Informal Participation Research Articles

Informal participation in digital planning: How can third parties use social media to shift power relations in planning?

In recent years, social media has become an influential tool for engaging various participants and facilitating inclusivity in digital planning. While many studies highlight local governments' use of social media for formal participation, limited research assesses its impact on power dynamics in informal participation. This study aims to fill the gap by identifying key features of social media that facilitate informal participation and applying Castells' four forms of network power to understand power dynamics among civil society, journalism, citizens, and governments in planning processes. It also develops a novel mixed-methods approach that combines social media scraping, social network analysis (SNA), semi-structured interviews, and field observation. This approach is applied to investigate the Enning Road regeneration project in Guangzhou as a case study. Analyzing data from China's Weibo, the study reveals network disputes across three dimensions: graph, community, and network statistics. Hyperlink-Induced Topic Search (HITS) and community detection results suggest that civil society and journalism have substantial networked power as they strategically utilize social media to promote collaboration, mobilize citizens, and foster communities. They also excise network-making power by switching online and offline networks, thereby transmitting online debate to a wide range of audiences and compelling local governments to shift planning priorities from demolitions to preservation.

20-Year trends in the social participation of the oldest old.

To investigate 20-year trends in social participation among the oldest old (77+ years) in Sweden and assess the extent to which changes in educational attainment and functional abilities explain these trends. Seven waves of the Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old (SWEOLD) spanning 2002-2021 were used with a repeated cross-sectional design. To analyse the association between time and social participation we employed the Karlson-Holm-Breen method of decomposition. The study focused on informal social participation (contact with friends and family), leisure participation (public or semi-public gatherings), and formal participation (organisational engagement and study circle attendance). Both leisure and informal participation peaked in 2014 and declined in 2021, influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas formal participation showed a slight increase in 2021. Total participation increased at least until 2011. Overall, older adults have increased their levels of social participation in recent decades, disregarding the influence of the pandemic. Decomposition analysis revealed that population-level changes in educational attainment and functional abilities explained a substantial portion of the observed trends. As the proportion of older adults continues to rise, it becomes increasingly important to understand the developments and drivers of behavioural change in the older population. As more people are socially active, there may be increasing differences between those participating and those not - which could lead to increased inequalities. The observed trend in increasing participation, influenced by changes in education and health, emphasises the importance of fostering age-friendly environments and addressing potential social inequalities among older adults.

SPECIFICITY OF MOTIVATION OF POPULATION PARTICIPATION IN IMPROVEMENT OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

The activity of the population in improving the urban environment is an important intangible resource for the formation of urban space. The active participation of the population in decision-making on the transformation of the territory is the key to the effectiveness of coordination of opinions between citizens and city authorities, which minimizes conflicts of interest and becomes the basis for social security and reduces the risk of protest sentiments. An important component for developing mechanisms for involving citizens in improvement practices is a detailed analysis of the motivation for the participation of current activists. The article examines two forms of participation in the improvement of the urban environment and, accordingly, two groups of activists: formal participation in the activities of territorial public self-government bodies and informal participation in the improvement of a house or yard. The theoretical and methodological basis for the study of social participation was the work of E.S. Azarova, M.S. Yanitsky, Kh.K. Anheier, L.M. Salamon, M.V. Nikonova and V.N. Stegniy. Idealistic, personal growth, expansion of social contacts, and compensatory motives are taken as basic. As an empirical basis, we used data from a survey of the population of the city of Cherepovets and the results of in-depth and expert interviews with representatives of the bodies of the TOS “Zarechny” in the city of Cherepovets and activists of this microdistrict. Based on the results of the study, it was proven that the significant incentives of activists taking part informally are focused on interaction, on the sphere of common interests, the motivation is solving problems of society, communication, and changing the surrounding space. The leading motives in the structure of motivation of TOS employees, with also quite pronounced idealistic motives, are significantly focused on the manifestation of personal initiative and are determined by the desire for self-realization.

