Planning cultures in Italy – reformism, laissez-faire and contemporary trends

From the editors’ introduction:
“Part 4 presents some prominent features from Southern Europe. By showing features of the planning cultures in Italy Luciano Vettoretto outlines some interrelations between ideologies and planning practices. In his contribution he describes recent changes in Italian planning culture, especially the impact of the European Union’s key principles on the technical and administrative culture of local authorities that have overcome the sectoral and hierarchical orientation of public policies and spatial planning. Furthermore, he underlines the importance of the traditions and principles of ‘reformism’, ‘patronage’ (clientelism), and ‘familism’ for the understanding of planning practices in Italy”.