Improve Public Participation Research Articles

Risk and Impacts Associated with Marine Carbon Sink Projects: An Example from Guangdong, China

He, Y.; Hu, Y.; Xie, S.; Li, C.; Xu, M., and Chen, X., 2023. Risk and impacts associated with marine carbon sink projects: An example from Guangdong, China. Journal of Coastal Research, 39(2), 246–256. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. This paper aims to measure the risk and impact of the marine carbon sink project in Guangdong, China. This measurement increases the investors' willingness to participate in development and operation of such projects, and promotes the transformation of a low-carbon economy and society. This research employs triangular fuzzy number and Structural Equation Model to develop the risk measurement model of the marine carbon sink project. The net present value and risk equivalent methods measure the impact of risk factors on the project value and investment decision of the representative project in China. The results showed that: (1) there are certain risks in developing marine carbon sequestration projects, including policy, natural, market, and human behavior risks. The comprehensive risk value is 0.444. (2) Among the different types of marine carbon sink risks, the large ones are those caused by storm surges, invasion of alien species, and unknown ownership of marine carbon sink. (3) The risk of marine carbon sequestration reduces the profitability of its projects. (4) Compared with the traditional net present value method, the risk equivalent method is more in line with the development and operation of marine carbon sink projects. Based on this, combined with the risk characteristics and potential factors of marine carbon sequestration projects, and to promote their sustainable development, this paper has the following suggestions: (1) Strengthen policy evaluation and regulation, and formulate policies and measures in line with the development stage of marine carbon sequestration trading. (2) Strengthen the early warning of natural disasters and formulate targeted disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief plans. (3) Strengthen the dynamic supervision of marine carbon sequestration transactions and formulate emergency plans for market transaction risks. (4) Improve public participation and establish a reward and punishment mechanism for human behavior risk prevention and control.

An Analysis of Improving Public Participation in Tax Payments with Emphasis on Citizenship Education (Case Study of General Tax Affairs Directorate of Tehran City West)

An Analysis of Improving Public Participation in Tax Payments with Emphasis on Citizenship Education (Case Study of General Tax Affairs Directorate of Tehran City West)

3D Interactive Visualization Scenario to Improve Public Participation in the Visual Comfort Assessment for the Pedestrian in Provincial Street, Malang, Indonesia

The visual comfort of pedestrians in the street corridor is essential to encourage a continuously satisfying experience of a visual aesthetic leading to a better quality of urban spaces, which is significant for making cityscape, especially in the streetscape. Valuable visual attributes of the pedestrian spaces are indicated by the presence of visual comfort for pedestrians as they pass through the pedestrian space. The creation of visual comfort in the pedestrian spaces also encourages positive spaces along the road corridor, generating an excellent space utilization, which eventually led to many positive appreciations of the space environment.Creating high-quality urban places triggers a more sustainable urban development by increasing pedestrian satisfaction in visual comfort through empowering public engagement in online decision-making system. Thus, public participatory is urgently needed to evaluate the spatial and visual comfort of provincial streetscapes. The disturbance of visual comfort for pedestrians often occurs in the main road corridors, especially the provincial streets in Malang, which has a strategic location for the expansion of commercial functions. This study evaluated a visual comfort of pedestrians in the provincial streets. It employed the 3D modeling method combined with the interactive simulation through the use of a multimedia authoring platform software to develop the 3D Interactive Visualization Scenario for online participation. The result of this study was the scenario of 3D visualization interactivity development to improve the effectiveness of the decision-making system in the assessment of pedestrian visual comfortalong the provincial street corridor.

A Proposed Theoretical Model to Improve Public Participation Towards Renewable Energy (RE) Development in Malaysia

A Proposed Theoretical Model to Improve Public Participation Towards Renewable Energy (RE) Development in Malaysia

Role of Political Education in Improving Public Participation in Election: The Case ofWest Sumatera Governor Election

This article describes the role of political education to improve public participation in the election of West Sumatra governor. The governor election is expected to be able to raise the level ofoptimism in order to improve the leadership qualities of local government, and the spirit of political education for citizen. This study applied descriptive qualitative method by using interviews and documentations as research instruments. Based on the documentation instrument, it showed the statistics of permanent voters who voted in the 2015 for governor election was 59.58% or 3,489,743 permanent voters. It was implied that 40.42% or 1,410,680 voters did not take their votes. This low level of public participation could be a sign that democracy has not effectively been implemented at the local level. The researchers concluded that the socialization activities of Governor election, as one of responsibilities of General Election Commission, have failed to increase the political awareness of the society.

