Prescriptive analysis in planning

In this paper the subject of prescriptive analysis in spatial planning is dealt with. The point is made that all planners to some extent engage in prescriptive analysis. It is argued that this kind of analysis need not be equated with a technocratic exercise provided that the analyst recognises explicitly that public planning is influenced to a large extent by the political arena, with many uncertainties and with rapidly shifting priorities. An overview of various decision theoretical approaches is given, and a discussion presented of various prescriptive approaches in planning.