Evaluation of state-based and civil society-based collaborative planning in the context of urban social justice

Traditional planning strategies based in state control remain the norm in the face of postmodern influences that suggest techniques that increase the influence of citizens and institutions of civil society in planning. These techniques utilize principles of collaboration in planning processes. This civil society-based collaborative planning approach, while popular, needs further investigation and clearer definition.;This dissertation relies upon qualitative research methods, specifically case studies. The two cases are located in low-income neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado, and represent neighborhood-scale urban open space planning. The primary method of data acquisition was interviewing key participants and other people familiar with the cases; this data was supplemented by document review and on-site observation.;I examine the cases to determine if civil society-based collaborative planning produces more socially just results than the state-based methods that advocates of civil society collaboratives seek to replace. The most important findings of this research are: (1) State-based and civil society-based collaborative planning can achieve socially just planning results. (2) Collaborative planning based in civil society is not necessarily better at providing socially just results than state-based collaborative planning. (3) Civil society-based collaborative planning theory was adequate to explain outcomes, but its use was not supported solely by a social justice justification. (4) Cognitive complementarity, the maximization of the benefits of group thinking, was important to the success of both cases, while the degree of collective action was not. Collaborative planning theorists and advocates are thus correct when they suggest a theoretical linkage between more inclusive techniques and socially just outcomes. But the extension of the logic of empowerment and inclusion that would suggest the use of such planning methods from institutions of civil society instead of from the state was not supported by this research. Collaborative planning located within the state and civil society proved to be equally successful at achieving social justice. Thus, other justifications than social justice, for example, cost effectiveness, need to be relied on to remove planning processes from their traditional location with the state.