1. Department of Geography and Human Environment
Public Participation as a Tool for Integrating Local Knowledge into Planning Deliverables
TAL BERMAN, PhD
Department of Geography and Human Environment
Tel-Aviv University
Israel

2. PP as a tool for
integrating local
knowledge into
plans
Public Participation
Public participation relates to involving the public in urban and regional planning
The goals of public participation are to capture residents’ local knowledge and enable its incorporation into the planning decision-making processes, in order to improve the planning deliverables.

3. PP as a tool for
integrating local
knowledge into
plans
Local knowledge
Local knowledge is the individual and communal knowledge of residents. It represnts the perspective of local people who could be affected by plans
Local knowledge relates to a broad conceptual system that includes perceptions, opinions, desires, spatial conducts, cultural codes, needs – all of which are rooted in the locals' everyday reality

4. The Importance of Local Knowledge
PP as a tool for
integrating local
knowledge into
plans
The Importance of Local Knowledge
Understanding the local knowledge system enables planning the locals’ living environments in such a way as to suit their everyday reality and improve their quality of life
Integration of local knowledge into the planning processes produces planning deliverables that better suit community needs and preferences

5. The assumption and the question
PP as a tool for
integrating local
knowledge into
plans
The assumption and the question
ASSUMPTION
Local knowledge is vital for generating better planning and decision-making processes
QUESTION
To what extent do various methods of public participation enable extracting of local knowledge and incorporating it into planning deliverables?

6. Methods of Public Participation PP as a tool for integrating local
knowledge into
plans
Methods of
Public Participation
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parameter Unilateral Collaborative
participatory method participatory method
Facilitator Authorities / jurisdictions Individuals / residents _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Configuration Top-down Bottom-up
Stakeholders Two: jurisdiction Several: inhabitants,
& residents planning professionals, environmentalists, NGOs _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Procedures Public hearings, Interactive dialoque,
structured questionaire, deliberative discussion
SWOT analysis

7. Revealing / Extracting Local Knowledge
PP as a tool for
integrating local
knowledge into
plans
Revealing / Extracting
Local Knowledge
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parameter Unilateral Collaborative participatory method participatory method
Communication
Between participants
Social capital
Broad scope of
local knowledge
Various types of
Local knowledge
Detailed, significant,
Consolidated and
well-argued local knowledge
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Processing Local Knowledge PP as a tool for integrating local
knowledge into
plans
Processing
Local Knowledge
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parameter Unilateral Collaborative participatory method participatory method
Participation of
Planning professionals
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reciprocity between local
And professional knowledge
Planning knowledge amassed
Alternatives plans and
Professional advice
Consensus about the
Planning knowledge
formulated
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Incorporating local knowledge into plans
PP as a tool for
integrating local
knowledge into
plans
Incorporating local knowledge into plans
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parameter Unilateral Collaborative participatory method participatory method
Political power
amassed
Residents become a
Central stakeholder
Harnessing stakeholders, e.g.,
City, planning boards, developers
Negotiating with stakeholders
Incorporating significant part
Of the local knowledge into plans
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. PP as a tool for
integrating local
knowledge into
plans
Research Conclusions
While the unilateral method failed at exposing local knowledge, the collaborative method succeeded at exposing local knowledge and incorporating it into planning deliverables, including statutory plans.
The dichotomy between unilateral and collaborative approaches of public participation in planning corresponds with Arnstein’s (1969, p. 216) claim: “There is a critical difference between going through the empty ritual of participation
and having real power”

11. Operative Conclusions
PP as a tool for
integrating local
knowledge into
plans
Operative Conclusions
It is recommended to encourage residents to initiate collaborative grassroots participation processes
Unilateral procedures should be refined by integrating collaborative elements and components, such as: flexible and open networks; empathic interaction; multi-directional, ongoing, and continuous communication; unmediated interaction and free deliberation between residents
and planning professionals