Obscuring difference through shaping debate: A Lacanian view of planning for diversity

Abstract

Lacanian theory posits that human subjectivity implicitly seeks to overlook contradiction, difference and ambiguity to fulfil aspirations for a harmonious and complete world. Planning traditionally relies on this “social” desire for its effectiveness in shaping policy frames, or ideological perspectives, from which to strategically orientate urban policy towards the future. This may sit at odds with the conceptualization of the postmodern city as constituted by spaces of difference and diversity. Lacanian discourse theory will be used to examine how the beliefs of the planning profession are shaped and then implemented in our urban environments. The implications of addressing diversity as both a fundamental planning reality underlying many of our urban environments and as a major planning ideal, exemplified by multiculturalism, will be explored in this context and found to be of concern without revision to established institutional planning practices and wider societal expectations of urban management.

Acknowledgements

My thanks to John Lovering and the anonymous referees for their depth of thought and their challenging and insightful comments as to how to make this a more informative article. The article's continued failings are, of course, those of the author.