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Values, conflict, and trust in participatory environmental planning
Author(s) -
Beierle Thomas C.,
Konisky David M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of policy analysis and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.898
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1520-6688
pISSN - 0276-8739
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6688(200023)19:4<587::aid-pam4>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - citizen journalism , public participation , government (linguistics) , public relations , work (physics) , process (computing) , business , public trust , political science , public administration , environmental resource management , economics , engineering , computer science , law , mechanical engineering , philosophy , linguistics , operating system
The need for greater public involvement in environmental decisionmaking has been highlighted in recent high‐profile research reports and emphasized by leaders at all levels of government. In some cases, environmental agencies have opened the door to greater participation in their programs. However, there is relatively little information on what can be gained from greater public involvement and what makes some programs work while others fail. This article presents an evaluation of public participation in several cases of environmental planning in the Great Lakes region, focusing on how effectively these efforts introduced public values into government decisionmaking, resolved conflict among stakeholders, and built trust in environmental agencies. Data for the analysis came from a “case survey” method in which the authors systematically coded information from previously written case studies. The research findings support an optimistic view of public participation—although not without important caveats—and emphasize the importance of communication and commitment in the participatory process. © 2000 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.