Does Political Trust Matter? A Meta-analysis on the Consequences of Trust

AbstractPolitical trust has long been seen as fundamental for societal cooperation and democratic legitimacy. However, evidence about its consequences are partial and fragmented, and we do not currently have a systematic understanding of whether political trust warrants such vast attention. This paper conducts a systematic review and meta-analysis of 61 studies reporting 329 coefficients derived from over three and a half million observations globally. After synthesising the conceptual and theoretical frameworks in the extant literature, the meta-analysis results show that trust is weakly to moderately related to outcomes as diverse as voter turnout, vote choice, policy preferences and compliance, but is unrelated to informal participation. These results are robust to a range of considerations such as the measurement of trust, modelling strategy, region of study, publication bias, and design of the study. The review also highlights substantial geographical and methodological gaps, particularly the reliance on cross-sectional designs. Substantively, the results show that trust is importantly and robustly related to what people want from their political systems and how they interact with it. By systematically analysing the extant research, the paper provides a robust, systematic, and empirical foundation to advance research on political trust.

Acceptance of AgriVoltaics - A Multi-Stakeholder Survey for a German AgriVoltaic System in Fruit Farming

Public perception of Agri-PV cannot be reliably assessed at this time, in part because the agricultural context and appearance of each Agri-PV system varies widely. Therefore, within the research project "Agri-PV Fruit Growing", a social impact analysis of Agri-PV in a fruit growing region (predominantly apple growing) was carried out in May 2021 and interviews with local social representatives with public functions (multi-stakeholder approach) were conducted. The goal of the survey, which took place in parallel to the implementation of a pilot Agri-PV plant, was to get detailed insights to acceptance factors among the relevant stakeholder groups. As well, the implications regarding communication and informal participation in future Agri-PV plants will be elaborated.

Faecal Sludge Management Practices in Uganda: Challenges and Opportunities

In the global sanitation challenges over the years, sustainable faecal sludge (FS) management has always featured siting Sub-Saharan Africa and developing countries as the most affected. FS is currently being managed through conventional treatment plants, where it goes through a series of stages which include primary and secondary filters, sedimentation tanks, biological trickling filters, and secondary sedimentation tanks before being released into wetlands. While in wetlands it undergoes further biological filtration to remove heavy metals and the remaining nutrients. In Uganda, this system has been used since the 1970s. However, it has faced various challenges, mostly due to the rapidly growing population, poor quality of FS, low FS collection efficiency due to inaccessibility in slum areas, and the long distances moved by trucks to access the treatment plants. The objective of this review is to highlight the gaps in existing FS management practices, the level of involvement of the different stakeholders and their roles. It also highlights the existing policies, and institutional frameworks with challenges and business opportunities that can be harnessed from FS. The study employed a systematic review of literature through identifying, assessing and synthesizing relevant articles. The findings indicate gaps in government partnerships with private sector and academic institutions. Furthermore, there is increased informal participation of private sector in FSM, knowledge gaps among the public concerning FSM services. In conclusion, the government needs to strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders in the FSM sector as well as increase community sensitization about FSM management.

Students with Special Needs and Their Parents – Informal Participation of a Parent in the Education of an Adult Child

The article presents the issue of participation of adult students’ parents in their academic life. There are many examples in the literature of how important is the support of students’ with disabilities parents at the universites. This determines academic success. Disability (its depth, type, cause, limitations resulting from it) is a determining factor for independence, and consequently for the parent’s participation in the student’s academic life. The parent’s attitude towards their own child’s disability is also related to the parent’s participation in the study. The main questions of presented research is: how do students, parents and university staff see the participation of parents in their adult chilredn higher education? This study was qualitative in nature and the individual in-depth interviews were conducted in the course of the study. Two female students with disabilities and their mothers, as well as a member of staff from the one of Polish university’s disability office, were invited to participate in the study. The results show that students, parents and university’s staff can present different opinions about parental suport. The fact is that parental participation cannot be permanent. Each time this type of support should be considered on an individual basis, with particular regard to the welfare of the the student. The results of the survey are relevant to the university’s process of planning support for students with disabilities so as to work with parents with the students’ consent.

