Usage Of ICT in Public Participation

The traditional method of public participation involves the use of public meetings. These are regarded by most as an inefficient, unfair, and are nearly always held in a fixed place or location and at a fixed time, often when people are at work or in the evening when other commitments mean people cannot attend meetings (The meetings are quite often confrontational, they can be dominated by vocal minority groups, it is often difficult for the layperson to understand, and the whole process quite often involves highly technical and legal ‘jargon’. Members of the public who attend these meetings also often experience difficulty understanding the spatial relationships portrayed on 2-D maps and plans, their frustration often leading to miscommunication and mistrust of planners.)

The importance of the public’s participation in the process is tantamount in avoiding further conflict and objection once a development has been undertaken. “The picture is worth a thousand words and direct involvement in most endeavors results in a greater understanding of the experience” (Howard, 1998). Unfortunately the wisdom of this phrase has not fully been understood by the planning world as yet. The message here is clear, greater involvement in the planning process leads to greater understanding and acceptance of plans and proposals. Therefore any process which will improve the relationship between planners and the community they serve will inevitably result in a more fair and efficient planning system.

(Shiffer, 1996) writes, "Information is only powerful when it is effectively comprehended by those who use it. IT (Information Technology) can help people to comprehend information, (thereby delivering knowledge)." Nearly all planning information possesses a spatial orientation that is essential to acquiring the knowledge necessary for effective planning participation. (Shiffer, 1995a) and others (Hundt 1997, Krygier 1998, Pieplow 1998) have demonstrated that geographically related technology, including:

GIS Concept

Digital Aerial Photography

geographic information systems (GIS); digital aerial photography and photographs; digital simulation and animation; and even audio/video recordings of public meetings where land use issues are discussed can be employed during participatory activities to provide that geographic orientation.

(Dandekar, 1982) suggests that involvement of the public to stimulate good ideas and build a consensus amongst a diverse community requires three modes of communication: presentation of information to the public; receipt of information from the public; and exchange of ideas and opinions that build upon shared information as the ideas evolve. The importance of information exchange between the public and the local planning authorities, ICT infrastructure can play a major role in stimulating this process.

(Kaj, 2002) said that electronic tools can overcome many traditional obstacles in the aspect of reaching out to the public with the information. Among the traditional obstacles that can be overcome are,

i. Preparation of information in the form of electronic data can reduce the cost on hardcopy printing materials (reduced usage on paper).

ii. The public will be able to reach out to certain information or documents through the internet, at their own preference time without disturbing their normal day routine.

iii. There will be no need for the public to go the authorities office to gather the information that they need, in fact this can be done anywhere with internet connection

iv. The electronic information usage in different from the traditional information usage, although both convey the same information but the electronic information has the advantage that enable the public to do information search electronically, Cut and Paste of the information, alteration and correction on the information can be done much easier.

Potentials of ICT for public participation

The internet is no longer an exotic space.

Internet

There are more than 160 countries in this world and Malaysian is the 17th highest global online population. United States, a country with 295 millions population rank number 1 as the highest global online population country with 62.74% populations or 185 millions having access to internet following by China, top population country with 1310 millions populations but with only 99.8 millions internet users. Is closely followed by Japan with 78.05 millions internet users.

Malaysia, a country even though have only 24 millions population have a high ranking on global online population based on its high percentage of population which is around 41.83% population having internet access.

People use the internet for online banking, to search for job offers or a new partner, for information and communication (news, emails), to book holidays, to shop online, etc. The internet is not longer an alien instrument. To many, the use of the web is as naturally as reading newspapers or listening to the radio. Therefore, e-participation is timely and, considering the above listed circumstances, it is appropriate to allow residents to participate in planning processes online. (cf. Bräuer, M., Biewendt, T., 2005)

One of the biggest advantages offered by e-Participation is the independence of space and time: the user is free to choose, when and where he will join the project to get himself informed, and to participate in the process. This aspect could widen the range of people already participating in planning processes, because also those people can get involved who, until now, did not have the opportunity to, due to handicaps, inconvenient working times, personal timidity. (The internet is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.)

