Participation in a Hostile State: How do Planners Act to Shape Public Engagement in Politically Difficult Environments?

摘要

This paper investigates planners' approaches to public participation in states that are generally hostile to public involvement in governance. Using case studies from South Africa and Egypt, I show how public participation is shaped by the way planners act as individuals with political values, working within the limited opportunities provided by politicized governance structures. Moreover, 'cultural' factors are also significant; that is, the prevailing political and social norms and expectations that structure both the governance context and planners' own values. I conclude that even in very hostile political settings there is still room for politically-inspired agency on the part of planners, and that training and education in participation should support this.