This article reviews the developments in the new institutionalism in social
science and their relation to communicative planning theory, with emphasis
on the relevance to the practical task of responding to demands for a more
place-conscious evolution in public policy. I trace the evolution of forms
of governance that are more responsive to che multiple claims and social w
orlds of civil society and include discussion of the social-constructionist
conception of institutions, the significance of actors and networks, the i
nterrelation between structure and agency, and the cultural dimensions of s
ocial net works. The implications for developing governance capability or i
nstitutional capacity are also explored. In reviewing communicative plannin
g theory, I discuss how Habermas's approach to communicative action may be
reworked or positioned in an institutionalist perspective. Finally, I explo
re how these developments can be used to develop understanding and strategi
es for evolving more inclusionary approaches to integrated, place-focused p
ublic policy.