The aim of this paper is to address how visual facilitation tools can overcome the prevailing planning challenge by widening the horizon of municipal planners regarding local specificities and stakes. This perspective is based on a recent research trend within actor network theory to address relational mapping to understand and address complex controversies prevailing in e.g., urban planning. With regards to Nature-based solutions, this provides a deeper understanding of how social and recreative factors can better become mobilized in otherwise technical landscape projects.
The paper will present results from an action-research project, anchored in the EU Life Coast 2 Coast Climate Challenge, where the Danish municipalities of North Djurs, South Djurs and Hedensted are developing Nature-based Solutions in low laying regions. Different prototypes of visual actor mapping tools are tested in ongoing development processes to invite new forms of stakeholders and their perspectives into the conceptualization of solutions. The visual maps have proven valuable for the collaborative process since the traditional technical conceptualizations are widened through representation of more social and recreational perspectives, reflecting local values and strategies. Through the iterative prototyping of the developed actor maps, the paper also addresses the challenge of how to develop planning tools that are operative for the planners as part of their professional practice.
Source: Quitzau, M. B. (University of Aalborg). 2021. Visual actor maps: Widening the technical horizon towards added values. Sustainable built environment and governance through actor-led processes, Reuse, Recycle & Recover. AIWW 2021