Chapter 9
Knowledge Exchange at Science-Policy
Interfaces in the Fields of Spatial
Planning, Land Use and Soil
Management: A Swiss Case Study
Marco Pütz and Regula Brassel
Abstract In this article, we investigate knowledge exchange at the intersection of
science and Swiss public policy in the fields of spatial planning, land use and soil
management. Based on a literature review and expert interviews, we identify six
types of knowledge exchange, and examine the barriers to and opportunities for
knowledge exchange. These six underlying concepts suggest knowledge exchange
is a challenging task because different expectations exist on how knowledge should
be exchanged.
Keywords Knowledge exchange · Science-policy interface · Spatial planning ·
Land use · Switzerland
9.1 Introduction
Over the last few decades, the way in which science has been considered to be
an instrument to inform policymakers has changed. Science addressing environmental policy issues often has to deal with endemic uncertainties, conflicting values
and different goals among actors. This has challenged traditional science, which
has been widely understood as a provider of value-free and definite factual knowledge (Funtowicz and Ravetz 1993: 739, 744, 749 et seq.; Ravetz 1999: 647–650).
Observing this development, Funtowicz and Ravetz (1993) introduced the concept
of “post-normal” science—a “problem-solving strategy [for policy issues], where
systems uncertainties or decision stakes are high” (Funtowicz and Ravetz 1993: 749).
Systems uncertainties refer to problems that cannot be solved simply by detecting
a specific fact, but where a complex reality has to be understood and managed.
Decision stakes encompass the diverse interests of different actors concerning an
issue (Funtowicz and Ravetz 1993: 744). To deal with these system uncertainties
and decision stakes, post-normal science implies that it is not only researchers or
M. Pütz (B) · R. Brassel
Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Regionalökonomie und –entwicklung, Eidgenössische
Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft (WSL), Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903
Birmensdorf, Switzerland
e-mail: marco.puetz@wsl.ch
© The Author(s) 2021
T. Weith et al. (eds.), Sustainable Land Management in a European Context,
Human-Environment Interactions 8, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50841-8_9
165
Knowledge Exchange at Science-Policy
Interfaces in the Fields of Spatial
Planning, Land Use and Soil
Management: A Swiss Case Study
Marco Pütz and Regula Brassel
Abstract In this article, we investigate knowledge exchange at the intersection of
science and Swiss public policy in the fields of spatial planning, land use and soil
management. Based on a literature review and expert interviews, we identify six
types of knowledge exchange, and examine the barriers to and opportunities for
knowledge exchange. These six underlying concepts suggest knowledge exchange
is a challenging task because different expectations exist on how knowledge should
be exchanged.
Keywords Knowledge exchange · Science-policy interface · Spatial planning ·
Land use · Switzerland
9.1 Introduction
Over the last few decades, the way in which science has been considered to be
an instrument to inform policymakers has changed. Science addressing environmental policy issues often has to deal with endemic uncertainties, conflicting values
and different goals among actors. This has challenged traditional science, which
has been widely understood as a provider of value-free and definite factual knowledge (Funtowicz and Ravetz 1993: 739, 744, 749 et seq.; Ravetz 1999: 647–650).
Observing this development, Funtowicz and Ravetz (1993) introduced the concept
of “post-normal” science—a “problem-solving strategy [for policy issues], where
systems uncertainties or decision stakes are high” (Funtowicz and Ravetz 1993: 749).
Systems uncertainties refer to problems that cannot be solved simply by detecting
a specific fact, but where a complex reality has to be understood and managed.
Decision stakes encompass the diverse interests of different actors concerning an
issue (Funtowicz and Ravetz 1993: 744). To deal with these system uncertainties
and decision stakes, post-normal science implies that it is not only researchers or
M. Pütz (B) · R. Brassel
Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Regionalökonomie und –entwicklung, Eidgenössische
Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft (WSL), Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903
Birmensdorf, Switzerland
e-mail: marco.puetz@wsl.ch
© The Author(s) 2021
T. Weith et al. (eds.), Sustainable Land Management in a European Context,
Human-Environment Interactions 8, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50841-8_9
165