The potential of environmental mediation for planning in South Africa

Abstract

Planning theory and practice like other disciplines, have passed through several paradigmatic shifts this century; on ac­count of its close sociopolitical and cul­tural ties, changes in planning have been associated in the USA with social turbu­lence. Recent experiences there with the problems associated with planning in a pluralistic, divided public decision mak­ing arena hold potential lessons for South African planning as it moves into a similarly turbulent period. This article evaluates and explores the contribution which the styles of media­tion developed in environmental pro­blem resolution in the USA, can make under these circumstances. After review­ing the need in the Republic for a new approach which recognises value biases and conflicts of interest, to replace the outmoded approach currently in use, a model mediatory approach is defined and described before being tested against eight case studies including regional planning, public utilities, negotiated investment strategies, and ur­ban planning examples.