Electronically Assisted Dialogues for Urban Planning

Previous research describes phases in the design of electronically supported meetings from a temporal perspective. Yet the epistemological status of each phase has not been identified. It is proposed that the pre-meeting phase should be evaluated from a positivist orientation while the meeting itself should be evaluated from an interpretive orientation. Results are reported from a case study in urban planning that provides empirical support for these propositions. Data was gathered during the design and implementation of a strategic evaluation meeting. The goal of this meeting is seen as building consensus via ‘rational communication’ (Habermas 1987). Participants’ performance and perceptions are reported. Observational evidence suggests that participants’ prior life experiences biased their interpretations.