Participatory land planning in the region of Madrid (Spain) :an integrative perspective

Abstract

The landscape and institutional changes in the region of Madrid over the last three decades have shaped current decision-making process in the planning system. Madrid is characterised by the intensive use of land and a range of stakeholders related to the stratified administrative structure, which generates social & environmental conflicts. This research links different themes such as territorial planning and governance, using an integrative perspective to search for sustainable strategies. The appreciative systems approach, based on conceptual modelling, is used to understand the complex processes involved. The modelling process provides a valuable tool of simplifying the complexity. The development of the conceptual model is divided into two processes; the first model exercise is an abstraction of the decision-making process in land planning. Attributes of the planning and governance systems in Madrid are taken into account. Later, this conceptualization is complemented with quantitative data from the 1950's. This thesis harmonises the quantitative method with the discursive model to understand the complexity of the emergent conflicts in regional land planning and management. Notions such as collaborative planning, adaptive management and multilevel governance, which have recently become fashionable, provide the theoretical discussion. A stakeholder engagement exercise was carried out to encourage the participation of stakeholders in the policy-making process. This thesis suggests a set of future scenarios, alternative policy options, under a common framework of sustainability. The seven policy interventions are detailed in a booklet written in Spanish and English: "Tozvards sustainable land planning in the Autonomous Community of Madrid: Guidelines and Recommendations". A simulation model - decision support tool - was used to explore these scenarios and enhance stakeholder participation. This research was instrumental in helping stakeholders communities to adapt to emerging circumstances and changes in the regional planning process.