Czekay, Jannika (2021) Citizen participation: Analysing expectations and intentions during the participatory process of an urban regeneration project in Potsdam, Germany. Master thesis.
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Abstract
Involving local stakeholders in decision-making processes is thought to represent interests more evenly, increasing the overall legitimacy of a policy process and potentially even empowering citizens. Opposing views have been criticising participation’s limited impact, as well as the creation of power differences and exclusion of marginal groups. This study aims to shed light on this polarisation. Specifically, it investigates how planners’ intentions and participants’ expectations develop and how they are met in reality. A qualitative single case-study analysis of a participation process during an urban regeneration process in Potsdam, Germany, was carried out. The chosen case is of relevance as it is seen as a showcase project. Analysing planning documents (n=6) provided data regarding planners’ intentions, whereas semi-structured interviews (n=8) provided more personal insights into the planners’ intentions, as well as the citizens’ expectations. Results obtained highlight that residents’ expectations were limited, possibly due to high initial opposition. The planners aimed for the project to progress as quickly as possible while simultaneously increasing people’s acceptance. This was only met to some extent, as acceptance only slowly increased and conflict and delay were not avoided. The findings suggest that full empowerment of the citizens was not achieved and that it remains questionable if citizens should receive full power over a project. When participation and initiative are low, top-down planning ensures that the place is regenerated to its fullest potential. Citizens should nevertheless be given the opportunity to voice their opinion.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Dijk, T. van |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Jul 2021 11:54 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Jul 2021 11:54 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3603 |
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