Public Participation in Housing Projects of Developing Countries: Capacities and Confines

摘要

Public participation has been identified as an effective driver in sustainable development of housing projects, especially in developing countries. In the success and failure of these housing projects public participation plays an important role. This research aims at understanding the process of participation, its advantages and limitations and more importantly the opinions of the dwellers on their participation in their housing projects. The author also aimed at observing the interrelationship of inclusion and exclusion of participation to the success/ failure of the housing development. The author adapted followed a method of `Field study' and conducted the filed study at 4 remote villages in India. Literature review of the multiple concepts and methods strengthened the theoretical framework of the research. Discussions with the villagers during the field study and onsite observations became the major data collection tool. The villagers highlighted the concerns regarding their Built environment and mentioned their views on the participatory methods. The study concluded on the public participation as an effective method by indicating the failing features of housing projects in the absence of the same. It suggested the role of architect to be important in organizing the process of participation in the form of community workshops/activities. The study recommended a model of participatory planning process that emphasizes the community workshops, role of architects and the role of community. According to the author, implementation of this model can help to identify and address the most pressing housing related needs of the villagers.