Stakeholders clash on urban planning visions. How can you align their divergent expectations?

Connecting is a key issue, listening and understanding each and every stakeholder and balancing the priorities to achieve the target

Stakeholder mapping depends on the level and nature of the plan. I am currently researching of citizen participation in master plan preparation. Identifying stakeholder groups for a city level plan preparation is an extensive exercise and should ensure it is inclusive of all marginalized and special groups. Such participation in my opinion should be at two levels and formats. The first a wider interaction with stakeholders to hear their concerns, opinions, even complaints which helps the Planning agency get a clear understanding of local needs and issues. The second, a more focused interaction seeking feedback on policies, planning options and scenarios. This allows the Planning agency to share their perspectives with stakeholders.

El mapa de actores es un punto clave en el inicio de un proceso participativo, y no solo se realiza al principio sino que se va ajustando y perfeccionando con el avance de dicho proceso, incluso con el aporte de los mismos actores. Cuando llevamos adelante el Plan de Desarrollo Urbano Ambiental para la Delegación Lago Moreno, en Bariloche, elaboramos varios mapas de actores y los validamos con referentes de la sociedad, incluso mapas de actores específicos, por temática. Al plantearnos la participación de lo que sería Reactivando Bariloche, un plan planteado durante la Pandemia Covid 19 en 2020, el perfil de los actores era muy específico, concreto para el objetivo a alcanzar.

Managing stakeholder conflicts in urban planning requires inclusive, participatory methods that align diverse perspectives. Engaging stakeholders throughout the process fosters legitimacy and ensures outcomes reflect varied interests. Key strategies include stakeholder analysis to prioritize influence, serial visioning to capture evolving spatial experiences, and visualization tools like 3D models for clearer understanding. Iterative design gathers feedback for continuous refinement, while community engagement cultivates ownership. The Delhi Haat project exemplifies success through collaboration, transforming neglected space into a thriving cultural hub, uniting stakeholders’ visions.

As others have noted, providing a safe environment in which stakeholders can share their views is critical. But importantly too this process can be enriched by providing participants with important factual information and challenges and change which the project must seek to address. I have found in discussing a vision, a discussion of what success might look like and how it might be measured can be an invaluable bridge between competing views.

Los talleres participativos son otro punto a planificar dentro del proceso. En mi experiencia fue útil evitar la participación "asambleísta" donde el resultado normalmente es una catarsis masiva de la que nunca se obtiene un compromiso sostenido en el tiempo sino un listado de cosas a hacer, que otros tienen que hacer, no los participantes. Los talleres tienen que tener un objetivo y una metodología, una coordinación y un marco. Pero... si el proceso es largo a veces es necesario hacer un "taller de catarsis" en determinados momentos, pero siempre sabiendo que sirve solo para eso, que es una parte del camino.

To align divergent stakeholder expectations in urban planning, begin with early, continuous engagement to ensure all voices are heard. Facilitate collaborative workshops and feedback sessions to identify shared values, such as sustainability and economic growth. Use data-driven decision-making to present clear outcomes and trade-offs, enabling informed choices. Build flexibility into the plan through phased development and adaptable zoning. Employ mediators for conflict resolution and create stakeholder compacts to outline responsibilities. Ensure transparency with open communication and public forums, fostering trust and collaboration. These steps help harmonize conflicting visions into a unified, adaptable urban plan.

Reunir a las partes explicar cuáles son los objetivos principales y secundarios. Seguimiento y control del cumplimiento de los objetivos para no tener desvíos.

Vision Alignment is essential once the team of stakeholders is aligned to the common goal and you have participatory development and better outcomes for the community in terms of good structure planning and placemaking of town centres.

Conflicts can be viewed as gaps in perspectives that, when addressed properly, can lead to new solutions. Collaborative role-playing exercises?allow stakeholders to experience challenges from multiple viewpoints. Deliberative democracy techniques?frame conflicts as opportunities for collective problem-solving.

