Re: "The Economic Benefits of Open Space" -Reply

[Emery Graham <"egraham"@ci.wilmington.de.us>]

I agree with Charles. The "context of development" tends to mediate the
"rightness" of a decision. However, it's been my experience that the
regulators
and the private sector players tend to play leadership roles in the
development
of citizen consensus regarding planning and project issues. For those of us
who
have practical experience with public consensus building, there is a marked
advantage that accrues to the facilitators and leaders re framing and guiding
the discussion, not to mention determining the agendas that are constructed.

Emery

CHARLES PATRIZIA wrote:

> I am somewhat troubled by the sense I get from Emery's posting that
> there is a single right decision with regard to a parcel, and that someone,
> apparently with expertise, should make that decision to assure the "right"
> use.  The local residents, the local government, the property owner, and
> others, all get to play in the decision, and the "right" answer may vary
> over time and with different groups.  Emery may doubt that a "park" is the
> right use, but May Giuliani's recent experience with garden plots in NYC
> could also suggest otherwise.