Integrating impact assessment and conflict management in urban planning: Experiences from Finland

Journal Article · Wed Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Environmental Impact Assessment Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2010.04.006· OSTI ID:21499129

Peltonen, Lasse ^[1]; Sairinen, Rauno ^[2]

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1. Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, School of Science and Technology, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12200, 00076 AALTO (Finland)
2. Centre of Competence for Forest, Environment and Society, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, 80101 Joensuu (Finland)

The article examines the interlinkages between recent developments in conflict management and impact assessment procedures in the context of urban planning in Finland. It sets out by introducing the fields of impact assessment and conflict mediation. It then proceeds to discuss the development of impact assessment practices and the status of conflict mediation in Finnish land use planning. The case of Korteniitty infill development plan in Jyvaeskylae is used to demonstrate how the Finnish planning system operates in conflict situations - and how social impact assessment can contribute to managing planning conflicts. The authors ask how the processes of impact assessment contribute to conflict management. Based on the Finnish experience, it is argued that social impact assessment of land use plans can contribute to conflict management, especially in the absence of institutionalised conflict mediation processes. In addition, SIA may acquire features of conflict mediation, depending on extent and intensity of stakeholder participation in the process, and the quality of linkages it between knowledge production and decision-making. Simultaneously, conflict mediation practices and theoretical insights can inform the application of SIA to help it address land use conflicts more consciously.

• OSTI ID: 21499129
• Journal Information: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol. 30, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.eiar.2010.04.006; PII: S0195-9255(10)00067-3; Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0195-9255
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
DECISION MAKING
ENERGY POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FINLAND
LAND USE
PLANNING
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
SOCIAL IMPACT
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
EUROPE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
MANAGEMENT
PUBLIC OPINION
SCANDINAVIA
WESTERN EUROPE