
Dr Neil Harris
Senior Lecturer in Statutory Planning
School of Geography and Planning
- harrisnr@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 6222
- Room 2.90, Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WA
- Media commentator
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
My research explores the policies and instruments that planners use. I am especially interested in the formal and statutory aspects of planning systems.
I teach on several modules on our professionally-accredited planning programmes.
I am a Chartered Town Planner and an active member of The Royal Town Planning Institute.
Biography
I started my academic career at Cardiff University with my thesis research on critical planning theory and planners' management of infornation within planning processes. This was inspired by North American planning academic's writing on 'what planners do'. I secured my first full-time lecturer role at Cardiff University in 1999. I have continued to research and teach in the School. My research continues to focus on the everyday tools and practices of professional planners.
I try in all of my work to link academic ideas with practical and professional concerns. I have worked closely with Welsh Government and the Welsh Parliament on a series of projects linked to planning reform. This includes giving evidence to and supporting the work of the Senedd's Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee.
My formal academic qualifications include:
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wales (2002)
- Diploma in Social Science Research Methods, Cardiff University (1997)
- Diploma in Town Planning awarded with Distinction, Cardiff University (1996)
- BSc City and Regional Planning awarded with First Class Honours, Cardiff University (1994)
Honours and awards
I was awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute's Outstanding Service Award in 2018.
Professional memberships
I am a Chartered Town Planner and an active member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Academic positions
- Associate Dean - Assessment and Feedback, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Cardiff University (2015-2020)
- Senior Lecturer, School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, (2007-present)
- Lecturer, School of City and Regional Planning, Cardiff University, (1999 - 2007)
Committees and reviewing
I regularly act as a reviewer for a series of academic journals in planning, including Town Planning Review and Planning Theory and Practice.
I have been a member of the judging panel in the Royal Town Planning Institute's Research Excellence Awards (2019 and 2020).
Publications
2021
- Harris, N. 2021. 'The exception to the rule’: exploring the exception and the exceptional in planning policy. Town Planning Review 92(5), pp. 517-536. (10.3828/tpr.2021.17)
2020
- MacPherson, I. et al. 2020. RTPI measuring what matters: planning outcomes research handbook.
- MacPherson, I. et al. 2020. Report 1: Measuring what matters: planning outcomes toolkit for Wales. London, England: Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/research/2020/november/measuring-what-matters-planning-outcomes-research/
2019
- Harris, N. 2019. Exceptional spaces for sustainable living: the regulation of One Planet Developments in the open countryside.. Planning Theory and Practice 20(1), pp. 11-36. (10.1080/14649357.2018.1562562)
- Webb, B., Harris, N. and Smith, R. 2019. Rural housing delivery in Wales: How effective is rural exception site policy?. Technical Report.
2018
- Sartorio, F. S., Harris, N. and Thomas, H. 2018. Interpreting planners' talk about change: An exploratory study.. Planning Theory 17(4), pp. 605-627. (10.1177/1473095217742183)
- Harris, N., Webb, B. and Smith, R. 2018. The changing role of household projections: exploring policy conflict and ambiguity in planning for housing. Town Planning Review 89(4), pp. 403-424. (10.3828/tpr.2018.24)
2017
- Harris, N. 2017. Enforcing planning regulations in areas of high immigration: a case study of London. Town Planning Review 88(5), pp. 499-529. (10.3828/tpr.2017.32)
- Webb, B., Harris, N., Cooper, C. and Healy, A. 2017. Identification of regional areas for the National Development Framework. Project Report. Welsh Government.
- Harris, N. 2017. Reinventing a small, worldly city - the cultural and social transformation of Cardiff [Book Review]. Planning Perspectives 32(4), pp. 655-656. (10.1080/02665433.2017.1345068)
2016
- Harris, N. R., Webb, B. and Smith, R. S. G. 2016. The process for developing robust housing evidence for local development plans. Project Report. [Online]. Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: http://www.rtpi.org.uk/media/1653691/rtpi_research_briefing_household_projections_in_wales_15_january_2016.pdf
2015
- Harris, N. 2015. The use of surveillance technologies in planning enforcement. Planning Practice and Research 30(5), pp. 528-547. (10.1080/02697459.2015.1076133)
- Harris, N. R., Biddulph, M. J., Thomas, A. H., Sartorio, F. and Frank, A. I. 2015. Horizon scanning: future trends and the skills needed to deliver the planning system in Wales. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
2014
- Biddulph, M. J., Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2014. DAS ist not always so good. Town & Country Planning 2014(2), pp. 84-84.