Therefore, information can be offered, discussion can take place, and participation is possible, regardless of any office hours. It is also a chance to involve groups which may not be reached with traditional participation methods but are typical internet users (young people, technology savvy people and bloggers too). Getting more responds from other people involved will also enhance the input of knowledge. Legal authorities will profit from getting input from different stakeholders and a wide variety of user groups. Planning will not longer be a process of making proposals and let them discuss by the public, but could benefit from the wide range of public knowledge, which could now easily be used to improve planning and decision making processes (cf. Bräuer, M., Biewendt, T. 2005). Another point is the possibility of interactive communication, also, or even with high number of participation. Participants are able to link their comments interactively and time lapsed (asynchrony), different from face-to-face discussion (synchrony) where the comments are directly linked to the earlier statement.

The internet allows representing continuously profound information of all relevant planning data which is accessible to whoever is interested in. But not only common information, like textual and map based input, might be offered via internet. One of the big potentials of the web is the interactivity and the special visualization possibilities. People can look at planning proposals in a 3-Dimensional way, walk through 3D urban- models and change the view-points as they prefer.

3D Modeling for Online Usage

Videos and panorama images are further features to make information and participation more interesting and understandable. New visualization technologies (Google Earth) and discussion structures may help to improve participation and simplify understanding of development contents for non-professional people.

Google Earth Interface

The internet as a networking instrument could help to improve the communication in participation processes: one-way-communication (download, newsletter, and mailing) is possible as well as two ways (e-mail, online forms, e-voting, chat) and multi-way-communication (collective city and residents’ server, internet conference, online mediation, online working, and discussion forum). This is a very important aspect by developing participation as co-operation between partners, not only as top-down involvement of local authorities. Another important issue is the improvement of transparency in planning and participation processes which might come with e-Planning and e-Participation. But there is also the risk of anonymity and quasi participation.

Using the web for participation demands a careful handling of data and input of the participants. Contact persons have to be announced and fast feed-back provided. Also the use of the engagement and the influence of the planning process have to be defined clearly. Results have to be displayed and timelines have to be named. Anyway, if online participation is handled carefully and earnestly, the planning and participation process will become much more transparent. (cf. Märker 2007; Sinning, Selle, Pflüger 2003)

Public Participation in Malaysia

The notion of Malaysian public involvement in planning can be traced to the Town Board Enactment of the Federated Malay States of 1927. It provides for the general town plan to be displayed to the public to make objections and propose recommendation on how to overcome the objections. Later the Town Board Enactment 1930 (which are still applicable in some parts of the country) provides similar arrangements for public involvement. In all these cases, the public was only allowed to participate after a draft plan has been completed.

The Town and Country Planning Act (TCP ACT), 1976 which succeeded the Town Board Enactment was the only significant planning legislation which covers all local authorities in Peninsular Malaysia. The rationale the TCP Act 1976 was basically to replace the Town Board Enactment which was considered extremely physical in approach and too rigid in accommodation changes in socio-economic needs for a country experience rapid development.

The 1976 Act essentially provide for public participation in these stages:

a) while preparing the structure plan policies

b) objection and representation to the structure plan

c) objection to the local plan

According to Kamalruddin (1994), the public participation exercise in Malaysia relied heavily on the following principles:

a) opportunities should be given to the public to involve themselves at the early stage of study;

b) public participation programme should involve all the people in the society;

c) public participation techniques must be suited to the various types of people directed at;

d) public participation could also be considered as an approach to educate the public concerning town planning based on the 1976 Act

Thus far, public participation in Malaysia has been quite successful in informing the public about the development plan of their respective area. However, more significant contribution from the public is desirable to improve the relationship between the authority and the public which would facilitate better development effort for the country.

My final title for my Reseach Proposal

Does incorporating Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) increase level of public participation for Community planning in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia?

My research proposal has finally has it's title. Now all I need to do is wait for my lecturers to approve to it so I can proceed with the rest of the proposal. And tonnes of journal & literature reading begin now !!

P.S. anyone with articles similar or regarding this topic please send me the link thru the comment box k. Thanks !

Designing Community

I had finally completed reading this book, it is very interesting and kind of helpful for my research proposal and for this blog, although the contents of this book is based on the UK and US planning background, but it is still very resourceful.

The most important chapter of this book that i want to point out is chapter 7

which is about Urban Design, Public Participation and Planning in Practice.



This chapter discusses the role of design in assisting public education and participation in the planning process, and how this public input can, in turn, inform and enrich urban design proposals for community development. it outlines the principles and processes for conducting successful charrettes, explains how to assemble and effective charrette team, how to develop a budget for the process, and how to create the most effective and engaging products from the event.

I greatly recommend anyone to that is interested in public participation to grab this book from the shelf.