Right-wing populism and urban planning

This article examines the effects of right-wing populism (RWP) on urban planning from the perspective of the concept of the “just city” with its three attendant criteria—democracy, diversity and equity—along with a commitment to combating climate change. First, we discuss the significance and impact of RWP for planning at the level of metro areas, its difference from left-wing populism, and its implications for democratic theory. Next, we provide some brief illustrative examples from the U.S. and Germany of how the rise of RWP affects the attainment of values of equity, democracy and diversity, and examine who is involved. We then consider some explanations put forward for the current upsurge in RWP and examine the extent to which they help to make sense of developments affecting planning at the local level. Finally, we examine the possibilities—and limitations—of engaging with the right-wing populist movement within different paradigms of planning theory.