The planning system and its impact on sustainable urban form and energy demand

The Dutch physical planning system is at a turning point. Recently the Government proposed a new institutional framework for spatial planning. Theoretically, existing planning hierarchy suggests that planning in the Netherlands is conducted systematically, including a strong notion of integrated rationality and definition of goals. Theoretically, energy efficiency might be such a goal and hence, energy efficiency could be served by the planning system.
In practice, the planning process is discursive and decisions are usually made through concerted action based on negotiations. At first sight, the intention to change the planning system is rationally oriented. However, the main lines of the proposal deviate from the insights into planning sustainability. Balanced decision-making and ‘governance’ may be affected. This is not likely to be favourable to energy efficiency, because these aspects are usually recognised as crucial to planning sustainability. Land use planning, planning policy and planning implementation introduce constraints for energy efficiency in consumption as well as for implementation of renewable options.
The current trends in the planning system will be discussed with respect to the principles of sustainability and the consequences in the energy domain. The focus will be on the way knowledge of local conditions (‘situated knowledge’) is used in planning, which will be illustrated with examples of the significance of using such knowledge. If a planning process is closed as in the proposed ‘funnel model’, specific knowledge forms and value systems (experiential, local, tacit) are excluded.