Planning as Political Theatre: Chronicle of Two Megaprojects Foretold [Hardcover]

This book examines two large and highly controversial urban infill projects in two peripheral European capitals - Tirana and Helsinki - through the lens of dramaturgy and political theatre.?

This book examines two large and highly controversial urban infill projects in two peripheral European capitalsTirana and Helsinkithrough the lens of dramaturgy and political theatre. The authors argue that the planning processes in both cities have been farcical, following the so-called disillusionment arc in storytellingthat is, coming to terms with the inevitability of private developments where vast sums of money are at stake and power does not rest with the people. Beyond these case studies, the book introduces the concept of planning distortion which blends socio-institutional phenomena such as corruption, neoliberalism, and undemocratisation. It will appeal to planning theorists and readers interested in the European periphery, particularly the Nordics and the Balkans.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

CHAPTER 1    Introduction

CHAPTER 2    Play 1: Tirana Rocks

CHAPTER 3    Play 2: Garden Helsinki

CHAPTER 4    Synthesis: Power and money

CHAPTER 5    Conclusion: Undistorting planning

           

REFERENCES

APPENDICES 

INDEX

Dorina Pojani is Associate Professor of Urban Planning at The University of Queensland, Australia. A native of Albania, she conducts international and comparative research on various aspects of the blÓ!