The document discusses public participation in planning. It begins by defining public participation as involving members of the public in the decision-making process related to urban and regional planning. It then discusses the historical evolution of public participation, from early top-down decision making to more inclusive approaches today. The document outlines several benefits of public participation, including improved planning outcomes, increased transparency, and greater civic engagement. It also describes various methods used for public participation, such as public meetings, surveys, workshops, and online engagement. Overall, the document provides an overview of the goals, perspectives, and techniques involved in public participation in the planning process.

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PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION
Subject: Planning Theory II
Presenter: Kabeer Sodhi
B.Plan 2nd year

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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
 Public participation in planning refers to the process of involving members of the
public in the decision-making process related to urban and regional planning.
The goal of public participation is to ensure that the planning process is
inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs and preferences of the
community.
 Public participation in planning involves engaging members of the public in
discussions about planning proposals, soliciting feedback and opinions, and
incorporating that feedback into planning decisions. It recognizes that members
of the public have valuable insights and expertise that can improve the quality
and effectiveness of planning decisions.

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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Public participation in planning has a rich history that has evolved over time. Here are some historical perspectives on public
participation:
 Early Planning: The early days of planning were characterized by top-down decision-making, where planners and government
officials made decisions without consulting the public. This approach was based on the belief that experts knew best, and the
public did not have the knowledge or expertise to contribute meaningfully to the planning process.
 Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s played an important role in shifting the approach to public
participation in planning. The movement highlighted the voices and perspectives of traditionally marginalized groups, leading to a
greater focus on equity and social justice in planning.
 Environmental Movement: The environmental movement of the 1970s also played a significant role in shaping public
participation in planning. The movement highlighted the importance of public participation in protecting the environment and led to
the creation of laws and policies that require public participation in planning.
 Community Planning: In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a growing movement towards community-based planning, which
emphasized the importance of involving local communities in the planning process. This approach recognized the unique
perspectives and needs of local communities and aimed to create more inclusive and responsive planning outcomes.
 Digital Age: With the advent of the internet and digital communication technologies, public participation has become more
accessible and inclusive. Online engagement methods, such as social media, online forums, and interactive mapping tools, have
provided new opportunities for members of the public to participate in planning processes from their own devices.
 Overall, public participation in planning has evolved over time to become more inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the
needs and perspectives of local communities

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WHY PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
 Improved Planning Outcomes: Public participation can lead to better planning outcomes by ensuring that proposals reflect
community values and priorities. By engaging members of the public in the planning process, planners can gain a better
understanding of community needs and preferences and create more effective planning proposals.
 Increased Transparency and Accountability: Public participation can increase transparency and accountability in the planning
process. By involving the public in decision-making, planners can help to build trust and understanding between the community
and government, resulting in greater acceptance of planning proposals.
 Social Equity: Public participation can promote social equity by ensuring that traditionally marginalized groups have a voice in the
planning process. By engaging with these groups and including their perspectives in planning proposals, planners can create
more equitable and just outcomes.
 Enhanced Community Understanding: Public participation can help to enhance community understanding of planning issues
and proposals. By providing opportunities for education and dialogue, members of the public can learn about planning proposals
and provide feedback to planners.
 Increased Civic Engagement: Public participation can increase civic engagement by providing opportunities for community
members to get involved in decision-making related to planning proposals. This can lead to a greater sense of ownership and
investment in the community, resulting in more active and engaged citizens.
 Improved Implementation: Public participation can improve the implementation of planning proposals by ensuring that proposals
are tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the community. By involving the public in the planning process, planners can
help to ensure that proposals are more likely to be successfully implemented.
Overall, public participation in planning can lead to more inclusive, effective, and equitable planning outcomes that reflect the needs and
perspectives of the community.

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PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE IN
THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
IN THE FOLLOWING REALMS:
 Pre‐plan participation in decision making in vision development, for identification of development priorities.
 Post‐plan participation before finalization and implementation of development programmes and priorities.
 Participation during implementation and evaluation of development programmes and project.
 Participation and sharing the benefits of development, managing the assets etc.
 e‐Platform and crowd sourcing are coming up as new modes of obtaining feedback speedily.

