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Chapter 6

Chapter 6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. STUDY OBJECTIVES. At the end of this chapter students will be expected to be able to: Identify and discuss the organisational structure in transport planning Explain what is meant by community participation Describe the concept of public participation

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Chapter 6

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  1. Chapter 6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

  2. STUDY OBJECTIVES At the end of this chapter students will be expected to be able to: • Identify and discuss the organisational structure in transport planning • Explain what is meant by community participation • Describe the concept of public participation • Understand the process of public participation

  3. Have insight into the important role of the public in transport planning • Outline the advantages of public participation in transport planning • Discuss the potential disadvantages involved in promoting public participation in the planning process

  4. Explain the requirements for effective public participation. • Discuss public participation as part of the democratic process and the planning process. • Discuss public participation as part of a structural administrative process.

  5. 6.1 INTRODUCTION 6.1.2 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE IN TRANSPORT PLANNING Essential elements of public participation which should form part of the study organisation statement (preparation plan) are as follows: • the identification of community organisations, representative bodies, official representatives, interest groups and individuals likely to become involved in transport issues;

  6. a statement of the desired level of public involvement in plan selection; and • an indication of the anticipated channels of communication between the public, the planning team and the decision makers,

  7. 6.1.3 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION • Community involvement means that the maximum number of affected people are in a position, or able, to influence decisions regarding their environment and ensure that planning is acceptable.

  8. 6.1.3 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION cont’ The functions of public participation are therefore: • To increase the individual’s control over his/her life and environment; • To facilitate collective decision making; • To improve the individual’s relationships with the community through integration; • To make decision making more effective and appropriate.

  9. 6. 1.4DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION • DEF - Public participation is the formal or informal involvement of the people at community level, either directly or indirectly affected, in issues that are normally the responsibility of a public authority. • This involves the stimulation, expression and collection of public opinion in an attempt to identify real needs and problems.

  10. 6. 1.4DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION cont’ • Stimulation to participate may be initiated by the public authorities, the community itself through the various interest groups, political parties or non-associated individuals. • Expression of opinion by the public can take place in various ways depending on the structures, channels or style adopted the general public to authorities. • the media, direct correspondence, workshops, meetings, through forums and gatherings.

  11. 6. 1.4DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION cont’ • Generally speaking, public participation may be accommodated in three ways: • ignored, • watered down or • accepted.

  12. 6. 1.4DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION cont’ • Persistent refusal to incorporate the wishes and preferences of the majority of the population or powerful pressure groups is likely to lead to indifference and distrust and even violent reaction to the authority. • E.G. Gauteng E-tag/Sanral/Government

  13. 6. 1.4DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION cont’ • Where real grievances or valuable inputs can be taken into account, the outcome is likely to be a compromise between the original proposal of the relevant authority and the public demands. • Public participation should take place at all the various stages in the government process. • Especially the: • Proposal (planning) stage and the • implementation stage.

  14. 6.2 THE PROCESS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 6.2.1 INTRODUCTION Problems could be experienced in public participation within these areas: • credibility: • political representation; • community relationships; • vested interests; cont’

  15. 6.2.1 INTRODUCTION cont’ • levels of planning; • communication; • resources and costs; • lack of information; and • identification of concerned public

  16. 6.2.1 INTRODUCTION cont’ • To prevent problems consultation and participation should consist of: • Public meetings; • Establishing community needs and priorities; • Problem identification; • Developing and discussing solutions; and • The report-back proceeds.

  17. 6.2.2 THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC • A project can only be implemented if the majority of the stakeholders/affected community supports the preferred solutions to the agreed transportation problem.

  18. Affected groups/individuals may include the following: • Residents • whose Property will be expropriated or devalued by the proposed implementation; • Businesses • whose trade could potentially be affected this could include informal traders such as hawkers;

  19. Road users • if a particular road or section of a road is to be closed; and • Transport operators • such as bus operators or the minibus-taxi industry.

  20. 6.3 THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF PUBLICPARTICIPATION IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING 6.3.1 ADVANTAGES • It will ensure that the planning of transportation projects includes the interests and preferences of the affected public: • It will promote the support of a proposal and thereby reduce opposition to the authority and its plans, as well as the administrative decision-making process;

  21. It will assist with the identification and assessment of the impacts the project will have on the physical, environmental and socio-economic structure of our society and the world we live in; • It could reduce costs by avoiding delays caused by unanticipated opposition, on issues such as compensation, and by encouraging the input of free information and advice;

  22. It reduces the likelihood of abuse of privileged positions and information related to public projects; • It eliminates the possibility of any serious misrepresentation of the public by officials; • It limits the presentation of final decisions to the public regarding issues not introduced at a sufficiently early stage in the project decision-taking process.

  23. 6.3.2 THE POTENTIAL DISADVANTAGES INVOLVED IN PROMOTINGPUBLIC PARTICIPATION • It complicates the issue; • Costs, including financial, manpower and time may often be increased; • The responsibility for the final decision may easily be taken away from the responsible authority;

  24. DISADVANTAGES of PUBLIC PARTICIPATION cont’ • Representation of sectional interests may influence National/Provincial government decision or policy; • There is difficulty in formulating an effective procedure for public involvement; • Pressure groups and sectional interests may dominate the public input and give an unrepresentative opinion;

  25. DISADVANTAGES of PUBLIC PARTICIPATION cont’ • It promotes the chances of premature speculation in property and other commercial fields; • It increases the risk of abuse of sensitive information for personal or own commercial gains. THE END

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