This article appraises the evolving nature of critical planning theory. It begins with an interrogation of critical planning theory derived from political economy. It then considers liberal pragmatic theory, followed by poststructuralist critical theory. This is followed by an examination of the contemporary range of critical critiques of the role of planning under neoliberalism. The article will conclude with a brief consideration as to why critical planning theory has continued for over four decades to provide an important ethical compass for the planning discipline.