Explanation of the Role of Power-knowledge in the Spatial Planning with Emphasis on Disciplinary Power and Bio-Power

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate in Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Design, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant professor, Department of Political Thought and Science, Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: In spite of existing several urban development plans in developing countries and the major use of instrumental rationality in the preparation of these plans, it can be seen that the problems of these cities, including informal settlements, dilapidated fabric and urban economy, have not been solved and got worse and worse. Therefore, instead of analyzing the process and implementation of urban development plans, the hidden aspect of urban theory, power, and the effect of that in the process of urban planning must be considered that usually is neglected by urban planners.
Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to explain the role of power-knowledge in the process of spatial planning by emphasis on disciplinary power and bio-power.
Methodology: The approach of this study is social constructionism and the research method is Foucault discourse analysis by accepting this hypothesis that capitalism is shifting from imperialism to empire. In addition, two aspect of Power-knowledge such as disciplinary power and bio-power are analyzed and then the role of power in the process of spatial planning from the point of view of critical urban theory is defined.
Results: From a power-knowledge perspective, Foucault's production of space is not merely derived from the laws and regulations and formal process of spatial planning, and several factors, including disciplinary knowledge and discourse, disciplinary institutions, permanent exceptions, and bio-power, are effective in spatial planning.
Conclusion: It is necessary thaturban planners in addition to traditional urban planning approaches that they have learned in university, consider power-knowledge issue in the process of urban planning to be more efficient in the informal process of urban planning.

Highlights

Due to the interdependence and relationship between political economy and power with urban planning and on the other hand the limited history of research in this field, especially in Iran, this article addresses one of the fundamental issues in this field (the role of power-knowledge in the process of spatial planning) and tries to theorize this issue and analyses the neglected issue of power in the process of spatial planning.

Keywords

References

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Urban Planning Knowledge
Volume 5, Issue 2
June 2021
Pages 133-151

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History

  • Receive Date: 29 December 2020
  • Revise Date: 23 January 2021
  • Accept Date: 15 March 2021

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