In planning, framing is the process that enables planning action by making discussions about problems and solutions meaningful to various groups.
Based on the work of Healey (1992) and Van Herzele (2004), framing involves building upon local knowledge and ideas. This allows planners to shape the dialogue around planning issues in ways that resonate with different publics.
Understanding Framing in Planning
Framing in planning is essentially about how planning issues are defined and communicated. It's not just about presenting facts, but about choosing how to talk about those facts and connecting them to the perspectives and experiences of the people involved.
- Enabling Action: According to Healey (1992) and Van Herzele (2004), framing is critical because it enables planning action. Without a shared or understandable way of talking about problems and potential solutions, it's difficult for diverse groups to come together and move forward.
- Leveraging Local Knowledge: The process builds off local knowledge and ideas. This means planners need to understand the context, history, values, and concerns of the community or stakeholders they are working with.
- Meaningful Discussion: The goal is to facilitate discussions that are meaningful to different publics. This acknowledges that different groups of people may see the same issue differently, based on their own experiences and interests. Effective framing helps bridge these perspectives or at least allows for constructive conversation despite differences.
How Framing Works in Practice
Consider a proposal for a new park in a neighborhood. Different groups might frame the issue differently:
- Residents: Might frame it around quality of life, green space access, or potential impact on property values.
- Environmentalists: Could frame it around biodiversity, urban heat island effect, or stormwater management.
- Businesses: Might frame it in terms of potential foot traffic, development opportunities, or costs.
- Local Government: May frame it around public health, community amenities, or budget implications.
A planner using framing would listen to these different perspectives (building off local knowledge) and try to communicate about the park proposal in ways that acknowledge and connect with these various frames, facilitating a more productive dialogue.
Practical Applications:
- Identifying dominant narratives around a planning issue.
- Tailoring communication to specific stakeholder groups.
- Highlighting different aspects of a proposal depending on the audience.
- Finding common ground by reframing issues in a way that resonates across groups.
Framing is a dynamic and often iterative process, crucial for navigating the complex social and political landscapes where planning takes place.
