The Importance of Theory in Planning
Introduction: The aim of this paper is to explore the importance of theory in planning. Emphasis is on the educative and informative roles of theory in planning. I will also describe the level of ethical guidance provided by theory and its ability in elevating planning to a firmer scientific and academic footing. The paper ends with a concluding statement.
Educative Role: Over the past several years, the planning literature has witnessed a major proliferation of theoretical traditions (Friedman 2000).The ubiquity of this trend has resulted in the regular use of theories in educative forms to address planning oriented problems. Theory has had a long-term educational potential in assisting the planning profession meet some of its goals and in understanding the citizens concerns about several issues. In that light, the use of certain theoretical skills and knowledge acquired from planning education are critical in reaching certain decisions within the domain of environmental planning. Negotiation skills made popular from communicative theory not only provide the essential ingredients for dialogue (Habermass 1987), but it helps foster the basis for reaching a common ground in natural resource planning which transcends the boundaries of several communities, regions and states. 

The North American Water Fowl Habitat Management Plan and the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) involving the state of Louisiana and others (Hallowell 2001), are some of the several transboundary environmental planning initiatives where negotiation skills are in use. Given that the nature of these planning activities are adhoc and incremental (Briassoulis 1989). Efficient communication and the ability to reach a compromise on the framing of the broader issues based on dialogic approach is of a paramount importance in these settings.
Informative Relevance of Theory: The ability to inform decision making in planning practice is one of the several roles of theory. In the last couple of years, advances in implementation theory played a fundamental role in informing decision makers about the relevance of implementation stage in the planning process. This is different from the early phase of planning when the profession showed little consideration for implementation. However, this stance quickly waned when theorists began discovering the problems created by the absence of implementation in planning. Against this background, planning agencies that saw a need to put all aspects of planning policy into effect simultaneously began to incorporate plan implementation in their policies. These advances provided the framework for gauging the extent to which execution of plans coincided with was originally intended (Taylor 2002).
Provision of Ethical Guidance: Ethical theory provides a valuable guidance for sensitizing planners upon how to uphold the professional mandate, integrity, and objectivity on matters involving developers, the public, disadvantaged poor and colleagues (Wilson 1986). To address some of these concerns, AICP has a code of ethics anchored in various philosophical and theoretical traditions that are familiar to planners (Whacs 1995). Proper observance of the professional ethical code of conduct in place for planners helps chart a moral high ground for holding the members accountable.

Ethical theory as conceptualized by Rawls provides a frame of reference based on justice and equity that addresses ways of protecting the poor from certain decisions taken by planners (Hendler 1995). Under such a premise, there is an expectation that the use of knowledge need not weaken the dignity of the poor in matters dealing with intergenerational fairness in the use of natural resources. Interestingly, it requires that, each generation should leave enough and as good for others that follow on (Pearce and Turner 1993). In planning practice, it means policies directed at the conservation of land to sustain future needs.
Elevation of Planning to a Much Firmer Theoretical Footing: In absence of theory, most professions rarely lay claim to scientific and intellectual status. In the case of planning, the emergence of theories is a trend that has, over many generations or so, carried the discipline from its early and current state to a high level of scientific and intellectual competence. This is precisely embodied in some aspects of rational comprehensive theory (Faludi 1973).
A close analysis of a typical master planning document reminds one of some aspects of rational comprehensive theory. Classic examples are maps that are often the handiwork of collective team of experts. Others include the use of quantitative techniques in planning research. As part of a planning exercise, this procedure relies on scientific methods, analysis and good use of knowledge in making observations. This is because as planners deal with problems affecting different groups in society, the choice of a given theory influences the methods used in answering the questions and arriving at conclusions. The correct use of these approaches places planning on a much firmer theoretical footing as an academic discipline.
Conclusion: Having gone this fair, it is evident that theory has some relevance in planning. When used properly, theory has the potentials to lift the profession to higher levels.
Merem Edmund 2003