Planning matters. Law matters. Property matters. These three simple messages inspire the growing PLPR community to examine the difficult relationship between public and private interests in the use of land.

In the field of planning, many traditional tools (such as zoning or expropriation) have been replaced by more flexible instruments: planning agreements, public-private-partnerships, tradable development rights. How can these new instruments, under the rule of law, be employed for more efficient and fair planning? How might the more traditional tools be adapted to better respond to current trends and challenges? Also, the social construction of land makes it difficult to appreciate the values of land: One person's new residential subdivision is another person's cultural heritage. One person's backyard is another person's flood retention area. Planning goals as well as individual rights have to be considered in resolving conflicting social constructions. Finally, PLPR is committed to re-examining the task of land reform. How can we make better use of land through social and environmental justice?