Socio-Demographic Correlates of of Social Disorganization and Neighborhood Quality

The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between socio-demographic variables of the respondents and the perception of social disorganization related to housing conditions and the quality of the neighborhood. The research was conducted in December 2022 on a sample of 102 respondents (49 male and 53 female), average age 43. The following scales and questionnaires were applied: Sociodemographic Variables Questionnaire, Social Organization Inventory and Social Perception Scale. The results of the research showed that socio-demographic variables have influence on the perception of social disorganization and neighborhood quality. It was found that there is a statistically significant positive association with the social disorganization variable in the direction of the impact of tenants on the quality of collective living, emotional ties of tenants, the need to fulfill requests, neighborhood stability and informal control. The data indicate that all individual items of the subtest of the neighborhood variable showed a statistically significant positive association with tenants' external connections, with institutions related to the quality of housing, pro-social norms of collective housing, basic participation of tenants in skyscraper activities, informal participation of tenants in skyscraper activities and formal participation of tenants in skyscraper activities. Factor analysis revealed three dominant factors: involvement of tenants in activities of common interest, connection and assistance among tenants, and opportunities to improve living conditions for all tenants by engaging in the local community. The obtained results suggest positive attitudes related to housing values that arise from social organization and neighborhood quality. The paper is concluded with recommendations for future research and directions.

Fostering small urban green spaces: Public–private partnerships as a synergistic approach to forming new public life in Taipei City

This article investigates the production of small green spaces through public–private partnerships in Taipei, focussing on spatial and social aspects in the context of infrastructure studies. Infrastructure is deeply intertwined with everyday life; although it is not always noticed, it is integrated with various social and structural systems. The densely populated city of Taipei in East Asia relies heavily on green spaces of all types for public life, with small green spaces particularly essential for urban dwellers. This research aims to clarify the relationship between small green spaces and the daily life that takes place within green urban governance. Additionally, it examines how they are connected through the appropriation of both formal public spaces and informal participation. By researching 14 small green spaces produced by public–private partnerships in Taipei, this article analyses both spatial and social dimensions. This includes investigating aspects such as time, space, land use, and the diverse range of experiences that occur within small green spaces. The findings indicate that small green spaces reflect the multifaceted groupings of urban infrastructure, serving as ecological and social complements to larger infrastructural elements. Public–private partnerships, particularly in Taipei City, which has faced unforeseen problems such as epidemics and rapid expansion, provide increased flexibility and social benefits that extend beyond the physical boundaries of the spaces.

From the public to the private: mapping women’s formal and informal participation in peacebuilding in Mali

Abstract How do women navigate traditional and informal governance structures to influence matters of communal peace and security? We leverage focus group discussions with around 180 participants and 10 key informant interviews from five different villages in the Ségou region to provide a case study of women’s contributions to peacebuilding in Central Mali. Our research aims to understand which women are able to influence communal dynamics regarding peace and security in Mali and assess which identities and relationships women leverage as they seek to influence these dynamics. One of our key findings underscores the obvious: women are not a homogenous demographic; other facets of their identity shape what roles they can play in conflict management and what appeals they can make in doing so. We find compelling evidence that women’s age, lineage, and their position in the home affect their degree of influence. We find that women are adept at leveraging customary governance mechanisms and their interpersonal networks to exercise influence. Overall, our findings point to the importance of an intersectional analysis, as well as a focus on informal and customary avenues of influence when considering women’s involvement in matters of communal peace and security.

Specificity of Motivation of the Main Forms of Social Participation of the Population

Relevance. In accordance with the postmodern approach, the main driving force of social change and development are the most active segments of the population, social actors. The level of activity of the population can be measured by the number of practices of its social participation, which can be divided into the following forms: formal participation in organizations, informal assistance and helping behavior. To stimulate social activity, it is necessary to study the motivation for social participation of the most active segments of the population.The purpose is reveal the essence of the motivation of social participation of the population.Objectives: measure and analyze the severity of the main practices of social participation based on the results of an empirical study; determine the determining motives for different forms of social participation.Methodology. The empirical basis of the study was a survey of residents of the city of Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, conducted in April 2022. Results. Practices of social participation are unevenly represented in its various forms. Practices of formal participation are underdeveloped. Involved in these practices, as a rule, they are motivated for themselves, selfdevelopment, gaining new experience, knowledge, personal success, career. The practices of informal participation are more widely developed, which are most concentrated in the improvement of the urban environment, charity, and volunteer activities. The motives for changing the environment, altruistic help to people and motives for personal development are combined. The most developed practices of helping behavior, where the main motive is altruism, the desire to help others.Conclusions. The motivation for social participation has a complex multicomponent structure. The dominant motive of participation, as a rule, goes in conjunction with two or three motives from different types of motivation. The motivation of different forms of social participation differs significantly.

