*4.4. Preconditions for Ensuring a Values-Enabling Planning Environment*

By developing the methodology, it is acknowledged that three essential preconditions are necessary to promote the environment in which spatial planning is taking place. This implies that it has to be a values-enabling planning environment. This is essential for values-based spatial development to emerge. If an environment is not supportive of values but rather impedes values, it cannot lead to a values-based spatial development. The planning environment involves conditions that surround and enable the planning process. For instance, laws, policies, professional ethics, human behaviours, and capacity, among others. The planning environment should play a fundamental role in shaping the nature of spatial planning practices within geographies, legal jurisdictions, or administrative boundaries. Three essential elements that characterise the planning environment based on the shared values of stakeholders include: (1) the organization of spatial planning and involvement in it; (2) a planning process and tools; and (3) the relationship of planning activities to fostering sustainable communities. These are further explained below.

4.4.1. The Organization of Spatial Planning and Involvement in it

The organization of the planning process and stakeholders' involvement allow for a values-enabling environment if the administrative structures, policy frameworks, institutional and social settings, collective actions, and social learning are collaborative in their design. Hence, when developing a values-enabling or supportive environment in spatial planning, the following issues are relevant to consider for applying the methodology:

