Min: Urban studies is more into theory - like understanding the complexity of the city. Urban or architectural planning is more practice oriented. The fundamental difference is:
Urban Studies is theory: How to understand the city,
Architectural planning: How to operate.
So, many urban studies scholars, especially urban geographers think architects do not have theory. That was the question [Gautam] Bhan was addressing yesterday - it's about theorising v/s. operationalizing. In either way, theory is related to operation. They can't be separated. But Chinese urban planning is far more practice-oriented.
