Planning for conviviality: In search of a narrative for planning beyond growth

Emerging degrowth and post-growth planning narratives, while intellectually appealing, struggle to mobilize a broad constituency and impact planning practice. Narratives are needed that, while rooted in recognizing the limits to growth, can offer hope to a broad audience and generate practical options for planners. The central contention of this article is that Ivan Illich's 1973 book, Tools for Conviviality , can provide inspiration for such a narrative. At the heart of Illich’s argument is the call to replace the dominant logic of ‘industrial productivity’ with an alternative logic of ‘conviviality’. The article examines and articulates how both Illich’s critique of industrial productivity and his pursuit of conviviality can inform a mobilizing narrative for planning beyond growth.