What are effective strategies for resolving conflicts between developers and community members?

2 Choose an appropriate method

There are various methods of conflict resolution that urban planners can use, depending on the nature and complexity of the conflict, the availability of resources, and the desired outcomes. Some of the common methods are negotiation, mediation, facilitation, arbitration, and collaboration. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and requires different skills and roles from the urban planner. Urban planners should choose a method that is appropriate for the situation, meets the needs and expectations of the stakeholders, and fosters trust and transparency.

3 Involve the stakeholders

One of the key principles of conflict resolution is to involve the stakeholders in the process, from the early stages of planning to the final stages of implementation. This means inviting and encouraging the participation of developers and community members, as well as other relevant actors, such as local authorities, experts, or advocates. Involving the stakeholders helps to build rapport and legitimacy, elicit feedback and input, address concerns and grievances, and generate buy-in and ownership. Urban planners should use various tools and techniques to engage the stakeholders, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, or online platforms.

5 Manage emotions

Conflicts between developers and community members can often trigger strong emotions, such as anger, fear, frustration, or resentment. These emotions can interfere with the rationality and effectiveness of the conflict resolution process, and damage the relationships and trust between the parties. Therefore, urban planners need to manage their own emotions, as well as the emotions of the stakeholders, in a respectful and empathetic way. This means acknowledging and validating the emotions, expressing and receiving them appropriately, and preventing or resolving them from escalating or becoming destructive.

6 Evaluate and monitor

The final strategy for conflict resolution is to evaluate and monitor the process and the outcomes, and make adjustments as needed. This means collecting and analyzing data and feedback, measuring the progress and performance, and reporting the results and impacts. Evaluating and monitoring helps to ensure the accountability and quality of the conflict resolution process, and to identify and address any gaps, challenges, or opportunities. Urban planners should use various methods and tools to evaluate and monitor, such as indicators, benchmarks, surveys, or reviews.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?