As land use issues become more complex, public officials must work
harder to balance the contending forces of environmental protection,
economic development, and local autonomy. This guidebook, developed by
the Consensus Building Institute, offers step-by-step advice on assisted
negotiation based on a study of 100 local land use disputes. It
addresses why and how to use assisted negotiation, the risks and
preparations involved, and issues in hiring a professional mediator or
facilitator.