The Systems Approach in Physical Planning: An Illustrated Consideration of its Possibilities and Limitations

Abstract

Among the elements of contemporary science which have spilled over into the area of physical planning, the systems approach is unique. It is unique in the broad range of possibilities that many people think it promises; unique in the wide range of technical and procedural tools that it incorporates; unique in its underlying concepts, language and philosophy. It is also unique in the wide range of meanings attached to its very idea in different circles of planners, not to mention the doubts and fears it arouses in those for whom it represents yet another step away from concrete reality. This uniqueness has been reason enough for one of the working groups at the NATO Advanced Study Institute, (consisting of physical planners, architects, anthropologists, economists, engineers and social scientists from different countries), to choose as their theme for discussion, the systems approach as it relates to physical planning.