Retooling Planning - Towards Trading Zone Capabilities

The dissertation research is a compilation of four individual articles and an introductory section developing and synthesizing the article themes. The overall research interest guiding the study is concerned with the question of what kinds of resources Finnish planners need to be able to fulfil their demanding professional roles. In order to better understand the demands planning professionals are faced with, the dissertation presents novel empirical findings regarding the competence requirements of Finnish architect-planners, in addition to the learning challenges of the planning field as a whole. The empirical data consists of surveys, interviews and an educational pilot. The study presents a theoretical interpretation of the contradictory challenges identified in the work of Finnish architect-planners. The concepts of dilemma, paradox, conflict and pathology are offered as analytical tools to grasp various aspects of the developmental tensions. Learning is conceptualized as transcending theses developmental tensions by retooling or re-mediating existing practices and moving towards new forms of practice. A typology of developmental tensions and corresponding capabilities on four levels (intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational and system level) is presented. The study further develops the theoretical and methodological examination of the notion of trading zone for planning research.