Ethics and values of Swedish planners: A replication and comparison with an American study

This article, based on a study of planners in two Swedish municipalities, looks at what planners think is ethical and why. It also examines attitudes of planners towards five substantive issues: the environment, mass transit, low income and minority groups, citizen participation and private development. The design of the study closely follows a similar study of American planners. The results of the two studies are compared. Swedish planners are not inclined favourably towards using political tactics. They are most committed to environment and mass transit and mildly negative about private development. The article also examines possible determinants of ethical views and attitudes. Finally, the article includes a discussion of some implications for planning, including increased pragmatism, flexibility and professional bias.