Planning for sustainable development: 'wicked problems' at Sydney's Malabar Headland

Abstract

This chapter explores a set of wicked problems in the Malabar Headland in Sydney, Australia. By employing a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, it was found that wicked problems were produced, reproduced and perpetuated in the Malabar Headland due mainly to two principal reasons: a) operational – relating to the complex and conflicting valuesets among stakeholders and multiple uses; and b) structural – relating to the institutional and interest group politics inherent within the layered federal system of government in Australia.