning Geography
Keywords: Technology and planning, Science and Technology Studies, digital and analogue planning practices, data organization, visualization, doing planning
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 28
Authors:
Anne Kuppler, University of Münster
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Abstract
Planner’s daily work is shaped by seemingly two opposing spheres: analogue techniques and digital visualization tools. Following a qualitative research approach that included ethnographic and participatory methods, we gathered empirical data in German planning agencies in order to illuminate the blurring boundaries between individual organization, representation and decision-making in both digital and analogue worlds (Houdart 2008, Al-Kodmany 2002).
Drawing on theoretical concepts borrowed from Science and Technology Studies (STS) and Organizational Research (Suchman 2006, Mol 2010), we learned about the dominance of mundane digital practices when it comes to planners’ work: the challenge to find, manage, arrange, recycle, order and sort out digital data – such as maps, photographs, protocols, catalogues and materials of previous projects. Plus, soft- and hardware ‘bugs’ that have to be dealt with in work flows.
First observations of our research lead to the assumption that despite their importance, digital micro practices are under-represented and neither mirrored in final end-products (Law 2004), such as models and plans, nor recognized in planners’ self-portrayals and their conception of planning. We argue that ‘doing planning’ is still represented by prestigious analogue techniques that unfold legitimizing power.
Planning in two spheres - uncovering daily working practices
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Virtual Paper Abstract
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