What are the major challenges for participatory planning?

Often, public involvement confronts intentional and unintentional consequences resulting from actions taken by planners and people with power. Those issues are an inherent part of the process and they do not mean failure or fault. On the contrary, they are opportunities for reflection and improvement. Potential countermeasures are discussed in the following segment. 

The discussion of this topic is based on the practicing experience of the authors, consultation with planners in the United States, and information from the Planning Sustainable Cities, Global Report on Human Settlements (UN-Habitat, 2009), and American Planning Association International Division’s Planifiquemos Project (APA ID, 2022). 

Power Imbalance. There are differences among socioeconomic groups, based on values, income, gender, ethnicity, education, disabilities, and social connections. Those differences may generate power imbalances in decision-making: some groups are more influential than others. Well-organized stakeholders may exert influence more effectively and have other channels to advance their interests. 

Planning as a tokenistic device. The planning process could be used for the sole purpose of legitimizing decisions. This describes a process where the public is given nominal opportunities to participate, but their inputs are selectively used or disregarded by those in power. Agencies can control who is to be consulted or invited. They can also give people a say in inconsequential decisions. The power to make decisions typically lies with locally elected politicians and can be manipulated by them. 

Outcomes are unpredictable. Outcomes from public participation may surprise planners and officials. Unexpected outcomes may throw the planning project into chaos, and frustration ensues. Unpredictability imposes risks in the eyes of developers and certain stakeholders, even those with good intent.  Even well-conducted public participation does not guarantee optimal outcomes for specific goals, such as equity and sustainability. 

Public opposition to achieving high-level goals. When a planning outcome has a direct and short-term impact, people are more likely to participate. While it helps identify stakeholders' needs and priorities, it can impose challenges to achieving higher-level goals which may have adverse effects on a few. (e.g. neighbors objecting to needed infrastructure)

Lack of interest in long-term planning. Long-range planning at the metropolitan or regional level may appear remote and irrelevant to citizens, and less likely to draw participants. Planners could be disproportionately influenced by business and interest groups, rather than individual citizens. The low participation rate is an issue for long-term planning. 

False expectations. Unlike zoning ordinances or budgeting/spending documents that are legal mandates,  plans often only offer guidance. Participants may be unaware of this and feel disappointed by how the plan is implemented if it is implemented. 

Cost of public participation. Participation takes time and resources. It may slow down decision-making and add to the cost of development.