The Real Issues Concerning Lee's “Requiem”

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Abstract
Lee's “Requiem for Large Scale Models” had extensive adverse effects, partly on modeling but largely on planning. This commentary examines Lee's analysis, and finds that with respect to modeling it was shortsighted and ultimately mistaken. More important, under cover of a critique of models, Lee is found to have introduced a radical and perhaps destructive view of planning, one which is especially important and especially damaging at a time when the foundations of planning require careful examination and collaborative redefinition. Unfortunately, the planning profession may have taken this argument seriously on the basis of some ignorance of and distaste for computer methods, and thus used Lee's advice to shoot itself in the foot. It is time to put this behind us and find ways to strengthen both planning and modeling through collaboration in investigating the real issues.

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