Originally from Alternatives to the High Cost of Litigation

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Town planning makes a nonsense out of traditional notions of dispute resolution.

The fundamental problem is that, in most land-use disputes, there are two identified parties, the developer and the planning authority. But actually three interests need considering. The general public may have a very different viewpoint to the other two. Each needs to be represented in any discussion.

Things become even more complex where local authority regeneration schemes lead to the replacement of buildings where individuals may have property rights which can obstruct much needed redevelopment.

Finally, in some parts of the world, political and historical issues have held back the redevelopment of prime real estate and left a series of problems or disputes that a new generation of politicians, lawyers and architects need to resolve in order to prevent the stagnation of cities.