This is the reason for which foresight can be a valuable source of methods useful for addressing the participation’s design and to manage the differences of power between stakeholders. Studies can also be associated with this strand, those of Pellizzoni on the engagement of scientific expertise in the evaluation and legitimisation of waste treatment plants, and on the social and cultural consequences of processes of politicising knowledge. In these studies, the protagonism of civic networks, environmental and voluntary associations, in the co-design of services emerges, especially in experiences of citizen involvement in neighbourhoods at high social risk. In particular, the power dynamics between social actors in different capacities involved in the processes of converting collection systems or building waste disposal infrastructures have been explored.

The first strand gathered around the analysis and description of the engagement processes of civil society or scientific and professional expertise. In this section, three strands of research are summarised two were developed in the field of sociology of the environment and territory, particularly in the last twenty years, whilst the other one is related to the observation of participatory foresight practices in regional or urban planning processes. The impact of participatory planning in waste management, has been observed by a wide interdisciplinary literature. In particular, the project was effective in broadening the participation of civil society in the area, in making the plan’s objectives more ambitious, and in fostering the creation of a collaborative network between public, market and third sector actors. The process involved 35 different stakeholders (unions, businesses, schools, trade, environmental associations, etc.) in structured consultations based on the principle of building a shared transition to 2030. The article presents an innovative case carried out in Valle d’Aosta in 2021, with the aim of promoting the participatory methodology experimented and the institutionalisation of such applications in strategic waste planning processes. On this level, participatory planning conducted through foresight techniques plays an increasing role. The effectiveness of regulatory and organisational arrangements of Regional Waste Plans is linked to the availability of technologies and material infrastructure, but also to social consensus and behaviours.

The impact of decisions such as the allocation of industrial waste treatment plants and waste collection strategies can affect the economic structure and quality of life of territories. Waste management is one of the most strategic areas of regional policy planning.

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