What's in a nation? Constructing ethnicity in the British planning system

Targeted consultation of ethnic minority groups has been promoted as a tool to address systemic racial disadvantage within society. Within planning there has been an emphasis upon identifying ethnic minority communities in the context of considering differing policy needs within the development planning process. The article draws upon research investigating how the ideology of the nation constructs ethnicity which acts to shape consultation practices within local planning authorities in England. The development of such consultation within urban planning, it is argued, has reinforced false understandings of ethnicity. Despite good intentions in some respects, planning authorities continue to address the needs and interests of ethnic minority people in a superficial manner. The article suggests that there is a need to give greater attention to how the ideology of the nation limits the actions of planners. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.