Building trust and engagement: The ups and downs of public participation.

Public participation, especially as it pertains to budgets and local level initiatives may be the answer to apathy, inequality and lack of sense of place. Reading through some of the literature and cases, it also seems to be a tough nut to crack despite its proven benefits. I love the idea of giving residents agency over the issues that affect their lives, but at the same time, there are important questions to address before implementing a robust participatory program. Read below and tell me what you think!

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Porto Alegre - Photo by setemaria on Unsplash

Even before the pandemic, trust in government institutions has been on the decline. For some people, questioning official information has moved beyond critical thinking, evolving into a deeper distrust of information coming from authoritative sources. Platforms like social media, where individuals share information, have added to the mix, offering varied and sometimes conflicting perspectives for the public. In this context, it's not surprising that trust in decision-making at the local government level is also fading. This creates challenges in gaining acceptance, involvement, and effectiveness for various projects designed for our communities. This blog explores the advantages and disadvantages of involving the public in urban planning projects.

The digital era, particularly the explosion of content on social media, has given us unprecedented access to information. In the past, information was controlled and distributed by institutions like news outlets and government bodies. Nowadays, people can access raw, unfiltered data. When this conflicts with official information, it's natural for people to begin questioning the motives and honesty behind the official narrative. What does this mean for our cities? Well, in some cases, it has resulted in people disconnecting from the process. Electoral participation rates have dropped significantly, raising doubts about the legitimacy of our democratic processes. It can also lead to public projects falling short of meeting community needs or aspirations.

Public Participation Pays Off: Porto Alegre's Success Story

Some communities, however, have chosen a more direct approach to decision-making, like the well-known case of Porto Alegre in Brazil. Since 1989, every year, up to 50 000 citizens have been directly involved in how and where their money is spent at the municipal level. Having been the first known attempt of its kind, this initiative, first implemented by the Workers Party, has seen many adaptations of the last quarter of a century.

Public participation in this manner brings clear benefits. In Porto Alegre's case, there's been noticeable improvement in citizen involvement and essential infrastructure like housing, sanitation, and education. These were neglected in the past. Additionally, studies show that citizens often prefer socially just, long-term projects over short-term economic fixes, which helps bridge social gaps and promotes equal opportunities.

Balancing Acts: Benefits and Drawbacks of Public Engagement

However, public participation also has significant drawbacks. If the participatory system lacks a strong legal foundation, it might easily be dismissed or scaled down by those in power with different ideologies. Questions also arise about who should take part and whose opinions carry more weight. Public servants, especially those specialized in planning and public works, can have reservations over deferring decision making responsibilities to a wider, generally less specialized populace.

Public Participation in action - Photo by Antenna on Unsplash

One thing is clear: involving the public in a meaningful way, going beyond mere tokenism, and granting genuine agency to citizens, can counter the trend of distrust in public institutions. It can enhance the quality and inclusivity of our neighborhoods, fostering a stronger sense of belonging among residents. The crucial aspect is for authorities to fully commit to this process and integrate it as a permanent part of public administration.

Further reading:

https://participedia.net/case/5524

https://tinyurl.com/hjev5afy

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2012.02.014

https://www.jstor.org/stable/24027631