Participation Within the Landscape of the River Dart Catchment, Devon, England

Abstract

This chapter presents a case study focused on the River Dart in south-west England, part of a transnational project focusing on the participatory management of river landscapes. It illustrates how the project brought together different interest groups and involved local communities in identifying shared values, priorities, and an action plan for the future management of the landscape. By reviewing the role of participation and the principles applied, it provides a rationale

for the approaches adopted. It describes the development process and the design of each event held to engage stakeholders and the public in the project and illustrates how the principles were applied in practice. The results of the study are examined with reference to the experience of the participants. The challenge of the long-term involvement and role of stakeholders after the participative decision-making activities have formally ended is considered with examples and recommendations.