Role 3: Moderator

Question 1

What is the mindset of the moderator?

Answer 1

• Communicative reality: power of the best argument

- Solving wicked problems in fragmented democratic societies

Question 2

What do you need for communicative action?

Answer 2

• it must be true: ability to agree
• it must be truthful: sincerity
• it must be right: conform to reality
• there must be a mutual understanding: underlying values and rules, peaceful setting
• basic agreements about underlying values

Question 3

When are collaborative processes rational?

Answer 3

• participants represent a variety of rules
• focus on problem shared by all
• free articulation of interests
• group meets for authentic dialogue (face-to-face)
• everyone in the group is equally empowered to speak
• expert and community knowledge is relevant
• everything is said, no hidden strategy and tactics
• group working towards satisfying significant concerns (no majority rule, consensus)

Question 4

What are the tools and products of the moderator?

Answer 4

• provide information and scientific evidence (ex. expert knowledge, spatial analysis, impact assessments, surveys, questionnaires)
• guide and manage the proces (ex. roundtables, discussion formats, participatory planning, role plays)

Question 5

What is the ideal model of the planning proces according to Healey?

Answer 5

• initiating a planning process with access for a diversity of stakeholders and defining the arena (what is the space? could be online)
• ensuring conditions for fair discourse: everyone is equal
• translating of consensus to planning strategies: the consensus is often broader then the strategy
• formal institutional arrangements to support the proces and its results

Question 6

What are the critiques on the planner as moderator?

Answer 6

• vague
• expensive
• time consuming
• impractical
• leads to the smallest possible consensus: could be that nothing really happens
• Also for large-scale changes and societal transformations (ex. energy transition, circular economy)? Needs much investment

BUT: implementation is faster and easier because of consensus

Question 7

What are the goals of the moderator?

Answer 7

Reach:

• understanding: agreement on the truth and validity of a claim
• consent: inter-subjective recognition of this claim
• argumentation: addressing controversial claims and trying to approve or criticise with arguments
• consensus: mutual agreement

Question 8

What are wicked problems?

Answer 8

Agreement about the problem itself is needed, not only about the solution.

• defining the problem is part of the solution
• continuous search for better solutions
• planning is ‘one-shot actions’ in real life contexts
• number of relations, problem formulations and solutions is endless

Question 9

What are different methods to reach consensus?

Answer 9

• Brainstormers: getting people/residents into the process of thinking, providing tools, debates
• Professional companions: proactive mindset and attitude, spend time together, providing tools
• Co-creators: experimental, residents/people plan themselves, supervision of planners and communication experts