Environmental Mediation: Definition and Design

Mediation is an emergent field; therefore, the definition of some terms is still under construction and differs in the scientific literature. For the purpose of this text, the authors define the following three frequently used terms: Environmental Mediation – Method for solving environmental, urban, and territorial conflicts in private, communitarian, or public spaces, national or international, involving a multiplicity of actors from several sectors of society, with different and sometimes antagonistic interests. Environmental Mediation aims at establishing dialogue, mutual understanding and – if possible – agreements between the interested parties, usually including political and administrative entities. Facilitation– Method that promotes dialogue and debate in a professional and impartial manner and establishes group dynamics in discussion, planning and decision-making processes in order to develop common and consensual proposals. This can be done both in the context...