Scenario Development

Three future scenarios are developed with input from stakeholders providing local information on human uses and preferences for future location and intensity. Stakeholders also suggest specific changes to the scenarios, based on known alternative development plans or future natural resource uses. Simple tools (e.g. NatCap’s online mapping tool InSEAM) and exercises help stakeholders understand what scenarios are and how alternative spatial development decisions can affect natural capital and benefits delivered to people.

  • Interdisciplinary team, including planner, GIS analyst, ecologist and social/political scientist to convene the meetings and encourage feedback from the stakeholders.
  • Collect spatial information using maps and note taking.
  • Scenario development is a time consuming and iterative process that requires multiple stages of review and refinement.
  • It is critical to bring maps and other reference information to the meetings in order to stimulate a robust discussion.