Codifying Complexity: The Rolling-out of Artificial Intelligence and the Governance of Discretionary Planning

AI is promoted by the UK government and advocates as a solution for the tensions inherent within discretionary planning systems. Drawing on 35 interviews with built environment professionals across England, this paper critically examines the rolling out of AI. We show that, despite strong policy narratives, it has yet to resolve the dilemmas, ambiguities, and value laden judgements that shape planning work. Instead, its deployment often reinforces existing challenges. The paper concludes by exploring a central dilemma for future reform: whether AI should be adapted to support discretionary planning processes, or whether planning itself should be reshaped to better accommodate AI’s codifying tendencies.

Mike Raco is Professor of Urban Governance and Development in the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London and the current Head of School. He has worked extensively on approaches to urban regeneration in Global Cities. He has also contributed to debates over the governance of mega-events and contract-led forms of project delivery. His most recent book is entitled London (with Frances Brill) and is part of a Megacities series published by Edinburgh University Press.

Contact

Jonathan Metzger, Professor of Urban and Regional Studies, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, KTH
​​​​​​​jmetzger@kth.se ​​​​​​​