Social Justice and planning for the public interest

Accurate and effective consideration of the public interest is essential if we are to conserve, create or maintain tolerable and responsive living environments in mixed economy societies. The social benefits of development should not be taken for granted nor their evaluation consigned entirely to politicians. Actions which appear entirely beneficial to one group, such as the construction of a new urban freeway, may be bitterly resented by others who see themselves as being more directly affected. Although the resolution of such conflicts must ultimately be a political matter, even the most inspired or conscientious of politicians must rely in part on the selection and analysis of facts and values considered relevant by advisors and professional officers. It follows that town planners, and others working in public policy, should give serious thought to the evaluation of the competing concerns that go to make up the public interest in planning decisions.