Bridging the Gaps: Connecting Spatial Planning with Land-Use Science and Political Ecology

In this chapter, the concept and principles of ecological rationality are examined more specifically with regard to planning theory and practice. We discuss the inherent inability of current decision-making systems in general and planning systems, in particular, to effectively address complex ecological issues. To address this and to redefine planning under the paradigm of ecological rationality, we propose a deeper cross-fertilization between planning and two cognate disciplines: Land-Use Science and Political Ecology. We illustrate and discuss the main principles and concepts of these disciplines and the potential interplays with spatial planning theory. We also discuss potentialities and limitations of Landscape Ecology and put forward possible novel lines of research for mutual enhancement of these different disciplinary areas towards a holistic conceptual frame.