Multiple Dimensions of Strategic Spatial Planning: Local Authorities Navigating between Rationalities in Competitive and Collaborative Settings

ABSTRACT

This article scrutinises the role of strategic and communicative rationalities in strategic spatial planning. It contributes to the theoretical discussion on strategic spatial planning, where communicative rationality has usually been taken as a normative standpoint, despite the evident role of strategic rationality in guiding planning on the ground. To develop means for equally recognising the two rationalities, the article introduces an analytical framework in which four strategic orientations are identified by juxtaposing coordination through communicative and strategic rationalities with competitive and collaborative settings of social interaction. Its applicability is illustrated with the example of strategic spatial planning in Turku (Finland).

KEYWORDS:

• Communicative rationality
• collaboration
• competition
• strategic spatial planning
• strategic rationality

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Academy of Finland under Grants [303538 and 13333366]; and the Turku Urban Research Programme.

Notes on contributors

K. Granqvist

K. Granqvist, MSc. pursues a PhD at Aalto University, Department of Built Environment. Her research focuses on strategic spatial planning, city-regions, and institutional planning theory.

H. Mattila

H. Mattila, D.Sc. (tech.) is senior university lecturer at Aalto University, Department of Built Environment. Her research interests include planning theory, social & political theory, planning systems and planning law.

R. Mäntysalo

R. Mäntysalo, D.Sc. (tech.) is full professor of strategic urban planning at Aalto University, Department of Built Environment. His research focuses on strategic spatial planning and pragmatist planning theory.

A. Hirvensalo

A. Hirvensalo is a post-doctoral researcher interested in boundary-crossing collaboration in innovation ecosystems, seen through the perspective of ethnomethodology.

S. Teerikangas

S. Teerikangas is Professor of Management & Organization, University of Turku, Finland, and Honorary Professor in Management, University College London. From the study of strategic change and mergers & acquisitions, her research currently relates to sustainability agency. She is editor of Edward Elgar’s Research Handbook of Sustainability Agency (2021).

H. Kalliomäki

H. Kalliomäki, works as an Associate Professor (tenure track) at the School of Management/Regional Studies at the University of Vaasa, Finland. Her ongoing research is related to strategic urban and regional development, innovation policy, and productive interactions between urban researchers and practitioners.