Standardisation of Risk and the Risk of Standardisation : Using Standards in Risk Management Regulations for Land-use Planning

This thesis discusses the use of standards in land-use planning risk management regulations. Based on exploring the domains of standards and standardisation, risk science, and risk management regulations, the research contributes significant empirical evidence capturing the perspectives of risk managementpractitioners in terms of the strengths, the weaknesses and the effects of using standards in regulations for land-use planning. Research activities also include analysing who is influential when developing standards. Guided by the fundamentals of standards and standardisation, and the most recent advancesin risk science, the thesis develops a set of aspects that should be considered when assessing the use of standards in risk management regulations. Having applied this body of knowledge to a new Swedish guideline for managing risk in land-use planning, the thesis concludes that for familiar non-complex risk problems, a hard regulatory approach is appropriate. For more complex, uncertain, and ambiguous decision situations, softer approaches are more appropriate. Regardless of whether a hard or soft regulatory approach is chosen, the standardisation process (i.e. the production of the standard) should involve adequate participation and balanced representation from all relevant stakeholders. Every voice should be heard, and standardizers must remain vigilant to prevent power imbalances or misuse of power. Even if the scope of the dissertation is land-use planning - specifically land-use planning near stationary risk sources (hazardous industries) and non-stationary risk sources (transport of dangerous goods on road and rail) - much of the discussion is relevant regardless of the risk domain and application area.