The use of boundary spanning in spatial planning and community planning to promote wellbeing

Abstract

This paper will discuss how the activity of boundary spanning in the context of spatial and community planning can be harnessed to promote wellbeing via advancing a networked approach to governance using six defined types of cross-boundary activity (buffering, reflecting, connecting, mobilising, weaving & transforming) in order to ameliorate against “wicked issues” (Rittel and Webber, 1973) through the realisation of ‘The Nexus Effect’ and the building of social capital through engagement and participatory mechanisms. The Nexus Effect primarily relates to collaborative gain and according to Ernst and Chrobot-Mason (2011:18) it occurs through understanding that, “organizational leadership is more than the sum of its parts; it is more than groups working in independent isolation, within their own boundaries – it is the nexus of groups working collaboratively across boundaries that produces direction, alignment and commitment”.