Local knowledge is duly defined as “practical, collective and strongly rooted in a particular place” (Geertz, 1983). It is contended that local knowledge establishes an “organized body of thought based on immediacy of experience” (Geertz, 1983).
What are the benefits of “Local Knowledge” to the Planning process?
Smooth transition and ease of implementation would be the first main benefit of knowing and integrating “Local knowledge” to the planning process. Since racial diversity is always an issue when it comes to planning, different point of views and interests should be taken into consideration as to such action (Innes and Booher, 2010).
What challenges and potential conflicts does “Local Knowledge” introduce to the planning process?
Resilience of the different groups of people due to change whether drastic or radical on their viewpoint. Another is the higher tendency to be disregarded and totally not considered on the planning process as the more scientific and method-centric approach of researching data for the plan is highly considered. Lastly, as local knowledge would tend to be ignored, near-future dilemma and conflict would conceivably arise due to the fact that proper communication has not been set in the first phase of planning which in return totally jeopardizes the main concept of the plan (Innes &Booher, 2010).
Identify and describe different ways “Local Knowledge” is integrated with expert knowledge in a planning process.
One way is through proper communication with the involved parties. Whether they are directly or indirectly involved, the point is that, for the plan to move to implementation, considerations should be accounted as to whom would be affected, how it would impact them, and how would they react to it. Accountability is the main factor here, which would entail the implementation going on a smooth sail. Another is through public inclusion and minority assessment, which are big factors to consider. Leaving a certain group of people is like ignoring the impact that they would cause in case the plan does not work, which would probably do more harm than good (Innes &Booher, 2010).
How do you see local knowledge and expert knowledge being integrated in the Go To 2040 strategy papers?
Chicago Metropolitan would integrate a multi-level implementation acknowledging the different aspects and holistic view of the plan (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, 2014). For example, public safety should be hand in hand with the local knowledge of the community itself, which in turn is improved and invigorated by the advance method and strategies derived from expert knowledge. Another one would be assisting every strategy into a corporal ladder of inclusiveness. Public Health, Hunger, Food Systems and Human Relations can share the same core concept when it comes to smooth processes from accommodation to actual improvement of the existing system or the system to be improved. Importantly, the whole planning should be able to see future conflict as to the interest of different strategies because as we know it, one plan might not work for the other so it must be conceived on a way that they would be able to meet halfway.
In addition, mutual collaboration with trial and error would make the integration faster and more effective. The plan should coincide within the whole community, with the actions and methods being implemented deemed necessary to make an all-out strategy for faster results that can be tangibly measured.Before the planning process, the parties involved should be identified, then both types of knowledge are incorporated and outlined for better focus and aim.
References
Geertz, C. (1983). Local Knowledge:Further Essays in Interpretive Anthropology. New York: Basic Books.
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (2014).Chicago community trust strategy papers.
Retrieved from http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/about/2040/supporting-materials/process-
archive/cct-strategy-papers
Innes, J. and Booher, D. (2010).Planning with complexity: an introduction to collaborative rationality for public
policy. New York:Routledge
