The Weil of the Planner

Determining the Role of the Planner with Simone Weil, Paulo Freire, and Communicative Planning

Abstract

This essay explores the evolving role of urban planners in the face of advancing technology and automation, emphasizing the need for planners to focus on aspects of city-building that technology cannot replicate, such as community engagement. Current practices often reduce engagement to mere information collection, which can be automated, thereby diminishing community agency. To redefine the planner's role, the essay draws on the political philosophy of Simone Weil, Paulo Freire’s community development theory and critical pedagogy, and Communicative Planning Theory (CPT). Weil’s emphasis on the obligations of citizens and the needs of the human soul, Freire’s advocacy for critical pedagogy to empower communities, and CPT’s focus on discourse and consensus-building collectively suggest that planners should function as ensurers, educators, and facilitators. The essay argues for a shift from traditional planning roles towards a collaborative approach where planners ensure community needs are met, educate stakeholders through critical dialogue, and facilitate meaningful engagement processes. This transformation aims to foster a sense of agency in communities, positioning them as active contributors to city development rather than passive participants.