Trajectories of Informal and Formal Social Participation After Retirement

Abstract Literature suggests that on average, social participation declines after retirement. However, there likely remains substantial variability in individual experiences. We rely on seven waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging to identify contrasting social participation trajectories of individuals 45 years and older after leaving work, and their individual-level correlates. Informal and formal social participation were measured through self-reported frequencies of meeting a friend and attending a group respectively. Group-based trajectory modeling delineated heterogeneous changes over time and multinomial logit regressions estimated individual-level correlates of the trajectories. While a minority of respondents experienced trajectories of decreasing social participation (6%–12%), a majority exhibited stable trajectories (79%–81%), and some even experienced increasing participation (7%–8%). There was also a U-shaped trajectory of decline and recovery in formal social participation (7%). Our findings challenge the belief that disengagement is the norm and illustrate the heterogeneous experiences of social participation after retirement. Returning to work, vs. stopping work for an extended period, was associated with favorable trajectories, pointing to the strong connection between work and social participation, and the potential for interventions that promote bridge employment and lifelong learning. Interestingly, the high stable trajectory of informal participation was associated with certain factors that may be considered vulnerabilities, such as being older, female, single, living in non-metropolitan regions, and retiring from irregular work. This highlights the possibility that despite facing challenges, older adults can aspire towards high social participation.

Territorial identity of the population as a factor an consequence of social participation

The main objective of the article is to demonstrate the correlation between the lev el of territorial identity of the population and the development of social participation practices. The theory and methodology of the study is based on the works of foreign scientists T. Banini, R. Capello, U. Panzer, who prove the pronounced active position of the population with a high level of territorial identity, and on the concept of “the right to the city” by H. Lefebvre, presented in Russian realities in the works by I.A. Skalaban, E.S. Kochukhova, V.S. Martyanova, E. A. Terentyeva. The main hypothesis of the study: the population with a high level of territorial identity declares its “right to the city” through the practices of social participation, that are manifested mostly in the field of urban space planning, inclusion in the practices of participatory management. In turn, practices of social participation at the local level strengthen territorial identity and boost formation of the attachment to the place of residence. Information collection method: mass survey of the population of the city of Cherepovets, Vologda Region, based on a quota sampling of the population over 18 years old according to the gender and age structure of the city. According to the results of an empirical study, it was proved that the population with a higher level of territorial identity has a significantly greater presence of informal participation practices, especially those related to the transformation of urban space. The practices of helping behaviour are most clearly expressed and the involvement in the activities of public city organisations is more common. It was proved with the help of dispersion analysis that population groups with different levels of social participation practices statistically differ in terms of the level of territorial identity.

Regime-supporting or regime-challenging? Chinese secondary students’ intentions for future political participation

This study explores Chinese secondary students’ intentions for future political participation drawing on samples of students from Mainland China and Hong Kong. Political participation examined in this study includes both conventional participation (legal protest, electoral participation and informal participation) and unconventional participation (illegal protest). Previous studies of adolescents’ political participation intentions have mainly been concerned with democratic regimes while this study focuses on authoritarian and hybrid regimes, such as those in Mainland China and Hong Kong. Adopting a comparative and quantitative methodology, this study utilized secondary data analysis with large samples. This study found that students from both societies showed a weak endorsement of illegal protest but a strong endorsement of all three types of conventional participation. Mainland Chinese students demonstrated a stronger endorsement of conventional participation than their Hong Kong counterparts. To understand inner-group difference, students were clustered into four groups (Alienated-Radical Participators, Supportive-Active Participators, Loyal-Minimal Participators and Critical-Active Participators) based on their political attitudes (political trust and political efficacy) and intentions for future political participation. Results suggest that Hong Kong had more Alienated-Radical Participators while Mainland China had more Supportive-Active Participators. In general, Mainland Chinese students were more regime-supporting and Hong Kong students were more regime-challenging.

