Planning in (Post)Colonial Settings: Challenges for Theory and Practice

Abstract

Planning processes that make space for Indigenous peoples in Australia appear to herald more inclusive and socially just practices, in the critical collaborative tradition, as they respond to Indigenous rights-claims and aspirations. The article describes a case in western Victoria where non-Indigenous planners are forging new relationships with Indigenous land claimant groups. The case extends current theorisations about more collaborative and socially just practices of planning in multicultural settings, and highlights the further theoretical and practical work to be done to fully realise the complexities of planning in (post)colonial settings.

Keywords:

• Planning theory
• Indigenous peoples
• post-colonialism
• participation

Notes

1. In Australia, the term ‘Indigenous’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this article, the term ‘Indigenous’ is used throughout to avoid confusion and aid readability. This includes reference to Victorian Indigenous groups claiming native title even though they do not include peoples of the Torres Strait. The term ‘Aboriginal’ is used where a direct quote or proper title employs that term.

2. ‘Country’ refers to “the collective identity shared by a group of people, their land (and sea) estate” (Palmer, 2001) and includes all the “values, places, resources, stories, and cultural obligations” associated with that estate (Smyth, 1994).

3. The Wotjobaluk, with other claimant groups, received recognition of their native title in December 2005, although only over a substantially reduced area than was in their original claim.