Abstract Local Agenda 21: Perspectives of a new type of local politicsAfter a surge of activism in the late nineties, the motivation of many groups and individuals engaged in Local Agenda 21 activities has declined considerably in Germany over the past two or three years. Whereas many activists report on positive experiences with new patterns of dialogical politics and cooperation, most of them complain that Agenda 21 processes continue to play a rather marginal role in local politics. The question is whether or not Local Agenda 21 can be more than a new participatory instrument for a temporary mobilization of local sustainability initiatives. Or to put it differently: What are the preconditions for an institutional stabilization of Local Agenda 21, not only as a new type of dialogical politics, but also as the central, dynamic promotor of local sustainability? This paper presents the findings of a comparative study on Local Agenda processes in various German cities. The study focused on the question, of how far, and why or why not, the processes succeeded in establishing a new type of politics directed towards a more sustainable path of local development. This is illustrated by the examples of Bremen and Munich. The study identified five common criteria for the institutional stabilization of a dynamic Local Agenda 21 process: (1) high political rank and visibility, (2) integrated patterns of problem solving, (3) expanded forms of civic participation, (4) effective process management, (5) and "sustainability controlling". The paper also discusses four possible scenarios of further development of Local Agenda 21. Which of the scenarios becomes reality depends to a large degree on the image of what people believe Local Agenda 21 should be. Therefore, a broad public debate on the possible role of LA 21 for local development strategies is necessary.
IntroVor etwas mehr als zehn Jahren haben in Rio 178 Staaten die "AGENDA 21" unterzeichnet und sich damit verpflichtet, ihre gesellschaftliche Entwicklung am Prinzip der Gleichgewichtigkeit von wirtschaftlichen, sozialen und ökologischen Ansprüchen auszurichten. Unter anderem wurde den Kommunen als wichtigen Trägern und Akteuren für weltweite nachhaltige Entwicklung eine zentrale Rolle in diesem Prozeß zugewiesen. Seit etwa der Mitte der 90er Jahre hat sich auch unter deutschen Kommunen die "Lokale Agenda 21" erfolgreich verbreitet. Mit zunehmender Dauer werden nun aber auch die Probleme deutlich, die die "Lokale Agenda 21" im Rahmen der alltäglichen Kommunalpolitik hat.
Mobil →
↑ https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/oekom/gaia/2003/00000012/00000001/art00006