The “Handreiking” or the intentions of the Public authority

The next step to increase the accessibility of policy decisions and the involvement of business and citizens is to explain to them what the intentions are of the policy maker for other authorities and parties involved. The “handreiking” is the legal implementation document clarifying the interests of the Province with respect to each part of the plan or sector addressed. To find out what the public authority intents, one clicks on the map or enters the keyword to access the clarification in terms of policies and explanations. This supports the deliberation process of all actors involved in balancing the different interests to the desired optimum. It also supports those actors to find the right protocol or permit procedure to set action in motion.

The handreiking is an excellent example of a so called “folksonomy”; a controlled vocabulary that helps people to understand formal language. In this case it supports questions for citizens and actors that have to deal with concrete effects of legal plans on their own activities and intended actions. It helps them to consult the right people for the right permit or appeal processes in case o discussion and deliberation.