Urban planning as a game of power: The case of New South Wales (NSW), Australia

• Published in: Habitat international 2023-03, Vol.133, p.102751, Article 102751
• Main Authors: Farid Uddin, Khandakar, Piracha, Awais
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Government; NSW; Power; State; Sydney; Urban planning
• ISSN: 0197-3975; 1873-5428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2023.102751

Power and domination have a considerable presence everywhere in society. Power-dynamic forces play a significant role in institutional practices, agenda-setting, decision-making and ensuring particular groups' interests. Power is also substantially evident in urban planning. Power in urban planning is exerted by various actors. Power is an opportunity for affluent residents to confront planning practices. This research explores powerful actors in urban planning through an empirical study of urban planning in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. This empirical study analyses contemporary political, statutory and socio-economic influential powers in NSW's urban planning by applying Foucault's power theory. It contributes to knowledge and practice in urban studies by unveiling how political, institutional and socio-economic power influences urban planning in NSW. This research illustrates that state urban planning machinery has ultimate authoritative power in urban planning and advances the interests and aspirations of the socio-economic and political power elites. •Power generates strength as well as dominance in the city and community.•Analysing urban planning through the lens of power is crucial.•Political and statutory powers are noticeable in NSW, Australia's urban planning.•Political elites also benefit their socio-economic and organisational elites.•Improved governance and strong-participatory planning require counteracting powers.