CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PART 1 ENVI 201 FINAL

Arnstein’s ladder of Citizen participation TOP OF LADDER

citizen control, delegated power & partnership. Degrees of citizen power. RARELY PLAY IN GOVT

Arnstein’s ladder of Citizen participation MIDDLE OF LADDER

placation, consultation, informing. Degrees of tokenism. Mostly play in govt

Arnstein’s ladder of Citizen participation BOTTOM OF LADDER

Therapy, manipulation. No power. Non-participation, goal is to “educate” you, build public support “rubber stamp”

Ideal conditions for participation

Low cost, citizens volunteer, key stakeholders are nearby. High benefits, citizens needed to break gridlock, facilitator has credibility

Non-Ideal conditions for participation

High cost, complex issue, public reluctant to get involved because it is a government job. Low benefits, group decisions are likely to be ignored, public not hostile to government/high trust

Partnership

-Redistribute power between citizens and power holders. -Joint committees

Delegated power

-Citizens hold majority of seats on committee. -Power to assure public accountability

Citizen control

Citizens plan & implement projects, and have direct access to funds

Tension between citizen knowledge and
technical knowledge

• Part of it hubris of scientists, planners, government officials
• Part of it is topic complexity

Informing

• Important first step
• Often no feedback

Consultation

• Surveys, neighborhood meetings, public hearings
• Crucial step as long as feedback is taken seriously

Placation

• Hand-picked committee members
• Citizens discuss, but power held by powerful who just legitimacy of input