Appeal Tribunals in Land Use Planning: Look-Alikes or Different Species? A Comparative Analysis of Oregon, England and Israel

Planning-related, land use conflicts are well documented. Yet, the appeal tribunal, where these conflicts are deliberated, is rarely studied. So far, the literature has not focused on appellate bodies or the contents of their decisions. Hence, this article explores appeal tribunals in the field of land use planning through a comparative analysis of three appellate bodies in Oregon, England, and Israel. Similarities and differences exist in their composition, adjudication methods, scope of review of lower-hierarchy decisions, the context in which they operate, and the stakeholders who become involved in the appeal process. Finally, an integrative evaluation reveals two distinct appeal tribunal models that operate in the three jurisdictions. These analyses provide new insight for policymakers and create a broader perspective for rethinking existing institutions.