Title: Absent voices: accommodating the interests of future generations in current decision-making processes

Authors: David Garnett

Addresses: UWE Bristol, Faculty of the Built Environment, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK

Abstract: Underlying the paper|s arguments is the proposition that current built environment policies are based on a particular rationality that fails to accommodate the value of keeping options open in the interest of future generations. This failure brings to the fore the question of what counts as a ||sustainable|| decision. Consideration is given to how established deliberative techniques might be adapted to include future generations and other ||absent voices|| in the decision constituency so as to create democratic procedures that are more inclusive.

Keywords: decision-making; generative discourse; ideal speech; intergenerational justice; multiple criteria analysis; multiple rationality analysis; sustainability; built environment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSD.1999.004344

International Journal of Sustainable Development, 1999 Vol.2 No.4, pp.517 - 529

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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