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land uses, with a focus on local stakeholders and private investors.
Scenario 4
(Priority to the development of RES) is devoted fulfill the maximum
of the renewable energy sector, even accepting a certain degree of landscape
deterioration or depletion. Facilities are to be located in the areas of greatest
potential energy, with the slightest restrictions in terms of plant size.
Indeed, the choice of the most appropriate scenario should stem from a wise
social, economic and environmental balance between the immediate advantag-
es and all types of future expenses that are likely to be incurred for landscape
consumption.
Consulting authorities with environmental responsibilities
A crucial role in the selection of scenarios was played by participation, called
upon to bridge the gap between the so-called “expert knowledge” and “com-
mon knowledge”, and to strengthen the legitimacy of the Action Plan, which
will be shaped on the selected scenario. In fact, the participatory process is
needed to rise awareness among key actors, such as stakeholders, target groups
and the public at large.
Plan-making authorities should discuss the practicalities of consultation with
these organisations in order to maximise the value of their inputs. A key step for
the construction of the participatory process is therefore the identification of ob-
jectives (informing, promoting good practices, involving common people in the
decisions) and the definition of the actors to be addressed (experts, associations,
local authorities, etc.).
According to Arnstein (1969), the participatory process entails four different lev-
els of involvement. These levels are not alternative, but co-exist within the same
process, and should lead to the definition of common objectives, the discussion
