Cooperative Discourse

Cooperative Discourse is a citizen participation method to determine and integrate legal aspects in the strategic planning of secure public spaces. Cooperative discourse is understood as a combination of elements of mediation, of the Delphi survey and of the citizen juries aimed at solving planning assignments. The outcome of cooperative discourse is a recommendation to the politicians (decision-makers).

Process description

The first step of this participatory method is to draw up a catalogue of criteria for assessing various planning options; here a mediator works with representatives of the interest groups affected. In step two experts analyse the likely effects of the various planning options in a Delphi survey. In the third and final step citizens selected at random evaluate the options in a citizen jury, with the aid of the catalogue of criteria and the experts’ analyses.

How does it support in planning of secure public spaces?

• Facilitation of addressing very complex decision processes;
• Handling of regional planning issues with existing latent or open conflicts;
• Determination of legal aspects in planning of public spaces.

Links and further reading

• Participation & sustainable development in Europe: URL: http://www.partizipation.at/coop-discourse.html [2012-08-20].