Wind and solar park projects are often controversial due to their potential effects on the living environment, but other changes in the physical environment also cause resistance among stakeholders.
Wind and solar park projects are often controversial due to their potential effects on the living environment, but other changes in the physical environment also cause resistance among stakeholders.
The visual impact is one of the main reasons for public opposition, where image-driven participation can help create acceptance and support. When visual effects are not communicated early on, stakeholders tend to form their own ideas about the proposed changes. This can lead to their own (often exaggerated) visualizations or perceptions. A planning process that includes an open public discussion about, among other things, the visual effects can contribute to future acceptance of plans in the physical living environment. This can help improve stakeholders' understanding and their ability to respond to planning issues. This approach aligns with the objectives of the Environmental Planning Act (Omgevingswet).
With the upcoming implementation of the Omgevingswet, participation with the community becomes a requirement. For example, in the Regional Energy Strategy (RES), the introduction of the Omgevingswet means that an Environmental Impact Assessment (plan-m.e.r.) must be conducted more often and earlier in the RES process. But how do you ensure a good participation process during this phase?
There is often a large gap between the knowledge needed to participate in a planning process and the current knowledge of stakeholders. It is important to show stakeholders in a simple way how the planning process works and clearly explain how local stakeholders can contribute their thoughts, comments, suggestions, concerns, and support. This is how you ensure image-driven participation.
To provide a clear picture of the visual effects on the living environment, it is important that the visualized elements appear lifelike. It is crucial that residents and other stakeholders can view the (potential) wind turbines from their backyard and recognize familiar landscape features in relation to the proposed plans. With this information, it is possible to create a good dialogue with your stakeholders.
Make sure stakeholders can actively participate in the process by involving them in the design choices. Let them help decide, but also clearly present the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Visually demonstrate how the scenarios differ from each other and how much visual impact each scenario may have. Analyze which variant/scenario has the most support and communicate the results to the community.
Two variants with small & large wind turbines
Based on “lessons learned,” we offer the following recommendations that can help reduce resistance among stakeholders and thus create image-driven participation:
Involve stakeholders (or a group of their representatives) together at an early stage of the process.
In an early planning phase, (potential) resistance and concerns can be identified early on, allowing the initiator to anticipate accordingly.
Use a combination of online and offline participation methods to engage a broad group of stakeholders.
Ensure your stakeholders know where to find information about the project and that this information is written in simple, clear language.
Combine text with visual elements such as map layers, visualizations, videos, and other images—for example, by showing the visualization viewpoint on the map.
Provide 360-degree photography so stakeholders can look around and also view these images in VR.
Avoid the ‘best-kept secret’ by ensuring maximum online and offline visibility through marketing and communication, so the community stays informed about the plan/project.
Create a ‘collective memory’ by being complete and up-to-date throughout the entire process, from start to finish.
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