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

• Published in: Environmental impact assessment review Vol. 30; no. 5; pp. 328 - 337
• Main Authors: Peltonen, Lasse, Sairinen, Rauno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2010
• Subjects: Assessments; Citizen participation; Conflict resolution; CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; DECISION MAKING; DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; DOCUMENT TYPES; ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; ENERGY POLICY; ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS; Environmental impact assessments; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS; ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; EUROPE; FINLAND; GOVERNMENT POLICIES; Institutionalization; Knowledge; LAND USE; Land use conflict; Linkages; MANAGEMENT; Mediation; PLANNING; PUBLIC OPINION; Public participation; RESOURCE MANAGEMENT; SCANDINAVIA; Social conflicts; SOCIAL IMPACT; Social impact assessment; Urban planning; WESTERN EUROPE; Finland; Social impact assessment; Urban planning; Mediation; Public participation; Finland; Land use conflict
• ISSN: 0195-9255; 1873-6432
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eiar.2010.04.006

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 Jyväskylä 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.