Improving Public Participation Processes for the Floods Directive and Flood Awareness: Evidence from Cyprus

Public participation is integrated in the European Floods Directive to ensure engagement of societal actors in selecting and accepting measures. This study assesses the Directive’s public participation process and provides recommendations for its improvement by using Cyprus as a case study. Interviews with the organizers and attendees of the public consultations were carried out to evaluate the process while a citizen survey examined people’s flood awareness and opinions of three household-level flood protection measures (permeable pavements, rainwater harvesting systems, and green roofs). Public consultation organizers were generally satisfied with the process while participants suggested better structured information and a more participatory approach. The majority (77%) of the survey respondents did not know if they lived in a designated flood risk area while 93% were unaware of the public consultations carried out for the Floods Directive. Their perception about the effectiveness of the three flood protection measures was positively associated with their willingness to implement them. The results indicated the need for more participatory methods in the public participation process and better strategies to increase awareness and the engagement of people in flood management. Establishing procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of public participation could contribute to the recognition and improvement of the process.

공공갈등관리를 위한 주민참여제도 개선방안 연구

최근 ‘행정의 민주화’에 대한 요구가 높아지고 행정 전반의 개선 방향으로 ‘주민참여’가 논의되고 있음에도 불구하고, 우리 사회에서 발생하고 있는 공공갈등은 여전히 정부의 행정편의적인 정책추진에 기인하고 있는 경우가 많다. 공공갈등의 예방과 주민참여제도의 구축은 수레의 앞‧뒷바퀴에 해당하는 것으로, 공공정책의 사회적 수용성 확보를 위하여서는 주민들의 실질적인 의견 반영을 보장하는 주민참여절차의 확립이 필수적이라고 할 수 있다. 그러나 공공갈등이 발생할 가능성이 큰 대규모 국책사업이나 환경관리시설의 설치 등에 적용되는 현행 법령을 검토한 결과, 행정절차법은 공공갈등이 가장 많이 발생하고 있는 행정절차인 행정계획의 수립 및 확정절차를 그 규율 대상에서 배제하고 있으며, 토지이용계획 및 환경정책의 수립 및 추진에 관한 우리나라의 법제는 형식적으로 관련 정보를 제공하고, 한정된 범위의 주민들로부터 수동적으로 의견을 수렴하는 절차만을 마련하여 놓고 있는 상황이다. 또한 공공갈등관리를 목적으로 제정된 공공기관의 갈등 예방과 해결에 관한 규정은 공공갈등의 예방을 위하여 실시하도록 하고 있는 갈등영향분석 이외에 구체적인 주민참여제도를 규정하지 않고 있다. 이러한 법령에 기초한 행정절차가 정보화, 세계화, 다원화 등의 사회변화로 정보습득 능력이 뛰어나고 권리 의식이 높아진 우리나라 국민들에게 만족스럽지 못한 것은 너무나 당연한 현실이다. 주민이 정부와 수평적 관계에서 적극적으로 정책대안의 마련 및 집행 과정에 참여하여 정부와 실질적으로 협력할 수 있는 기회가 보장될 수 있도록, 본 논문은 현행 공공기관의 갈등 예방과 해결에 관한 규정상의 갈등영향분석을 공공갈등이 발생할 여지가 있는 행정계획 및 공공사업의 구상단계에 도입하여 사안별로 적절한 주민참여절차를 설계하고 진행할 수 있도록 하는 제도를 구축할 것을 제안한다.

Improving Public Participation to Achieve Environmental Justice: Applying Lessons from Freight's Frontline Communities

Public participation, sometimes referred to as public involvement or engagement, is often a mandated process in agency-led environmental and land use planning with major implications for environmental justice. Theoretically and in practice, quantity and quality of these public participation activities remain variable in the United States. This article reports on residents' experiences in two distinct frontline communities, those living near the proposed New International Trade Crossing in Detroit, Michigan and the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California. Recent studies suggest that persons of color and low-income are disproportionately exposed to air and noise pollution from heavy-duty engines at freight gateways (e.g., ports, borders). Synthesizing findings from qualitative interviews with community members and leaders, content analysis of environmental assessments, and observations at public events, we describe recent freight land use deliberations, as well as public participation experiences, catalysts, and barriers during these deliberations in the two study communities. Drawing directly on perspectives of community members and leaders as public participants, we report how agency-led public participation opportunities, while extensive, may be experienced as confusing, perfunctory, discriminatory, and burdensome. Further, public participation generally entails intensive community organizing efforts and can become a source of chronic stress for active residents of frontline communities— many who have been historically and repeatedly marginalized during land use planning and by its outcomes. We conclude by reconsidering theoretical frameworks, and offering concrete strategies for decision makers in a variety of sectors, such as transportation, housing, planning, and public health, to improve procedural justice and promote environmental justice.

