<strong>The</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Agenda</strong> <strong>21</strong> <strong>Planning</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> • land use; • urban transportation; • urban energy use; FIGURE 13 RAPID URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Outline for an Environmental Data Questionnaire • air pollution; • noise pollution; • water resources, water supply, and sewerage/sanitation; and • solid and hazardous waste Data for this questionnaire are to be collected at three spatial levels: the city proper, the metropolitan area, and the urban http://www.idrc.ca/openebooks/448-2/ (64 of 180)18/10/2010 12:47:23 AM
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Agenda</strong> <strong>21</strong> <strong>Planning</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> conglomeration. Collection and collation of data is expected to be performed by a local expert who is familiar with sources and institutions. Urban Environmental Profile Using data collected for the questionnaire, the hired expert or team prepares an urban environmental profile to “analyze the nature, trends, and factors that influence environmental quality” in the city. <strong>The</strong> environmental profile provides background information on the historical, geographical, and socioeconomic aspects of urban development. An environmental status section summarizes available information on the quality of the various environmental media (air, water, land, etc.) and on key natural hazards, such as erosion, flooding, etc. A third section aims to analyze “how development-oriented activities and services in the public, private, and informal sectors influence environmental quality and how environmental factors constrain or promote development.” No specific methodology is provided for identifying or determining these interactions. Finally, a fourth section focuses on the key institutional actors engaged in environmental management, the initiatives they have underway, and the constraints they face in improving environmental conditions. In addition to data from the questionnaire, the researchers or staff who prepare the profile are expected to review existing reports and hold interviews with key actors and experts. A variety of analytical tools are employed to interpret information for the environmental profiles, including spatial analysis, review of survey data, institutional analysis, map overlay analysis, preparation of energy balances, trend analysis, and long-run marginal cost pricing. Public Consultation Following the completion of the environmental profile, a series of public consultations are organized to “allow for public dialogue on environmental priorities and options as well as to partially validate the results of the questionnaire and profile through public discussion.” Consultations take the form of interviews with institutional leaders, small group meetings, and large, open public forums. One of the primary objectives of the consultations is to identify priority environmental issues that will be the further focus of planning. <strong>The</strong> Urban Management Programme defines key stakeholders for participation in consultations as: • parties whose interests are affected by environmental degradation (NGOs, community leaders, municipal officials); • parties who possess information and expertise that can be used in addressing environmental problems (academics, research institutes, etc.); and • parties who control the relevant instruments for environmental management, and who can solve problems through their institutions (local, regional, and national government officials, private sector representatives, community organizations, etc.). <strong>The</strong> recommended consultation process involves: • informing the stakeholders about the process; • giving them a defined role; • providing a sense of common ownership; and • offering support for their participation. Once stakeholders are identified and informed, a two-stage process of consultation is implemented. First, a variety of small group meetings, focus groups, small round table discussions, and interviews are held with the different stakeholders. <strong>The</strong> second stage is the organization of a public forum that brings together representatives from all of these groups. <strong>The</strong> primary purpose of the forum is to reach a consensus on priorities and to develop political momentum for action. http://www.idrc.ca/openebooks/448-2/ (65 of 180)18/10/2010 12:47:23 AM
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