Tales of science and defiance: the case for co-learning and collaboration in bridging the science/emotion divide in water recycling debates

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Accepted Manuscript (AM)
Author(s)
Morgan, Edward Alexander
Grant-Smith, Deanna Chantal Cristina
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2015
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Show full item recordAbstract
Although science is generally assumed to be well-integrated into rational decision-making models, it can be used to destabilise consultative processes, particularly when emotions are involved. Water policies are often seen as debates over technical and engineering issues, but can be highly controversial. Recycled water proposals in particular can create highly emotive conflicts. Through a case study regarding the rejection of recycled water proposals in southeast Queensland, Australia we explore the influence of science and emotions in contemporary water planning. We highlight the dangers inherent in promoting technical water ...
View more >Although science is generally assumed to be well-integrated into rational decision-making models, it can be used to destabilise consultative processes, particularly when emotions are involved. Water policies are often seen as debates over technical and engineering issues, but can be highly controversial. Recycled water proposals in particular can create highly emotive conflicts. Through a case study regarding the rejection of recycled water proposals in southeast Queensland, Australia we explore the influence of science and emotions in contemporary water planning. We highlight the dangers inherent in promoting technical water planning issues at the expense of appropriate consideration of citizen concerns. Combining the science-policy interface and stakeholder engagement literatures, we advocate for collaborative decision-making processes which accommodate emotions and value judgements. A more collaborative stakeholder engagement model, founded on the principles of co-learning, has the potential to broaden the decision-making base and to promote better and more inclusive decision-making.
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View more >Although science is generally assumed to be well-integrated into rational decision-making models, it can be used to destabilise consultative processes, particularly when emotions are involved. Water policies are often seen as debates over technical and engineering issues, but can be highly controversial. Recycled water proposals in particular can create highly emotive conflicts. Through a case study regarding the rejection of recycled water proposals in southeast Queensland, Australia we explore the influence of science and emotions in contemporary water planning. We highlight the dangers inherent in promoting technical water planning issues at the expense of appropriate consideration of citizen concerns. Combining the science-policy interface and stakeholder engagement literatures, we advocate for collaborative decision-making processes which accommodate emotions and value judgements. A more collaborative stakeholder engagement model, founded on the principles of co-learning, has the potential to broaden the decision-making base and to promote better and more inclusive decision-making.
View less >
Journal Title
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
Copyright Statement
© 2014 Taylor & Francis (Routledge). This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Environmental Planning and Management on 16 Oct 2014, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09640568.2014.954691
Subject
Urban and regional planning not elsewhere classified