- Biddulph, M. J., Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2014. Review of design and access statements in Wales. Project Report. [Online]. Welsh Government. Available at: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/research/131129das-research-final-report-en.pdf
- , . Silva, E. A. et al. eds. 2014. The Routledge handbook of planning research methods. New York, NY: Routledge.
- Silva, E. A., Healey, P., Harris, N. R. and Van den Broek, P. 2014. The craft of 'doing research' in spatial and regional planning. In: The Routledge Handbook of Planning Reserch Methods. New York, NY: Routledge, pp. xxiv-xlii.
- Harris, N. R. 2014. 'Make no little plans': planning in Wales 1945-1996. Cynllunio 2014(Summer), pp. 8-10.
- Harris, N. R. 2014. Shifting between academia and practice: reflections on doing planning research in a university environment. In: de Silva, d. S. E. et al. eds. The Routledge Handbook of Planning Research. Routledge, pp. 12-17.
2013
- Harris, N. R. 2013. Surveillance, social control and planning: citizen engagement in the detection and investigation of breaches of planning control. Town Planning Review 84(2), pp. 171-196. (10.3828/tpr.2013.11)
2012
- Harris, N. R., Thomas, A. H. and Sartorio, F. 2012. A new approach to managing development: towards a Welsh Planning Act. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff: Crown Copyright. Available at: http://gov.wales/topics/planning/planningresearch/publishedresearch/anewapproach/?lang=en
2011
- Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2011. Clients, customers and consumers: a framework for exploring the user-experience of the planning service. Planning Theory & Practice 12(2), pp. 249-268. (10.1080/14649357.2011.580157)
- Harris, N. R. 2011. Discipline, surveillance, control: a foucaultian perspective on the enforcement of planning regulations. Planning Theory & Practice 12(1), pp. 57-76. (10.1080/14649357.2011.545631)
2010
- Harris, N. R. 2010. Discretion and expediency in the enforcement of planning controls. Town Planning Review 81(6), pp. 675-700. (10.3828/tpr.2010.26)
- Harris, N. R. 2010. European spatial research and planning [Book Review]. International Planning Studies 15(1), pp. 73-75. (10.1080/13563471003736985)
2009
- Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2009. Making Wales: spatial strategy making in a devolved context. In: Davoudi, S. and Strange, I. eds. Conceptions of Space and Place in Strategic Spatial Planning. RTPI Library Series Vol. 17. London: Routledge, pp. 43-69.
- Harris, N. R., Thomas, A. H. and Scarfi, A. 2009. Small businesses and the planning system in Wales. Report to the Federation of Small Businesses. Stage 2: Review of national and local planning policies. Project Report. Cardiff: Federation of Small Businesses.
2008
- Harris, N. R., Thomas, A. H. and Scarfi, A. 2008. Small businesses and.the planning system in Wales. Report to the Federation of Small Businesses. Stage 1: small businesses’ costs and experiences of applying forplanning permissionand related consents.. Cardiff: Federation of Small Businesses. Available at: http://www.fsb.org.uk/policy/rpu/wales/images/fsb%20planning%20english.pdf
2006
- Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. 2006. Regional development and spatial planning in an enlarged European Union. Urban and Regional Planning and Development Series. Aldershot: Ashgate.
- Harris, N. R. and Hooper, A. J. 2006. Redefining 'the space that is Wales': place, planning and the Wales spatial plan. In: Tewdwr-Jones, M. and Allmendinger, P. eds. Territory, Identity and Spatial Planning: Spatial governance in a Fragmented Nation. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 139-152.
- Harris, N. R. 2006. Increasing and spreading prosperity: regional development, spatial planning and the enduring 'prosperity gap' in Wales. In: Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. eds. Regional Development and Spatial Planning in an Enlarged European Union. Urban and Regional Planning and Development Series Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 87-106.
- Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. 2006. Introduction: regional development and spatial planning in an enlarged European Union. In: Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. eds. Regional Development and Spatial Planning in an Enlarged European Union. Urban and Regional Planning and Development Series Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 3-15.
- Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. 2006. Reviewing experience of regional development and spatial planning in Europe. In: Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. eds. Regional Development and Spatial Planning in an Enlarged European Union. Urban and Regional Planning and Development Series Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 265-275.
2005
- Adams, N. and Harris, N. R. 2005. Best Practice Guidelines for Regional Development Strategies. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.espon-interstrat.eu/library_details.php?idnews=46&powrot=library_new.php
2004
- Harris, N. R. and Hooper, A. J. 2004. Rediscovering the "Spatial" in public policy and planning; an examination of the spatial content of sectoral policy documents. Planning Theory & Practice 5(2), pp. 147-169. (10.1080/14649350410001691736)
- Booth, C., Batty, E., Gilroy, R., Dargan, L., Thomas, H., Harris, N. R. and Imrie, R. 2004. Planning and Diversity: Research into Policies and Procedures. Project Report. [Online]. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/148175.pdf
- Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2004. Planning for a diverse society? A review of the UK Governments Planning Policy Guidance. Town Planning Review 75(4), pp. 473-500.
