The Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide - Democrats Against UN ...

The Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide
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. The 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.
The 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.).
The 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. The second stage is
the organization of a public forum that brings together representatives from all of these groups. The primary purpose of the forum is
to reach a consensus on priorities and to develop political momentum for action.
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