Planning for possibilities through critical pragmatism. John Forester in conversation with Giusy Pappalardo and Martin Westin

Abstract

This booklet traces over four decades of scholarly debate and planning practice through the evolution of John Forester’s formulation of a critical pragmatism. Drawing on Forester’s writings, autobiographical reflections, and intergenerational dialogues with planners—as fostered by the AESOP Young Academic Booklet Series Conversations in Planning Theory and Practice—the volume examines how critical pragmatism has developed across time. Structured around four analytical phases of Forester’s work, it explores: (1) the late 1970s–1980s focus on power and communicative action; (2) the 1990s–early 2000s emphasis on learning from practice through stories; (3) the 2000s engagement with conflict mediation and democratic deliberation; and (4) the 2010s attention to improvisation, context responsiveness, and the practical judgment required in planning environments. These phases—described by Forester as “the hidden bones” of his intellectual trajectory—reveal a sustained effort to refine and extend insights from Habermas, Freire, Nussbaum, and others. The booklet also reflects on the post 2020 global landscape shaped by the COVID 19 pandemic, socioecological movements, and renewed struggles against racialized violence and wars. In this context, Forester’s recent work underscores two increasingly vital skills for planners: improvising wisely and listening carefully. These commitments resonate with broader scholarship on the ethics of care, suggesting that planning with care may represent a further evolution of critical pragmatism. The volume concludes with various scholarly contributions and reflections by the co-authors, Giusy Pappalardo and Martin Westin, offering a multifaceted perspective on Forester’s enduring influence on planning theory and practice.