Evaluating Plans, Processes and Results

Abstract

This paper describes the design of an evaluation methodology—the Plan-Process-Results (PPR) approach—and its application to the municipal urban plans currently in force in the two largest Portuguese cities, Lisbon and Oporto. After the identification of the main contributions from a literature review, the fundamental elements of this methodology are characterised. Each case study is appraised according to rationality, performance and conformance, and a number of planning proposals are presented to improve planning practice in each of these cities. Finally, the main similarities and differences between both case studies, as well as the main reasons for these, are identified.

Keywords:

• Planning evaluation
• urban plans
• planning process
• evaluation methodologies

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grant SFRH/BD/17523/2004 from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. The authors would like to thank the editor and the three anonymous referees for their most relevant and detailed comments.

Notes

1. The length of the time period and the number of inhabitants should be taken in consideration in the comparison between different case studies.

2. The sample included fifty planning applications. The distribution of the planning applications by the four parishes referred to above, reflects the dynamics of urban development within each parish. The selection of each of the projects was based on its impact on the urban tissue of Lisbon.

3. Such as the typological zoning (despite some changes in the land use category of Areas of Isolated Buildings).