Negotiating land and water use: participatory planning of resource management (NELAWU)

Land and Water Division Working Paper 6 explains the rationale for the four key principles of participatory planning of natural resource management through the Participatory and Negotiated Territorial Development (PNTD) approach: (1) integrated approach; (2) decentralization; (3) participation; (4) negotiation. 1) Need for integration The need for an integrated approach has been given new impetus by the complexity of new methods which has created a growing gap between academic outputs and development policy, re-orienting research away from the needs and expectations of the populations that it is supposed to help. In order to overcome potential contradictions between science and development it is necessary to understand the variety of different dynamics within and between evolving rural systems. This was aimed for in holistic analyses that explore the ways in which systems interact, influence and are influenced by the other systems with which they overlap, or are a part of, such as farming systems research. These approaches were popular during the 1980s , but somehow got out of fashion. Nevertheless, from a methodological point of view, the greater advantage of these approaches is to be close to the real life of local populations. 2) Need for decentralization The recognition of the importance of local issues and to work with local populations implies the need for a change of scale, from the global level to a system composed of specific zones, based on smaller geographical entities with common characteristics, that can be practical for land use planning. Promoting decentralization policies is therefore one of the most effective ways to support rural development. In its most basic form, decentralization is a transfer of responsibilities and power from central to regional and/or local bodies and allows local actors to actively contribute to development policy. 3) Need for participation Allowing local populations to be included in all stages of the development process will prevent “experts” from applying outside visions and technical choices concerning natural resource management without any prior consultation. If participation is to work in practice, scientific and technical information must first be made accessible to local resource users. Moreover, before populations can assume a leading role in decision making, they must be provided with training that reinforces their organization and helps them to recognize themselves as members of a community of interests. 4) Need for negotiation Territorial development requires a negotiation process to reduce power imbalances related to unequal access and control over resources, information, and capacities. It can stimulate and/or initiate long-term evolutions and guarantee their assimilation. Finally, it results in socially legitimate development agreements that allow all stakeholders to freely commit to every step of the development process.