Assessing planning paradigms for urban development: a case of Lucknow, U. P.

Abstract

Thomas Kuhn coined the term ‘paradigm’ in 1962 and it has since then been used in various scientific fields. Kuhn argues that science is a series of peaceful periods interrupted by intellectual intense revolutions. During the peaceful interludes scientist are guided by paradigms. Many theorists have opined on the subject and hence, paradigmatic pluralism has been a topic of discussion for decades now. A single paradigm cannot hold the planning field for long and paradigm shifts are inevitable. A series of paradigm shifts over time demonstrates the evolution in planning thought. The current status of planning can only be identified by assessing this evolution. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh has lived in various eras that shaped its present, which are the precolonial, the colonial, the post-independence, and the contemporary. With the needs of the city, planning thought has also evolved. This study’s focus is to study this process of evolution and identify the determinants to the current status of planning.