Mediation Using Verbal Matrix Analysis? The Case of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Normandy

A durable conflict over water rights near the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, France, has been analyzed using Verbal Matrix Analysis (VMA), a method inspired by cartographer Jacques Bertin's work. The study reveals that VMA can serve as an effective tool for mediation in situations characterized by antagonistic positions on major public choices. Specifically, it suggests redirecting the focus from the demolition of dams to risk management, potentially resolving the dispute over whether to remove two hydropower dams in the Sélune River valley. These dams, integral to the Normandy landscape since 1907 and 1932, provide electricity, freshwater reservoirs, and recreational activities for 250,000 annual visitors while also serving as a backup resource for nearby nuclear reactors. The conflict arises from competing interests: one advocating for dam removal under the guise of salmon conservation, despite no actual salmon issues, and another prioritizing economic stability and landscape preservation. VMA offers a structured approach to navigate these tensions and achieve peace-making.

Kitous, B. (2017). Mediation Using Verbal Matrix Analysis? The Case of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Normandy. Białostockie Studia Prawnicze, 22(4), 203–224. https://doi.org/10.15290/bsp.2017.22.04.15