Theory And Practice Of Public Participation In Community Development Planning

The emerging community development planning is mainly based on the existing urban planning system, which is thought "elite design" within the circle of professional persons and government officials. The focus of community development planning is human or society rather than physical matters, and the planning should be initiated and developed from the roots of residential community. Therefore, public participation is such a mechanism which can link different social actors together.Under the existing institutional context of China, public participation in urban community affair remains in low level and only has symbolic meanings. Usually, scholars and urban planners are taking rational and ideal approaches when they are engaged in community planning. The limited public participation nowadays is somewhat experimental pushed by administrative power. The function of public participation is of formalities, such as information collecting and dispersing, rather than substantial as involving in decision-making process.The thesis reviews and evaluates the theories and practices of public participation both home and abroad in order to understand the essence and the methodology of public participation, analyzes the meaning, background and characteristic of community development planning, as well as the necessity and feasibility of public participation in community development planning, considering current socioeconomic status of the Country. Based on "A Ladder of Citizen Participation" by Sherry R.Arnstein, this thesis argues the framework of theory deduction of "propel participation", which is more relevant for urban communities of China. Correspondingly, the form of organization and detailed methods of public participation are suggested.In the case study of Shanghai Youyi Community Development Planning, the "propel participation" framework was applied. Based on the project, it concludes five elements and operational tactics essentials, which can ensure the validity of public participation in community development planning. The final conclusion refers to three crucial aspects: leadership of government, the form of organization and the participation mechanism.