The role of evaluation in the planning process: The rhetoric and the reality, a Strathclyde case study

Duffy, Maria B (1981) The role of evaluation in the planning process: The rhetoric and the reality, a Strathclyde case study. MPhil(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

In Britain today, the case for planning is fully accepted and comprehensive planning has been with us for many years. The main challenge and focus of planning's attention now, ought to be with improving the process, so that what takes place in practice is more related and relevant to community needs and desires. Evaluation is considered to play a vital role in the improvement of public policy-making. Until relatively recently evaluation has been a surprisingly neglected part of that process. Attention has been given to advancing the methodological and technical aspects of plan/policy evaluation. However, there has been little emphasis on its appropriate role in the planning process. The few studies which have been undertaken including Lichfield et al's seminal contribution have only discussed pre-evaluation. This study examines the role of post-evaluation in the planning process and the implications that it has for improving the public policy-rmaking process. Part one is concerned with the rhetoric - the concepts and theory underpinning the role of evaluation in the planning process. Chapter one outlines the aims and scope of the study and discusses those factors contributing to an increased need for evaluation. Chapter two focusses attention on the planning process and the way in which evaluation fits into that process. Different models of the process have different implications for the role of evaluation. Chapter three looks at the institutionalisation of evaluation into the planning process. It examines the government procedures and structures within which planning takes place and the consequent implications this has for the role of evaluation. The dearth of legislation serves to illustrate the lack of importance attached to evaluation. Chapter four, builds on the first three chapters and develops a typology of potential roles which evaluation might play in the planning process. Part two looks at the reality - by examining the extent to which these potential roles have been achieved in practice. The support for and constraints against an enhanced role for evaluation are discussed and tentative recommendations made. Chapter five examines the role of evaluation in the planning process of a local authority, namely Strathclyde Regional Council. This empirical research considers various of the evaluative machinery and the views of elected members and officers in the Council. The typology constructed is used as a framework for this appraisal. Chapter six discusses the emergent issues and draws tentative conclusions. Prom an understanding of the reasons of support for and constraints against evaluation, some tentative policy recommendations are made to make for an improved and a more effective public policy-making process and local government.

• Item Type: Thesis (MPhil(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Douglas McCallum
• Keywords: Urban planning
• Date of Award: 1981
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1981-74127
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 23 Sep 2019 15:33
• Last Modified: 23 Sep 2019 15:33
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/74127