ABSTRACT
The planning cell system was first used in the German town of Schwelm in 1972. Since then planning cells have been used 155 times in 39 different locations and have proved an effective aid to resolving hardened conflicts and producing consensual outcomes. The success of the planning cell system in Germany has also had a direct impact on the policy process in other liberal democracies, most notably with the development of citizens’ juries, which have drawn upon many of the features of planning cells (Crosby et al. 1986; Coote and Lenahan 1997). Having been involved since the outset, over 25 years ago, I wish to present a personal overview of how planning cells work, for I believe they offer an important means of developing a more inclusive and democratic society.
