Planning as redescription: Toward a neopragmatist theory of planning

This paper outlines a neopragmatist theory of planning. It argues that spatial planning operates under plurality, uncertainty, and conflict and cannot be understood as expert application, means–ends optimization, or consensus production. Following Richard Rorty, planning is redescribed as a fallibilist, legally and democratically legitimized practice of working with vocabularies, metaphors, and redescriptions that make spatial problems, possibilities, and futures negotiable. Drawing on Ralf Dahrendorf, the paper conceptualizes planning as affecting life chances by expanding or restricting options and stabilizing, transforming, or damaging ligatures. It offers a metatheoretical vocabulary for reflecting on planning’s usefulness, limits, conflicts, responsibilities, and side effects.