“…A key element in this development is an alternative way of dealing with different interests and perspectives in society, not only by negotiations within the existing political structures, ending up in confrontations in parliaments or other representative bodies, but by discussions and negotiations with societal groups, directly, intentionally and in an early phase in the policy process. In environmental planning, this development is clearly visible in at least a couple of European countries, as can be illustrated by contributions in this journal regarding the usage of CFCs, the reduction of packaging wastes, energy conservation, the managing of contaminated soil (Sairinen and Teittinen, 1999), local green planning (Coenen, 1998), the preservation of areas with outstanding natural beauty (Kitchen, 2000), energy production (Glasbergen and Groenenberg, 2001) or regional sustainable development (Shaw and Kidd, 2001). This interaction can mean (i) interaction between administrators ('officials') and citizens and/or (ii) interaction between different groups of citizens with a different relation with their environments (for recreation, housing, farming etc) and therefore different interests and perspectives.…”