Creating Transactional Space for Sustainability

A concept that has emerged internationally in response to pressing development issues, sustainability presents the challenge of forming a more networked approach to governance-an approach that connects otherwise segmented policy areas and fosters greater communication among governments, stakeholders and citizens. It calls for discursive opportunities in which actors can explore the differing knowledge, perspectives and values surrounding sustainability. This book therefore develops a notion of transactional space to bring into focus the processes of reflection, dialogue and mutual learning that effective sustainability discourse involves. Drawing on an intensive process conducted with the WA Collaboration-a partnership of organizations from various social and environmental perspectives committed to sustainability-and a review of participatory theory and practice, the book demonstrates how transactional exchange can lead to more comprehensive understanding of policy issues and integrative approaches. For policy professionals, facilitators and academics alike, it presents principles and practical considerations for transactional space relevant to a range of deliberative settings.