Experimental participation method

The experimental participation method is a citizen participation method that determines legal aspects of planning secure places. It is a participatory process, where the future residents are able to influence the decisions on their future living environment. They are supporting the planning and construction from the very beginning on a collaborative basis, and help produce building guidelines, which usually come "from above". A particular aim is to foster smaller-scale resident participation which should be implemented to improve the quality of the living environments (e.g. planning of recreational areas, green structures) in areas already built.

Process description

1. A project coordinator serves as a link between the residents and the city.
2. Learning is a central aspect of the process. Usually future residents of a new housing area are rather unfamiliar with the broad range of aspects related to the (re-)planning of such areas, thus, the collaborative character of participation is grounded on preparatory information and the identification of possible problems (also in planning).
3. The aim is to achieve decisions by consensus, which are later adopted by the city and contribute to future problem solving.
4. The method’s empowerment is that participants get the chance to influence many of visual and functional aspects for their future surroundings throughout the planning process.

How does it support in planning of secure public spaces?

• Supports addressing unfamiliarity with the wide range of legal and security aspects related to security related urban planning;
• Fosters mutual learning of participants/residents and security/urban planners;
• Contributes to future security problem-solving and to creating a feeling of safety as well as a good and secure atmosphere;
• Contributes to guiding citizens how they are able to influence many of the visual and functional security aspects of their future neighbourhood.

Links and further information

• Public Participation in Urban Planning and Strategies. Retrieved from: http://www.mecibs.dk/brochures/07Publicpart.pdf [last access: 2012-03-16].