A Participatory Systems Inquiry into Land use Planning in Regional Victoria: Insights from Causal Loop Diagramming

Abstract

Land use planning in regional Victoria operates within a complex and fragmented policy environment, shaped by climate change, population growth, competing land demands, and institutional silos. This study adopts a systems thinking lens to reconceptualise land use planning as a wicked problem characterised by interdependencies, contested values, and deep uncertainty. Using a participatory system dynamics approach, a group model-building workshop was conducted with local and state-level stakeholders from planning, environmental, and agricultural sectors. Participants co-developed four causal loop diagrams (CLDs), which were synthesised into a consolidated systems map representing the dynamics of the land use decision-making of the North Central regional system (NCRS). Findings highlight that there is no single solution for resolving this complex issue. However, the resulting CLD illustrated key reinforcing loops. It also revealed leverage points around zoning reform, institutional coordination, and long-term resilience planning. The CLD process not only surfaced systemic feedback but also enabled participants to reflect on cross-sector interconnections. This study demonstrates how participatory systems dynamics can support more adaptive and inclusive planning practices, offering a replicable framework for addressing wicked problems in diverse contexts.