Recontextualizing internationalization of higher education institutions in South Korea through the lens of the knowledge–policy–power interface

PurposeThis paper aims to critically investigate the past hype of internationalization of higher education institutions (HEIs) and its complex international, national and local processes under the influence of globalization.Design/methodology/approachIn particular, the authors employed the knowledge–policy–power interface framework through a scoping review in order to reexamine the political dynamics among international, national and local higher education actors in driving the internationalization of HEIs in the context of South Korea between the 1990s and the 2020s. The perspective taken by this research brings much-needed nuance to the analysis by focusing on the complex dynamics of external factors and key actors and their responses in the process of internationalization.FindingsThis research found three characteristic dynamics of internationalization of Korean HEIs: uncritical acceptance of external pressures for internationalization; unbalanced formal and informal participation at the national level and different ways HEIs absorb change. In short, this research discussed how the powerful government, which has been stirred by external forces, shaped the limited knowledge discourse on internationalization while triggering power games among various HEIs. The research highlights that the characteristics of HEIs and the voices of all stakeholders should be better accounted for so that internationalization can proceed in diverse ways from the ground up to enhance and assure educational quality.Research limitations/implicationsThe research limits itself by analyzing the political dynamics in driving the internationalization of HEIs in the context of South Korea only through scoping review. However, the attempt to disentangle the underlying political dynamics through its original framework is worthy unlike previous more traditional models that cast policy-making as a uniform cycle proceeding rationally through the policy process regardless of the issue.Practical implicationsThese findings enable a better analysis of the key dynamics of how HEI internationalization policies in Korea were understood, planned and implemented. Without examining the political dynamics among various factors as well as the responses of significant actors to HEI internationalization, the current challenges and remaining tasks in translating higher education policy into practice cannot be thoroughly assessed.Social implicationsMost importantly, the multilayered political dynamics that come together to shape the content and directions of policies in a certain national context should be taken into account in the process of policy-making. Such recontextualization would provide a better understanding of the underlying dynamics that lead to certain consequences of and challenges in translating higher education policy into practice, especially for those who face the challenge of balancing between state-driven policies and ever-diversifying needs and demands of HEIs.Originality/valueAs there is a lack of understanding of the critical context of the knowledge–policy–power interface despite the significant influence of political dynamics in the process of internationalization, this research reexamined the internationalization of HEIs in Korea by providing a better understanding of the political dynamics between knowledge and power that influence the directions and contents of policy dialogues and documents.

What Is Informal Participation?: Introduction to the Special Issue: Quietly Standing Out: Understanding Informal Forms of Political Engagement.

Far from activism in formal groups or in visible and vocal demonstrations stands a type of citizen participation observed through everyday practices and daily activities in the public sphere. Targeted citizen actions in urban spaces, dumpster diving, responsible consumption movements or small acts of everyday resistance are all examples of what we call informal modes of participation. Such initiatives are not new, nor do they pertain to a particular geographic arena. However, it is only recently that social scientists have started to pay attention to such activities: scholars from urban studies, development studies, political sociology, and critical geography have started to address this phenomenon. After discussing the existing literature on this topic, this introduction proceeds to define and operationalize the concept of informal participation, while also providing a common analytical framework for dialogue among the six contributions to this special issue briefly described in the last section below.

Social Capital as a Factor of Social Participation: The Case of the Vologda Region

