Planning Ghosts and Adaptive Planners

Abstract

This article summarizes the closing lecture of the AESOP–IFHP Lecture Series, delivered by Cliff Hague in Riga on 13 December 2013. Using a creative reinterpretation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Hague explored the “Ghosts of Planning Past, Present and Future” to reflect on the evolution and future direction of urban planning. The article recaps his presentation and the discussion that followed, emphasizing three main themes: the enduring relevance of planning education; the evolving role of architecture in sustainable redevelopment; and the shifting role of the planner from a top-down administrator to a facilitator of participatory planning processes. The lecture encouraged planners to embrace adaptability, foster citizen involvement, and respond to the socio-economic transformations shaping urban environments. The report also provides insights into AESOP's upcoming initiatives, including the continued Lecture Series (with EURA as a new partner), the 2014 Congress, and enhanced cooperation with disP journal to reflect AESOP Thematic Groups’ debates.