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TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

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2.2.3 The facilitation <strong>of</strong> collaborative stakeholders<br />

One <strong>of</strong> the key requirements for the success <strong>of</strong> such a process is ensuring that a broad range <strong>of</strong><br />

stakeholders representing diverse sectors in the city is involved. There are a number <strong>of</strong> reasons<br />

why the collaboration <strong>of</strong> stakeholders is so important.<br />

Only visions developed in a process involving representatives <strong>of</strong> all sectors are seen as<br />

common visions, and therefore, having a greater chance <strong>of</strong> being implemented.<br />

The involvement <strong>of</strong> stakeholders, who will be charged with the implementation <strong>of</strong> the<br />

vision, helps to create a feeling <strong>of</strong> ownership.<br />

The Prospective Through Scenarios methodology provides a platform for discussion about<br />

the future <strong>of</strong> a given city and its region, and enables stakeholders to find a common<br />

language and shared platform for talking and acting in a concerted manner.<br />

One <strong>of</strong> the initial steps for each gateway was the identification <strong>of</strong> three or four local champions.<br />

It is crucial for the project to gain the trust and support <strong>of</strong> local leaders, and for them to<br />

develop a good understanding <strong>of</strong> the aims <strong>of</strong> the exercise and the methodology. This was<br />

achieved in collaboration with the Urban Forum. Having ‘local champions’ on board helped to<br />

raise local interest in the project and foster participation.<br />

The representatives <strong>of</strong> the sectors listed below in Figure 5 were identified and invited to<br />

participate in the study.<br />

local and regional<br />

government<br />

community groups<br />

architects, planners<br />

and engineers<br />

business community<br />

developers politicians<br />

media education, health and<br />

justice<br />

Figure 5: Sectors invited to participate in the study.<br />

38<br />

religion and arts<br />

Expert facilitation <strong>of</strong> the workshops is one <strong>of</strong> the key conditions in ensuring continuity,<br />

consistency and a uniform structure in developing visions for the different city-regions<br />

participating in the project. Experience gathered through previous projects shows that the level<br />

<strong>of</strong> expert facilitation can contribute significantly to the success or failure <strong>of</strong> such a project. The<br />

Futures Academy facilitators orchestrated the workshops and conducted strategic interviews.<br />

The facilitators were not only the experts in the application <strong>of</strong> the Prospective Through<br />

Scenarios methodology, but also had an extensive knowledge <strong>of</strong> issues related to urban futures.<br />

Their knowledge <strong>of</strong> the examined problem was important in ensuring that none <strong>of</strong> the important<br />

trends and aspects were overlooked throughout the project.

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