Constructing Strategies in Strategic Urban Planning: A Case Study of a Decision Support and Evaluation Model

Increasing number of administrations tries to promote interaction
processes at all levels of urban planning. The task is to develop methods and
techniques for encouraging participation, in order to identify consistent policy
choices. The authors conducted a participatory policy-making experience for
the strategic plan of a small town, by testing the usefulness of few "proactive"
decision support tools. In particular, in this paper we present the experience
with the use of a tool for the structuration of the strategic process in basic
elements, goals and actions, and a multi-objective evaluation tool for the
definition of strategic options, setting priorities, future implementation phases
and sequencing of policies. Conclusively, we reflect on the outcomes of this
strategic planning experience to draw some more general reflections on the use
and usefulness of such tools for the participatory strategic planning.