Consensus Building in Planning an Intermediate Waste Treatment Plant. Sachihiko Harashina, Dept. of Social Eng. Tokyo Institute of Technology; 2-12-1, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152, Japan
Waste treatment plants are one of unwelcome facilities as the people feel risk by their operation. Even an intermediate treatment plant which is much less risky is regarded as a rather hazardous facility from neighbors. This is an example of risk communication problem. There are many disputes on these facilities because of NIMBY reaction in many parts of Japan. As waste treatment problem is becoming very serious in Japan, it is very important to resolve this kind of disputes to construct the indispensable facilities especially in urbanized areas. To resolve these disputes, we have to consider the resolution process is a learning process of both citizens and administrators. It, therefore, is required to have a well conducted participation based on good risk communication to enhance the learning process. This kind of dispute is hard to resolve as the residents' perception of risk is very strong. One way of the resolution is through citizen participation from the earlier stage of planning with providing sufficient information. The paper analyzes a recent successful case, which is very rare, through an intensive participation at a city in Tokyo area.