What is spatial planning saying? A conceptual and methodological framework to assess the institutionalization of nature using critical discourse analysis

Figures & data

Figure 1. General framework to address discursive elements in the processes of institutionalization.

Table 1. Methodological framework – Analytical phases constituting major research questions, methods and procedures, and an example illustrating implementation considering Nature-based Solutions.

Phases	Major research questions		Methods and implementing procedures	Example considering NBS
I. Clarifying concepts	What is the topic to study? What are the concepts related to the topic to study and their possible associated variation?		Define what is the main research question to be answered. Define the term(s) to be analyzed and what should be included and excluded from the analysis	‘Analysis of how are nature-based solutions institutionalized in a particular set of selected planning documents. To explore how other concepts can be considered to represent “nature-based solutions”, as, for instance, green/blue infrastructures, ecological network, etc’.
II. Mapping policy and planning documents	What are the most influential planning and policy documents, in place, likely to influence the spatial planning practice related to the topic to be studied?		Identify the main planning and policy documents, in place, likely to influence spatial planning practice. If needed ask for help in the institutional context under study.	‘National, regional and municipal spatial plans; national, regional and local strategies for biodiversity, water or climate change, etc. Relevant legal regimes related to the plans can also be selected’.
III. Analyzing macro discourse	IIIa. Critical textual analysis	How does the document conceptualize the topic in analysis? To what extent is the topic embedded in the text? To what fields is the topic associated? To what extent is the topic embedded in the text?	Interpret the main features of the text that allow to understand the embeddedness of the term and how is associated with other topics. The main purpose is the be able to frame how the concept is mainly addressed in the document(s)	‘Nature-based solutions appear associated to economic approaches and to risks and climate change prevention approaches’.
	IIIb. Text-type analysis	How can the texts be classified? Is the document normative? What are the most important components of the documents to assess institutionalization?	Classify the texts used in their main typology, e.g. strategies. Understand how the document is divided and if is worth analyzing more deeply one part. Is the incorporation of the subject equally addressed throughout the different components of the document, like, problem show-case, objectives, implementing measures, rules, etc.?	‘Nature-related terms are more referred in the introduction and problem show-case and to a less extent in objectives and/or rules’.
	IIIc. Inter-textuality analysis	To which documents does the text explicitly refer? Are references made in an indirect or a direct format? And where are they placed in the text understudy?	Analyze the references of the document in study. Explore how and where in the document are they mentioned.	Nature based-solutions, when appear related to other documents, appear mainly related to documents produced by public institutions and rarely to scientific articles and technical reports. References to nature-based solutions, in spatial plans, are frequently associated with the climate change adaptation plan and water risks. Water and climate change adaptation plans rarely mention nature-based solutions related to spatial plans.
IV. Framing institutional context	How are the practitioners interpreting the embeddedness of the term in practice? Is the current institutional context a barrier or a driver to the institutionalization of this emergent issue? And how?		Interview practitioners or other important staff that are responsible for putting into practice the thematic in study. Analyze how they ‘make sense’ of the term and search for different conceptualizations	Practitioners refer that although nature-related issues are considered in planning, the recommendations of the environment/nature department are far from being fully assumed. There is a constant struggle for the public space and its associated different uses.