Consensus processes in land use planning in British Columbia: the nature of success
Dates
Year
2002
Citation
Jackson, L. S., 2002, Consensus processes in land use planning in British Columbia: the nature of success: Progress in Planning, v. 57, no. 1, p. 1-90.
Summary
The general goal of this research was to address the broad question, does consensus work in resource management decision-making? Its purpose was to identify success factors for employing the consensus decision-making model specifically in land use planning; to examine the models incepted by the government of British Columbia during the period 1992–1995; and to investigate the application and effectiveness of the models as actually employed in integrated resource planning in British Columbia. The specific objective was to develop a general diagnostic framework for evaluation, based on indicators and success factors derived from a review of pertinent literature; from interviews with stakeholder participants in these processes; through [...]
Summary
The general goal of this research was to address the broad question, does consensus work in resource management decision-making? Its purpose was to identify success factors for employing the consensus decision-making model specifically in land use planning; to examine the models incepted by the government of British Columbia during the period 1992–1995; and to investigate the application and effectiveness of the models as actually employed in integrated resource planning in British Columbia. The specific objective was to develop a general diagnostic framework for evaluation, based on indicators and success factors derived from a review of pertinent literature; from interviews with stakeholder participants in these processes; through review of government documentation, and through interviews with government officials who design and manage those processes. Success factors to be tested and explored were compiled from the literature, through a pilot study, government reports, and previous evaluations, such as the CORE Vancouver Island survey. In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 managers and participants of consensus processes at all three levels, in eight planning regions of the province. As interviews of participants proceeded, any new factors which emerged were also added to the list below. Integrity of process Commitment of participants Openness Explicit objectives Early stakeholder identification Strategic communication Facilitator Solid information Clear policy guidelines Prescreening participants Training Neutral chair/process mgr. Interpersonal dynamic Clear operating principles Relationships Representative of constituency Funding Continuity of participants Local participants Meeting facility Plain language Size of group Budget, support of ministry Respondents rated, defined and discussed these factors, and answered general questions regarding success of consensus processes. From qualitative and quantitative analysis, using the spreadsheet program Excel, the following indicators (the top quartile) were determined to be ‘critical’ to the success of a consensus planning process: Integrity; Solid Information; Facilitator; Commitment of Participants; Explicit Objectives; Training; Strategic Communication; and Government Support. Based on an analysis of the definitions and comments of participants, an evaluation framework was developed for consensus processes in land use planning. This includes diagnostic questions, followed by further considerations and recommendations for some critical indicators.