Using 3D Visualisation to Improve Public Participation in Sustainable Planning Process: Experiences through the Creation of Koh Mudsum Plan, Thailand

Abstract Efficient public participation can help government officials and planners to achieve better planning alternatives. In Thailand, it is becoming increasingly important to local government to increase public participation in planning process. However, involving the public is always problematic and low-level participation still occurs in most planning activities. In this paper, we argue that in most cases, public lacks sufficient knowledge about the qualities of place, problems, and potential solutions is the main barrier for meaningful involvement. Thus more effective tools are required to clearly display local planning proposals and their consequences. The paper demonstrates the use of three-dimensional (3D) models to improve the public participation in planning process of the specific plan for Koh Mudsum, an island near Koh Samui. With the 3D modelling concept, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) were used to simulate three dimensions of site conditions. Different planning alternatives were displayed in 3D that allowed participants to compare proposals and consequences for the visual environment. Through the public participation process, it found that providing information about the site conditions and plan using 3D models can improve the public knowledge and help them understand the proposed land- use plan and its impacts. It is likely that using 3D models can make the planning process more transparent for all involved parties especially for participants without any training in interpreting planning map.

An assessment of Public Participation GIS and Web 2.0 technologies in urban planning practice in Canela, Brazil

Recent advances in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Web 2.0 technologies provide new ways of creating sophisticated Web applications that strengthen social interactions based on comments on online maps, which have the potential to improve Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) practices. In this paper, we address this promising approach to analyze the impact of collaborative Web 2.0 tools applied to PPGIS applications in urban planning actions. We develop a Web 2.0 PPGIS application through free, easy-to-use tools, which consist of a Web mapping service, with eligible geospatial data layers, where users explore and comment. A database stores the contributions in a format supported by GIS. We also set up a prototype version in Canela (Brazil), to test its usability. The results showed that it is a valuable approach for engaging the public. It could promote communication among users and decision makers in a more interactive and straightforward way. Besides, it is easy to set up and understandable by non-experts. The Web 2.0 PPGIS may serve as a social tool for any spatially-related issue involving community members in any context.

Improving Public Participation in Resource Protection: Case Studies in North-Central Idaho

Public involvement in resource protection is necessary for many resource entities and initiatives, yet public response is often confrontational, apathetic or non-existent. An alternative process that promotes greater ownership and involvement in planning was offered to participants within the existing state water protection planning guidelines leading to state plan certification. Four rural, traditionally independent north-central Idaho communities located within an Indian Reservation participated in a water protection planning study. Case studies suggest willingness and preference on the part of communities to use government data, technical expertise and recommendations when given control of the planning process. This work provides new information on improving community involvement within existing regulatory frameworks.

Using Virtual Environment Technology to Improve Public Participation in Urban Planning Process

This paper explores the use of virtual environment (VE) technology in urban planning. The case we select is that of public engagement with the process of government, which in its traditional form suffers from several limitations. A three-dimensional (3D) cityscape environment has been implemented, where people can observe planning changes, access information, and comment on proposed designs. Our research focuses on the mechanisms of interaction inside this environment. We propose that VE technology will facilitate and improve useful engagement by the public in the planning processes, unlike the traditional consultation process. In order to test our hypothesis, we have built a VE city model. Early results have shown that the model was suitable for general public use, in terms of technological availability and usability. This paper presents results of experiments undertaken with the general public and urban planning professionals to judge their motivation in using this technology as a way to facilitate public consultation in the planning changes.

Beyond the Requirements: Improving Public Participation in EIA

Virtually every environmental planner at some time deals with environmental impact assessment (EIA). Public participation is required in most environmental impact assessment programmesaround the world. However, citizen involvement is often reduced to a procedural exercise instead of a substantive process to include the public in environmental decision making. This paper examines public participation in EIA and provides ways to improve its effectiveness. We first examine the rationales for public involvement and its institutionalization through EIA. Next, we analyse the shortcomings and strengths of common approaches to public involvement. Our analysis, supported by two case studies, suggests that going beyond the minimum requirements can benefit the public, the project proponent and the final plan. We conclude with practical steps to improve public participation programmes in environmental planning and decision making.

Judgment Analysis in Policy Formation: A New Method for Improving Public Participation

IN recent years the public has made increased demands both for more information from its policy makers and for more impact on the policy making process. Although the public can acquire far more information than ever before as a result of newly enacted sunshine laws and freedom of information laws, the public's impact on policy formation remains restricted because of the limitations in conventional methods of communication between citizens and public officials. For example, although the outcomes of referenda and elections are always clear, the underlying reasons for overt agreement or disagreement in citizens' votes are often quite obscure. The use of opinion polls as a means of more precise public communication is severely limited since issues are usually treated in isolation, rarely providing an opportunity to evaluate their relative importance or to confront the complex tradeoffs among public and private objectives. Another form of communication between citizens and public officials,

Commentary: Applied Social Research Can Improve Public Participation in Resource Decision Making. George H. Stankey, John C. Hendee, and Roger N. Clark. Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Missoula, Montana. 1975. 8p. Free

Commentary: Applied Social Research Can Improve Public Participation in Resource Decision Making. George H. Stankey, John C. Hendee, and Roger N. Clark. Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Missoula, Montana. 1975. 8p. Free