Reflexive Planning as Design and Work: Lessons from the Port of Amsterdam

Abstract

In recent years, planning theorists have advanced various interpretations of the notion of reflexivity, inspired by American pragmatism, complexity theory, hermeneutics, discursive and collaborative planning. Scholars agree that "reflexivity" has a strong temporal dimension: it not only aims to solve present planning problems, but to imagine and understand alternative trajectories for future action. This article explores the practical utility of reflexivity for planners, through a case study that focuses on a project to promote sustainable development in the Port of Amsterdam. Reflexivity in planning emerges as a new tool for generating critical knowledge and dialogue that can synthesise the perspectives of multiple actors in a common understanding, existing structural constraints and a collective imagination of alternative future possibilities. Such research highlights the potential of this approach to generate a creative reconfiguration of the present, and to build capacity for meaningful and considered change.

A Case for Coastal Theory with Lessons from Planning Theory

“…Due to the limited availability of resources there is often a struggle to determine how to appropriately and equitably distribute resources and provide an optimal solution for stakeholders within the coastal zone. With greater coordination from a broad range of stakeholders, resource allocation may become more equitable while resulting in increased economic development, environmental quality, sustainability, and the well being of coastal resource users (Fedra 2004 An interesting theoretical analysis of how themes including communicative planning have played out in a coastal setting is presented by Lissandrello and Grin (2011). They analyze lessons from a case study on Amsterdam's regional dialogue, which was an example of "reflexive planning."…”

Towards adaptive tourism areas? A complexity perspective to examine the conditions for adaptive capacity

“…It may help actors to oversee that tourism areas do not become too specialised and uniform or too diverse and fragmented. Lissandrello and Grin (2011) emphasise that reflexivity should also address actor networks and governance systems. These should not become static entities, but should be open to new actors, perspectives, strategies or policies.…”

How to Plan for Transformative Change in light of New Mobility Technologies? A Discussion on Reflexivity as a Planning Principle and the Format of Real-world Laboratories

“…Acknowledging that there is not one, but several possible ways, with often contradicting futures, reflexive strategies are vital for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary processes which pursue alternative trajectories (Freudendal-Pedersen & Kesselring, 2016). Lissandrello and Grin (2011) introduced one example of how reflexivity can be integrated into urban planning practice which they framed 'as a new tool for generating critical knowledge and dialogue' (p. 223). The multi-stakeholder 'region dialogue' on sustainable developments in the Port of Amsterdam served as a case study for a planning process in which various stakeholder perspectives were synthesised and past, present, and future developments were reflected.…”

“…While urban planning projects often develop reflexively, that is, through a perpetual coordination of a multitude of stakeholders and their respective forces (Jessen et al, 2008), the cited example of second-order reflexivity transcends mere cognitive actualisation. Instead, it explores the capacity for change through a social learning process grounded in intentionality and consciousness (Lissandrello & Grin, 2011). The approach is valuable to further considerations on guiding urban mobility transitions, as it emphasizes the 'transformative potential of agency' (Lissandrello & Grin, 2011, p. 224).…”