Editorial

摘要

For some people, planning is inherently an activity of the Left because it involves using the power of the state to constrain markets forces. It is of the essence of planning that it interferes with free choice (i.e. the freedom of those who have choices), so that means it must be Left wing. Others however regard planning today as predominantly Right wing because it's most conspicuous beneficiaries seem to be the dominant interests - property developers, internationally oriented businesses, starchitects, and generally those who are already better-off. The social substance designated by both terms - planning, and the Left - has always been ambiguous.