Negotiating sustainable landscape management in Lao PDR

摘要: Land-use Planning (LUP) has long been used as a tool for applying sustainable development discourses and accounting both present future needs of populations. In Lao PDR, like in many natural resource rich but population poor countries, successive land-use policies have tested to respond conservation-development challenges relation on-going land forest degradation. Past planning/ allocation processes seen counterproductive, exacerbating poverty deforestation trends. An essential task participatory action-research is therefore address the gap between policy practice by involving scientists, planners local communities designing landscapes. The aim this thesis investigate how planning principles can be applied differently better manage ecosystem-livelihood trade-offs through negotiations at multiple scales with stakeholder groups. functioning an project illustrated case studies northern PDR three main interrelated components activities. first involves multi-level diagnostic study aimed drawing lessons from past experiences identifying mismatches (inter-) national implementation planning. By combining empirical comprehensive analysis context, research showed that, context limited technical investment capacity agencies, reality LUP remains entangled confused ‘on-the-ground’ issues lacks integration knowledge perspectives. helps define framework innovation. second component focuses on landscape design approach that generic adaptive enough nationally accordance Participatory (PLUP) guidelines developed government. This pilot borrowed body accumulated transdisciplinary ambitions thesis. Historical changes landscapes livelihoods were ground platform context. Local practitioners involved series learning activities village level. After eliciting related livelihoods, role-play called ‘PLUP Fiction’ villagers experiment zoning based virtual landscape. Additionally, 3D modelling was ‘boundary object’ visualise alternative scenarios. Knowledge originated different sources, i.e. scientific disciplines, mobilized during A Geographic Information System (GIS) coupled cost/benefit model parameterised villagers, could capture real-time information areas plan under discussion corresponding socio-economic environmental returns. Through iterative design, participants gradually refined their introduction innovative cropping animal husbandry systems changing parameters simulation. important part consisted building make stakeholders (i.e. district communities) autonomous engage them into term monitoring which necessary regularly revisit plans achieve outcomes. third explores translate global regulations actions explored. Our brought up international debates Reduced Emissions Deforestation Degradation (REDD). payment ecosystem services, scenarios frame about benefit sharing equity. engaged formulation, helped reducing gap, are more realistic relevant chance actually implemented impact. approaches PhD demonstrate balance rural against sustaining environment. Furthermore improvements made directly inviting take decision-making process thereby promoting ownership responsibility over management.