Theology in Planning: an Integrated theological framework for the planning process.
This project seeks to integrate my professional experience as an environmental planner with an understanding that God is the creator of the places that planning endeavours to transform. Planning for the transformation of places is a collaborative process that requires vision, clear objectives and quantifiable outcomes. Most contemporary planning is undertaken within a framework that focuses on economic outcomes with some consideration for ecological and social issues. This is a very narrow perspective. One of the consequences is broad community concern about the direction of change within cities and regions, and the quality of the transformed places. The planning process is justifiably criticized. In Western societies there is considerable debate about the potential for improved planning processes.So far the project has identified the characteristics of places as depicted in the Christian biblical texts. These are not the characteristics of a utopia, or 'heaven,' but practical, realistic and achievable characteristics. They will be combined into a framework that should be utilized by any church organization undertaking planning projects, as well as providing a framework for planning within democratic countries.
The School of Theology at Charles Sturt is the principal institution for Christian research and higher degrees in New South Wales. After completing a Graduate Diploma in Theology I was encouraged to pursue my research towards a higher degree.
Bachelor of Town Planning (Honours); Master of Arts (Historical Archaeology); Graduate Diploma in Theology; Registered Planner; Fellow Planning Institute of Australia; International member of Conseil international des monuments et des sites.