Why Tea Party Criticism Should Matter to Planners

Andrew H. Whittemore contends that planners dismiss the far-fetched theories of a grand United Nations sustainability conspiracy at their own peril.

1 minute read

February 8, 2012, 5:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Responding to a piece that ran in The New York Times over the weekend, Whittemore points out planners should be aware that, "these events speak to deep-seeded conservative concerns about property rights, the planning process, and the paradigms guiding planning today." He also claims that, "a critique of sustainability from within the field is overdue."

Whittemore suggests that the mere denial of a conspiracy, as he contends the APA has advised, is counter-productive, and suggests ideas for engaging Agenda 21 in a more productive dialogue.

"Of course blight and unsustainable practices are problems, but planners can avoid conflict by being explicit about the most direct harms coming to residents and businesses, giving attention to local solutions, and certainly dropping the jargon."

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 in The Atlantic Cities

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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