Ashford’s Integrated Alternatives

Effective decision-making: Toward adaptive and

adapted planning

Melanie Muro, Paul Jeffrey & Brian McIntosh

Cranfield Water Science Institute

Ashford‘s growth programme –A learning opportunity

• Planning key mechanism for delivering sustainable development

• No pre-defined single model of and pathway to sustainability

What can be done in planning practice to help promote the uptake of sustainability principles in local development plans and encourage innovative technologies and practices?

Factors shaping planning

* Based on document analysis and interviews

Regulatory framework – One size fits all?

• National targets / frameworks might result in inappropriate policies & outcomes

• Regulations fail to provide incentives to innovative solutions

Institutional arrangements – Closing the implementation gap?

• Stakeholder preferences shape policy framing

• Burden to demonstrate effectiveness, costs & benefits of new solutions on local authorities

Knowledge and learning – Room for trial and error?

• Evolving & emerging policy fields test planners’ expertise

Effective decision-making –Adaptive & adapted planning

1. Flexible regulatory framework– Allow room for manoeuvre for

developing local solutions– Regulations need to keep up

with innovation & knowledge

Effective decision-making – Adaptive & adapted planning

2. Continuous process of plan evaluation & updating

– Allow space & time for reflection

– Accept failure as a learning opportunity

Effective decision-making – Adaptive & adapted planning

3. Opportunities for knowledge exchange

– Capacity-building within organisations

– Include researchers & delivery partners in experiments/pilots (KTP)

– ‘Bridging organisations’ to collate & disseminate experiences