Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
10.2.4 Social Factor 4: Habitat Patterns
Insights from the case studies appear to suggest that support for wind
power development tends to be inversely related to population density but
support is contingent upon an economic beneit being conveyed to com-
munity members. For example, in the United States wind power is strongly
supported in many rural farming communities, because farmers see wind
power as an added revenue source. Similarly, in Denmark and Germany
rural communities are generally supportive of wind power development,
provided that there are clear local economic beneits. In the absence of local
beneit, opposition tends to rise.
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Research also indicates that community sentiments toward local vistas
play an inluential role in wind farm acceptance. For example, in rural com-
munities in Japan ensuring community beneits from wind systems does
not guarantee community acceptance, because small Japanese villages
exhibit a high level of sensitivity toward projects that might alter traditional
vistas.
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Similarly, in the United States ofshore wind power development
faces stif opposition in many rural maritime communities, due to concerns
over aesthetic impairment to community vistas.
he main lesson for policymakers and project developers in regard
to habitat management is that wind power projects are best planned in
remote locations; however, this is not in itself suicient to ensure commu-
nity acceptance. Projects need to beneit the local community and need to
be planned in an inclusive manner to allow all community stakeholders the
chance to voice concerns. Although project developers may be able to avoid
such a time-consuming, contentious activity by simply contracting with a
private farmer to lease land, in the long run, failure to seek collaborative
siting of wind farms can result in greater siting restrictions in the future.
his also highlights the desirability of working with local governments and
municipal stakeholders to identify prospective sites which are favorably
predisposed to hosting wind power projects. In short, cobbling together
wind power development strategies based on wind power potential studies
alone is a recipe for civic opposition.
10.2.5 Social Factor 5: Affluence
he case studies introduced in this topic provide evidence that the level of
aluence of a community or nation can inluence wind power development
prospects in at least three ways. First, as highlighted earlier, increased
aluence tends to engender enhanced levels of public activism in regard
