What are the major challenges for participatory planning?

When facing the frustrations of public participation, it is important to recognize that “in a strong democracy, people- citizens- govern themselves to the greatest extent possible, rather than delegate their power and responsibility to representatives acting in their names,” (Herman Daly, 2000). Therefore, improving public participation improves democracy. 

Problems with public involvement can inhibit the planning process and these problems often underscore the challenges of engaging the public in a democracy. This section describes strategies that could mitigate the challenges discussed above in Section 4.1.

Provide multiple channels for the public to become involved. 

Different stakeholders may have different preferences in communication; some may feel more comfortable writing formal comments, some may prefer using social media, and others may want to express their opinion through an open conversation in public meetings. Other factors to consider include preferences for different formats, languages, meeting locations, and/or meeting times. 

Ensure a mechanism to take into account minority, disadvantaged, and underrepresented groups. 

This entails deliberate efforts to include those groups in the planning process and to help them identify and advance their interests. This requires proactive approaches taken by Planners should be proactive in reaching out, assisting, and sometimes advocating on behalf of those groups. Planners should ask who is missing from the process, who is speaking, whose voice is unheard, and who is silent but should not be ignored. 

Empower the public with knowledge. 

In addition to the specific details of a project, knowledge of the planning process itself needs to be shared. This includes sharing how the public’s voice will be considered and documented, how decisions will be made, and how plans can be amended or challenged. 

Clearly document the process. 

Documenting public participation and its outcome helps to ensure a transparent and accountable planning process. It is understandable that the scope of public participation may be limited due to the constraints of budget and staff capacity. If a planning process is tokenistic, then this should at least be documented. Even a tokenistic process has its value- when adequately documented, it provides insights to improve this issue in the future and details how this decision was made.

Deliberately identify who benefits and who is harmed (APA Memo by Kyle Ezell, EdD, FAICP). 

Evaluate the impact of decisions on people. How will they be affected financially, physically, culturally, and psychologically? Planners should make special efforts to reach out to the population that may be negatively impacted and develops strategies to avoid, mitigate, and compensate for the harm. If the harm is inevitable, the rationales should be unambiguously documented. 

Safeguard vulnerable goals. 

Planners should keep eyes on the goals that may get lost when special interest groups have disproportionate voices and influence. Equity, sustainability, and public health are often among the factors that need special attention. Planners' recommendations are a balance of short-term interest with long-term interest and between local interest and overall interest. 

Convey that even small projects matter. 

Neighborhood-level projects may be more attractive to local residents. A positive experience can build trust between local residents and the government. Through such participation, residents can also learn more about planning and urban issues and may then participate in larger projects at the city or regional level. 

Acknowledge the limitations of planning.

The nature of a project should be clearly communicated to the public, including its function, authority, budgeting, prioritization method, and implementation. When applicable, its relation to other regulations and plans should be clarified. Then even if substantial progress is not achieved, the community is still moving forward or is set up for larger advances in the future.