Rico, Diannemar B.

& Calma, Camille

2012-02610 & 2013-

TAKE HOME QUIZ (Planners Role)

CERP 131 U

Planner as a Dispute Resolver

Characteristic/role in every planning phase:
In goals and objectives identification where the full slate of interest groups affected by a
proposed plan or program is brought up, the planner looks for a balance between the aims
of the two parties at the same time, weighing their own assessment of the best course of
action
In policy formulation, the planners role is to strike the balance between the two
conflicting parties
In plan preparation and adoption, planner is engulfed in political pressures, as both sides
appeal to elected officials to support their positions
In plan and program implementation, planner juggles the opposing interests during the
preparation of workable implementing proposals
In regulatory administration, it is difficult, if not possible, to satisfy the objections of both
groups within the economic constraints of a project
Two general types of negotiation processes a planner uses:
Distributive bargaining planner seeks to gain the most return possible without concern
for the other party; planner often distort and manipulate information, use threats and
bluffs, and may be only minimally honest and trustworthy
Integrative bargaining planner seeks for what is mutually satisfactory to both sides;
planner discloses factual and valid information, eschew threats and bluffs, and increase
trust and openness as way of inducing cooperative problem solving approaches
Main types of dispute resolution approaches of interest to planners:
Consensus-building planner facilitates agreement on basic policy issues and priorities
Negotiation planner allows face-to-face bargaining to settle a controversy
Mediation planner assists the parties in reaching agreement but he/she has no power for
imposing what he/she wants
Arbitration planners vests considerable power on an outside force to make a decision
after considering the sides of the parties
Other characteristics of a planner as a dispute resolver:
Planners primary obligation is to serve the public interest
Planners responsibility is to strive for excellence of environmental designs to protect the
integrity of the natural environment, and to strive to expand choice and opportunity for
all persons but with a special responsibility for disadvantaged groups/persons
Planner should understand the key issues involved in a decision to proceed and use their
offices to facilitate appropriate agreements at the preliminary stages