Environmental zoning of belief systems

Abstract

Sustainable development receives increasing importance and attention. Together with growing urbanisation, measures such as an environmental zone (or LEZ) are deployed as a sustainability policy. In Utrecht this measure has become highly contested and it may be an intractable policy controversy. This study presents four belief systems involved in the environmental zone debate using Q methodology: environmental zone protagonists, antagonists, policy realists and reconfiguration-ists. These belief systems all view the environmental zone in a distinct way, seemingly withholding the conflict to be solved. Using Sabatier’s Advocacy Coalition Framework, the differences between the belief systems are uncovered. This empirical research shows that positions in the debate are not just diametrically opposed. There are certain arguments that have been suppressed by the polarized opposing belief systems. This study suggests that center positions can be designated and developed, and the suppressed arguments could be put on the agenda, both options might alleviate the contention. Similar policy problems concerning sustainable development can adopt this understanding of belief systems, allowing to develop new center positions or uncover suppressed arguments in heated debates.