- Harris, N. R. 2004. Experiential learning in built environment education [Editorial]. Cebe Transactions 1(1), pp. 3-7.
2002
- Harris, N. R., Bishop, K. D. and Hooper, A. J. 2002. Constructing the practice of "Spatial Planning": a national spatial planning framework for Wales. Environment and Planning C Government and Policy 20(4), pp. 555-572. (10.1068/c17m)
2001
- Harris, N. R. 2001. Planning Policy, Policy Guidance, and Technical Advice: a review and analysis of the Technical Advice Notes (Wales) Series. Town Planning Review 72(4), pp. 393-422.
- Harris, N. R. 2001. Collaborative planning: from theoretical foundations to practice forms. In: Allmendinger, P. and Tewdwr-Jones, M. eds. Planning Futures: New Directions in Planning Theory. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 21-43.
2000
- Harris, N. R. 2000. Practice through a lens: a metaphor for planning theory. Journal of Planning Education and Research 19(3), pp. 309-315. (10.1177/0739456X0001900310)
- Crow, S. and Harris, N. R. 2000. Outline planning applications and permissions: the refurbishment of time-worn practice?. Journal of Planning and Environment Law(3), pp. 246-259.
- Crow, S., Harris, N. R., Thomas, H. and Yewlett, C. 2000. Fitness for Purpose: The Quality in Development Plans: A Guide to Good Practice. Project Report. [Online]. London: Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: https://secure.rtpi.org.uk/download/647/Fitness-for-Purpose.pdf
1999
- Harris, N. R. 1999. 'Working Away From Home': Philosophical Understanding in the Development of Planning Theory. Journal of Planning Education and Research 19(1), pp. 93-97. (10.1177/0739456X9901900109)
Teaching
I teach on a series of undergraduate modules at each stage of our accredited planning courses.
I am module leader for modules on property development and regeneration, planning law and practice, and planning theory. I also contribute to introductory modules on urban planning.
I currently act or have previously acted as external examiner on planning courses at Queen's University Belfast, University of Glasgow, University of West of England, Liverpool University, and London South Bank University.
My research interests focus on planning theory and professional planning practice. I enjoy projects that have both a theoretical and practical element.
My current and recent research falls into three main areas:
- Enforcement of planning regulations - I work on both theoretical and practical aspects of planning enforcement and how planners react 'when the rules are broken'. I have principally written on planning enforcement using a Foucauldian lens, addressing issues of surveillance and compliance.
- Exceptions to planning rules - I am examining how planners design and interpret rules, including when these rules allow for exceptions to be made. I have explored this in relation to One Planet Development in Wales. I have also started to devise a framework for systematically examining rules in planning policy. I am designing a project looking at other exceptions to policy rules that restrict new housing in the countryside in the United Kingdom, including buildings of exceptional architectural quality.
- Planning reforms in Wales - I also engage in research and consultancy work, including with partner organisations, focused on changes to the planning system in Wales. This includes national spatial planning frameworks, affordable housing, delivery of housing land, and measuring the outcomes of planning.
Supervision
I am especially interested in supervising PhD research in the following areas:
- planning regulation and control
- planning enforcement
- planning theory
- spatial planning strategies
I am currently supervising PhD research on the development of 'white land' in Saudi Arabia (Mohammed Alsulaiman), and the evolution of legislation on the consenting of nationally-significant infrastructure (Richard Rees).
I have examined PhD theses at University of Sheffield, Ulster University, and KU Leuven.
Past projects
I have supervised the following researchers through to successful defence of their thesis:
- Rebecca Windemer (2019) - Managing (im)permanence: end-of-life challenges for the wind and solar energy sectors - co-supervised with Richard Cowell
- Bob Croydon (2017) - Patronage, power and probity: accountability and aspiration in publicly-funded development - co-supervised with Huw Thomas
- Ioanna Katapidi (2015) - Perceiving heritage in Greek traditional settlements - co-supervised with Francesca Sartorio
- Gareth Abrahams (2015) - Deleuze's philosophy and its usefulness to planning: a case study of BRE assessments - co-supervised with Richard Cowell
- Ulrich Doenitz (2011) - Young people and urban planning - co-supervised with Huw Thomas
- An-Ting Cheng (2009) - Policy co-ordination and land-use planning - co-supervised with Huw Thomas