In my experience, conflicts in urban planning are inevitable, but they don’t have to be roadblocks. Having a structured approach to conflict resolution, such as mediation or negotiation, allows stakeholders to air their concerns while keeping the conversation productive. Instead of letting disagreements fester, it’s helpful to address them head-on with techniques that encourage compromise and mutual understanding. Conflict can sometimes lead to better solutions, as long as it's managed in a way that keeps the focus on finding common ground rather than amplifying differences.

Les conflits ne naissent que par l’absence d’intérêt collectif, les aménageurs négocient souvent sur des belles maquettes. En maquette c’est comme en avion, tout est minuscule et souvent magnifique. Les images de synthèse font pousser des arbres de 80 ans sans même qu’on réalise que 80 années c’est beaucoup… il y a donc un effet déceptif énorme chez les futurs habitants ou les riverains anciens. La gestion des conflits est alors impossible. En amont, les doutes, les méfiances doivent être prises en compte et les réfractaires doivent être mis en valeur dans une réunion de présentation au riverains. Discuter c’est prévenir, savoir échanger et ne pas considérer que le ??sachant?? c’est l’urbaniste et l’ignorant qui serait le riverain ?

Every divergent views should be truthfully processed and convincing reasons why it's being rejected/accepted be stated. This will further build confidence in the stakeholders and all post planning conflicts will be nibbed in the bud.

Existen diversas metodologías para encarar el conflicto, en cuanto a enfrentamiento de opiniones. Nosotros utilizamos varias que se parecían más a un juego que a un combate de opiniones, y dieron muy buen resultado... aunque los participantes reclamaron el no haber tenido espacio para "opinar" (al menos en forma de monólogo expositivo como esperaban)... sin embargo sus opiniones quedaron claramente reflejadas en el "juego"

Calling all stakeholders to participate in a "Design Charrette" where every person or group express their views on paper, even if they don't know how to draw, as they can state their objectives by writing. This could take a day or more as the process could be a learning exercise for some. The idea behind it is to get everyone involved and they can reach consciences by voting.

Participatory design is a powerful tool for aligning divergent visions in urban planning, allowing all stakeholders to actively contribute. Integrating policies from the start also helps legitimize decisions and creates a clear framework for the project. Transparent communication, supported by cloud-based management systems, should happen as early as possible, ensuring that information is shared with everyone involved. Continuous engagement is key to maintaining alignment and ensuring that the project meets everyone’s expectations.

nvolving stakeholders in the design process allows them to contribute ideas and feedback, fostering a sense of ownership and increasing support for the final plan. This inclusive approach also uncovers #innovative #solutions that the planning team alone might overlook, ensuring the urban space meets the diverse needs of its users.

Eu defendo o Planeamento Participativo, quer ao nível do Priojeto Urbano (Urban Design) quer ao nível das Políticas Urbanas, pois permite o envolvimento de todas as partes interessadas (Stakeholder’s)

Stakeholders inclusion is very crucial to the success of any plan. It creates a sense of "it's our own" in the mind of the stakeholders. With the inclusion of the stakeholders in the planning process, there will be a level of guarantee that the project will be a success.

Policy integration is crucial for managing stakeholder expectations. Urban planning operates within the framework of existing policies and regulations. Ensuring that the urban plan aligns with these policies while advocating for policy changes that support the collective vision is key. This may involve negotiating with policymakers to adjust zoning laws or land-use regulations to accommodate the needs and expectations of all stakeholders.

Rather than trying to implement imported conceptual models or impose academic practices, it is crucial to know and value the actual management practices of the different governmental and social sectors affected by a project. Em vez de tentar implementar modelos conceituais importados ou impor práticas acadêmicas, é crucial conhecer e valorizar as práticas de gest?o reais dos diferentes setores governamentais e sociais afetados por um projeto

O acompanhamento de qualquer projeto é essencial para garantir seu sucesso e esse acompanhamento deve continuar, a fim de trazer as percep??es dos indivíduos afetados pelas interven??es como medida do êxito. Também é interessante manter esse relacionamento entre as partes porque algumas vezes o espa?o urbano planejado acaba ganhando uma nova identidade e desfecho, diferente do planejado, mas nem sempre isso precisa ser ruim. Pode acontecer do novo rumo ser até mesmo melhor do que o imaginado, mas só será possível identificar isso através desse relacionamento de longo prazo.