Privatization, Participation, and the Planning Process: A Case Study of Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure

Abstract

Two broad models of planning inform public administrators and planners. One is a public management model in which involvement in decision making is on a “need-to-know ” basis, and public participation and input are viewed as forces to be overcome. It echoes the private sector practice of flexible specialization in that it relies on quick decision making and noninclusive planning to reduce intraorganizational conflict. The other is a participatory planning model that invites many stakeholders to discuss and debate aspects of pending decisions. Emphasis is frequently placed on stakeholder concerns and equity issues. Current efforts to restructure local government service delivery through privatization and contracting-out potentially privilege the public management model over the participatory model. The City of Indianapolis recently contracted its wastewater treatment operations and management to a private consortium using the public management model. This article links several recent and unintended outcomes in the Indianapolis case to the planning model used.