SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE SITING OF FACILITIES FOR HAZARDOUS-WASTE MANAGEMENT

A conflict arises when some groups interpret a siting as a possibility while others see it as constituting a risk. The actors involved are f aced with various problems regarding decisionmaking. What, for the gov ernment, can be a solution to an environmental problem can be seen by the people living in the area in question as a threat to their health and immediate environment. This article discusses the possibility of c reating a dialogue between various actors involved in a siting conflic t. It is stated that the dialogue should be democratic and based on kn owledge: siting has political dimensions, and therefore it is importan t that citizens have the possibility of participating in the decision- making process. In addition, by allowing several different perspective s to influence a siting decision, more knowledge is created about the proposal. In conclusion, the paper gives some general advice concernin g how such a dialogue can be brought about. A dialogue can fail, but t he chance of a good solution increases if a dialogue is encouraged to proceed.