The most important resource for the development of a territory that provides dynamism and ensures adaptation to changes is a society’s energy for activity. The activity resource of a city, region or settlement, in our opinion, can be measured by the development of practices of social participation among its population. The main types of social participation are involvement in formal public organizations, informal participation, which consists of collective practices of participation without membership in organizations, and practicing helpful behavior, which may be purely personal in nature. The level of social participation is influenced by external and internal factors. External are a region’s socio-economic characteristics, activity of organizations and authorities aimed at stimulating and involving the population in the practice of participation. Internal factors include motivation to participate, attitudes and values that influence the population. The basic hypothesis of the study is that the fundamental motive for social participation is the creation of a network of social ties, the expansion of contacts, which contributes to the accrual of social capital. At the same time, different forms of social participation have different potential for accrual of social capital. Paradoxically, it is most actively formed within the framework of informal participation practices. To prove this trend, the categories of social capital and social resources that are well-known and widely used in theoretical and practical research activities are used. The empirical basis of the study was a representative survey of the population of Vologda Oblast. It was revealed that the most important reasons for involvement in the activities of public organizations and involvement in informal participation, according to most active segments of the population, include “communication with interesting people”, “useful connections”, “making new friends”. Social participation acts as a mechanism for the formation of personal social capital. A side effect of this is the formation of group social capital and the social capital of the territorial community as a whole. This happens due to the expansion of networks and an increase in solidarity, responsibility and willingness to unite, which, in turn, stimulates participation, which becomes an important social effect for the development of the territory. The practical significance of the study is to identify the core of motivation of active segments of the population, which is a guideline for building a policy of involving more inert groups of the population in the practice of social participation.

Participatory Action Research to Co-Design Internet-Based HIV Prevention with Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in HIV Prevention in Bali, Indonesia

There is increasing awareness of the need to develop innovative and relevant methodologies to best capture the voices of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (YMSM), which will inform HIV prevention. This article discusses the process of researching with YMSM in Bali, the solution to methodological gaps in research for Internet-based HIV prevention. This research endorsed the Habermas Communicative Action Theory which was then translated to Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology. Nine YMSM aged 18-24 years old participated in this research through multiple research activities for four months. Data collection included structured group meetings, group workshops, informal participant observations, and after-hour conversations over afternoon tea and shared meals. Participants used a range of visual and digital media to share their collective ideas and different trial strategies. We argue for the opportunity for participatory action research to strengthen the roles of YMSM in HIV prevention.

Discreet Mobilizations Against Discrimination: Informal Participation in the French Suburbs

Discreet Mobilizations Against Discrimination: Informal Participation in the French Suburbs

Covid-19 Krizi Sürecinin Kadınların Kayıt Dışı İstihdamına Etkileri

Covid-19 krizi sürecinde kayıt dışı çalışan kadınlar gelir ve istihdam kayıplarından en olumsuz etkilenen grup olmuştur. Bu çalışmada, ilgili literatür ışığında Covid-19 krizi sürecinin kadınların kayıt dışı istihdamdaki etkileri toplumsal cinsiyete dayalı boyutları çerçevesinde tartışılmaktadır. Araştırmanın temel bulgularına göre, kadınlar istihdama katıldıkları kayıt dışı çalışma biçimlerinin (ev işçiliği, sanayiye yönelik ev eksenli işler gibi) hem ataerkillik, toplumsal cinsiyetten beslenen özelliklerinden kaynaklı kırılganlığı hem de bu işlerin yüksek düzeyde karantina önlemlerine duyarlı olması nedeniyle büyük istihdam ve gelir kayıpları yaşamışlardır. Salgın önlemlerinin hafifletildiği süreçte ise ortaya çıkan eğilimler Covid-19 krizinin kadınlar için iş gücü piyasasında adeta bir kayıt dışına katılım döngüsü-çıkmazı yaratma potansiyeline işaret etmektedir. Bu ise kayıt dışı istihdama katılımın kadın için daha da artacağı anlamına gelmektedir. Covid-19 kriz süreci kadınların kayıt dışı işlerdeki kötü çalışma koşullu işleri ve toplumsal cinsiyet eşitsizliğini kalıcılaştırmaktadır. Kayıt dışı istihdama yönelik olarak, çalışanların istihdam biçimlerinin yasal düzeyde tanınması; çalışma biçimlerinin, sosyal güvence kapsamına alınması, ücret güvencesi gibi tüm çalışma koşullarının yasal çerçevede düzenlenmesi acil bir gerekliliktir. Kadınlar özelinde bu politika ve programlar, aynı zamanda kadınlara karşı toplumsal cinsiyetçi tutumları dönüştürme, ücretsiz bakım-ev işlerinin ve kadınların iş gücü piyasasında üretim etkinliklerini toplumsal yaşamda daha görünür ve değerli kılacak ilke ve uygulamalar çerçevesinde tasarlanmalıdır.