Analysing and evaluating argumentation in planning

Recent developments in textual analysis in the social sciences can be used to analyse the phenomenon called the 'argumentative' or 'communicative' turn by, for example, Patsy Healey. In this paper, modern argumentation theory, in particular the pragma-dialectical theory of Frans van Eemeren and Rob Grootendorst, together with some elements from discourse analysis, are discussed as theoretical and practical tools in analysing and evaluating arguments used in planning. It appears that there are many features in planning texts that are predominantly rhetorical and which have to be taken into account in order to reveal the basic structure of argumentation. I also discuss how planning argumentation could be developed in order to answer the challenges of participation as well as other new demands, such as sustainability.((1))