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Making sense of how proponents conspire to thwart environmental impact assessment processes: insights from the Miramar Resort controversy in Taiwan.

Huang, Yi-Chen; Mabon, Leslie

Authors

EVA HUANG e.huang1@rgu.ac.uk
COMPLETED Research Student

Leslie Mabon



Abstract

Despite extensive enquiry into the socio-political aspects of environmental impact assessments (EIA), empirical material from east- and south-east Asia remains underrepresented in English-language scholarship. This is notable given increasing infrastructural developments and interest in environmental justice in the region. We contribute to this field by evaluating the Miramar Resort EIA controversy in Taitung County, Taiwan, to assess how a developer and a local government conspired to circumvent an EIA process. Through documentary analysis and stakeholder interviews, we assess the argumentation used by different actors to articulate their support for or opposition to the development. We find that much contention rests on claims to economic benefit and environmental protection that cannot be verified, and on limited participation opportunities. We call for further research into strategies used by proponents to discredit the knowledge and experience of opponents within EIA processes, especially given rising global interest in traditional, local and indigenous knowledge.

Citation

HUANG, Y.-C. and MABON, L. 2022. Making sense of how proponents conspire to thwart environmental impact assessment processes: insights from the Miramar Resort controversy in Taiwan. Journal of environmental planning and management [online], 65(9), pages 1685-1707. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.1944846

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 9, 2021
Online Publication Date Aug 9, 2021
Publication Date Aug 31, 2022
Deposit Date Aug 20, 2021
Publicly Available Date Aug 20, 2021
Journal Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
Print ISSN 0964-0568
Electronic ISSN 1360-0559
Publisher Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 65
Issue 9
Pages 1685-1704
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.1944846
Keywords Environmental controversy; Environmental impact assessment; Public participation; Sustainable development; Taiwan
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1411683