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METHODS OF PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION
 Public Meetings: Public meetings are a traditional method of public participation in planning. These meetings are typically held in
person or virtually and provide an opportunity for members of the public to provide input on planning proposals, share concerns,
and ask questions.
 Surveys and Questionnaires: Surveys and questionnaires can be used to gather information from members of the public about
their opinions and preferences related to planning proposals. These can be distributed online, through mail or in person.
 Workshops and Focus Groups: Workshops and focus groups are more intensive forms of public participation, where a small
group of individuals engage in discussions with planners and experts on specific topics related to planning proposals.
 Public Hearings: Public hearings are a formal process where members of the public can provide testimony in front of planning
boards and other decision-makers. They are typically held in a public space, and members of the public can submit written or oral
testimony.
 Online Engagement: Online engagement methods, such as social media, online forums, and interactive mapping tools, can be
used to engage a broader audience of individuals who may not be able to attend in-person meetings.
 Community Outreach: Community outreach is an important method of public participation that involves reaching out to
traditionally underrepresented or marginalized groups in the planning process, such as low-income or minority communities. This
can be done through targeted communication and outreach strategies, including public events and door-to-door canvassing.
 By using a combination of these methods, planners can gather a wide range of perspectives and ideas from members of the
public and create more inclusive and effective planning proposals. process. By involving the public in decision-making, planners
can help to build trust and understanding between the community and government, resulting in greater acceptance of planning
proposals.

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Surveys and Questionnaires
The URDPFI guidelines recommend the use of different types of surveys and questionnaires in the planning process. Such as:
 Socio-economic Survey: This type of survey is used to collect data on the socio-economic characteristics of the population in
the planning area. It includes information on income, education, occupation, household size, and other factors that can affect
planning decisions.
 Housing Survey: This type of survey is used to gather information on housing conditions and needs in the planning area. It
includes data on the number of households, type of housing, and access to basic amenities such as water supply and sanitation.
 Transportation Survey: This type of survey is used to gather information on the transportation needs and patterns of the
population in the planning area. It includes data on travel modes, trip purposes, and travel distances.
 Environmental Survey: This type of survey is used to gather information on the natural and built environment in the planning
area. It includes data on land use, vegetation, water bodies, air quality, and other environmental factors that can impact planning
decisions.
 Land Use Survey: This type of survey is used to gather information on the current and future land use patterns in the planning
area. It includes data on the location, size, and use of different types of land, such as residential, commercial, and industrial.
 Opinion Survey: This type of survey is used to gather public opinion on planning issues and proposals. It includes questions on
satisfaction with current services and facilities, preferences for future development, and concerns about potential impacts of
planning proposals.
 Traffic Survey: This type of survey is used to gather information on traffic patterns and volumes in the planning area. It includes
data on vehicular and non-vehicular traffic, as well as traffic flow and congestion.

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Workshops and Focus Groups
 Design Workshop: A design workshop is a collaborative process where stakeholders and designers work together to create a
design solution. This type of workshop is often used in urban design and landscape architecture to engage stakeholders in the
design process.
 Public Forum Workshop: A public forum workshop is an open meeting where the public can express their opinions on planning
issues. This type of workshop is often used to discuss controversial or complex planning issues with a large group of people.
 Stakeholder Workshop: A stakeholder workshop is a meeting that brings together representatives from different stakeholder
groups to discuss planning issues. This type of workshop is often used to engage with specific interest groups, such as
environmental organizations or business associations.
 Visioning Workshop: A visioning workshop is a collaborative process where stakeholders and planners work together to create
a shared vision for the future. This type of workshop is often used to establish long-term planning goals and objectives.
 Charrette Workshop: A charrette workshop is a short, intensive design workshop that brings together stakeholders and
designers to develop a design solution in a short period of time. This type of workshop is often used to create design solutions for
a specific site or project.
 Focus Group: A focus group is a small, moderated discussion group that explores a particular planning issue in depth. This type
of workshop is often used to gather detailed feedback from a specific group of stakeholders, such as residents or business
owners.
 Deliberative Workshop: A deliberative workshop is a structured process that brings together stakeholders to discuss and
deliberate on a particular planning issue. This type of workshop is often used to engage stakeholders in decision-making
processes and to explore different perspectives and options.

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Public Hearings And Online
Engagement
Some common types of public hearings include:
 Zoning Hearings: These hearings are held to receive feedback on proposed changes to zoning laws or regulations.
 Environmental Impact Hearings: These hearings are held to receive feedback on the potential environmental impacts of a
proposed project or development.
 Comprehensive Plan Hearings: These hearings are held to receive feedback on a comprehensive plan or master plan for a
particular area or region.
Some common types of online surveys include:
 Virtual Town Halls: Virtual town halls are online meetings that allow stakeholders to participate in the planning process from the
comfort of their own homes. They can be used to discuss a wide range of planning issues, and they often include presentations,
question-and-answer sessions, and interactive tools for engaging with stakeholders.
 Online Comment Forms: Online comment forms are a simple and effective way for stakeholders to provide feedback on
planning proposals or issues. Comment forms can be accessed through a planning department's website, and they allow
stakeholders to submit comments and feedback on specific proposals or plans.
 Social Media: Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are increasingly being used to engage with
stakeholders in the planning process. Social media can be used to share information about planning proposals and issues, as well
as to solicit feedback and opinions from stakeholders.

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