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Socialist planning played an enormous role in the economic and political history of the twentieth century. Beginning in the USSR it spread round the world. It influenced economic institutions and economic policy in countries as varied as Bulgaria, USA, China, Japan, India, Poland and France. How did it work? What were its weaknesses and strengths? What is its legacy for the twenty-first century? Now in its third edition, this textbook is fully updated to cover the findings of the period since the collapse of the USSR. It provides an overview of socialist planning, explains the underlying theory and its limitations, looks at its implementation in various sectors of the economy, and places developments in their historical context. A new chapter analyses how planning worked in the defence-industrial complex. This book is an ideal text for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in comparative economic systems and twentieth-century economic history

BERNHARD SCHÄFERS HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT PLANNING CAN BE analysed theoretically with regard to three central features : first, from the standpoint of human nature and the history of human development; planning thus refers to how people conceive of their future activity; secondly, from the standpoint of 'modern science', in which planning is seen as an attempt to develop the prognostic and plan-oriented capacity of science; and thirdly from the standpoint of the conditions for the existence of industrial-technical societies, in the context of which planning is conceived of as an endeavour to effect the comprehensive direction of these societies as well as the co-ordination of its subsystems.

Cover -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Urban development and planning -- The process of urban planning -- The urban planning agenda -- The structure of the book -- 1. The Evolution of Urban Change and Planning -- Introduction -- The early development of urban areas -- The changing city in the nineteenth century -- The structure and dynamics of the industrial city -- The origins of modern town planning -- The inter-war period -- Urban planning during and after the Second World War -- The post-war period -- From modernism to postmodernism in urban planning -- Post-industrial change and planning -- Conclusions -- 2. Governance and the Implementation of Planning -- Introduction -- Governance and planning systems in Europe -- Planning systems in the Americas, Asia and Australasia -- Planning at different scales -- Conclusions -- 3. Sustainable Development and the Goals of Planning -- Introduction -- Population change -- Land use change, urbanization and urban sprawl -- Global environmental challenges -- Towards sustainable development -- Sustainable urban development -- Conclusions -- 4. Economic Change, Development and Urban Planning -- Introduction -- The nature and structure of urban economies -- The drivers of economic growth and change -- Strategies for local economic development -- Policy responses: land use planning -- Policy responses: transformation -- Alternative approaches to local economic development -- Conclusions -- 5. Retailing, Central Areas and Urban Planning -- Introduction -- Changing patterns of retailing -- Revitalizing the city centre -- Planning urban centres and controlling retail and commercial development -- The new economy of urban centres -- Conclusions -- 6. Housing and Neighbourhood Issues in Urban Planning -- Introduction.

The story of the making and eventual implementation of a city and regional plan for the Londonderry area makes fascinating reading. Published in 1968, just before the outbreak of the recent 'troubles', it became the basis for subsequent plans implemented by officials of the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and dedicated community leaders. Their often heroic commitment to the future of the city and its environs transcends even the worst days of civil strife. The author was one of a small team that made the plan and he places it in context, explains how it came to be made and records the difficulties of planners working in the political circumstances that prevailed. Against the background of the general social, economic and physical conditions of the city and region, he focuses on the housing crisis before elaborating on the making of the plan in particular. Professor McSheffrey stresses that although the story may be of interest to planners and development professionals, it is not an academic study of the planning process. He hopes it will introduce general readers to the importance of planning and the complex social and ethical issues inherent in the process. Planning Derry for example, involved value judgements concerning people and political and religious views in Northern Ireland at the time, but he has tried to be objective and avoid bias or the espousal of a particular political viewpoint. The book is, above all, about the dedication of individuals who believed their planning efforts could make a difference and provide better living conditions and choices for the people of the area. McSheffrey concludes on an optimistic note concerning the future place of Derry in Ireland. As the peace process unfolds, he hopes that perhaps the people of Derry, as they continue to develop and rebuild their city, might become a symbol of liberation from the past and of expectations of a peaceful and prosperous future for all Irish people