Structural Equation Models for Building Awareness and Acceptance of Public Participation in Thailand’s Comprehensive Urban Planning Procedures

Abstract

A comprehensive planning procedure is the key for urban development. It is considered as a highly concrete approach to enable the enforcement of a comprehensive urban plan, which indicates the future direction of urban development. This study aims to develop Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to build perception and acceptance in civic society to participate in the comprehensive planning procedure of the SEM technique. Factors were identified that affect the perception and acceptance of public participation in urban planning procedures. The Baan Bueng District of Chonburi Province and the Khok Toom Community in Lopburi Province were selected as case studies because these areas were operating with comprehensive planning procedures at the time of the study. The study argued that planning model combines with participatory approach plays an important role in filling this gap. This method of planning procedures will need to be adapted with existing factors and influences in urban setting. A literature review of these factors was conducted to explain the empirical results that indicated most people lacked a knowledge and access to the information of urban planning to prepare for participation process. This study focuses on those residents who receive information or attitude to accept on a comprehensive urban planning procedures, which SEM is an instrument for analyzing development process in their areas and to participate in a comprehensive plan. From a preliminary analysis of the social-economic group with participation factors. The results showed that there is contras variation in negative with attitudes and accept of the urban planning procedures. In principle of a statistically significant result considering from the group’s participants in the planning procedures. The Respondents are volunteer group of community and elderly group, who had less education and unstable career prepared to the working group did not participate in any activities. Hence, people participation is the key in development of urban planning procedures, which stakeholders must participate in order to accept in the urban planning process. This forms of participation process in currently process is currently in progress, is considered at the first stages of participation concept and most abstract, affect in lower perception and acknowledgement of participation. In performing the many tasks required in this process the planning procedure is costly both in terms of processing time and budget. Local administrative agencies still need concrete decision-making tools and measures to overcome difficulties and obstacles.