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.

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 !

Research Proposal regarding topic of "Public Participation"

As this is a blog that I had created as part of my studio assignment, therefore i will post some part of my studio work for comments and recommendations.

One of the assignments that were given to us is to produce and research proposal based on the core topic of our blog. This is some of the progress of my research proposal, although this research proposal is something like a dummy testing for us to learn the process of producing an proper research procedures. please feel free to give comment so that i can take into consideration.

The topic of my research is as follow,

Does incorporating ICT increase level of public participation for Neighborhood planning in Selangor, Malaysia?

Issues and Problems

There are few minor drawbacks from Public Participation Planning in Malaysia.

• Difficult to get people interested in planning and plans, due to difficulties in understanding, personal timidity and lack of time.

• Government planning authority didn’t emphasize much on the involvement of public during the initial planning stage and environmental impact assessment, EIA.

• Lack and in-proper follow up after the initial meeting between planners and the locals.

• Duration for the public participation planning process will take longer considering the action and reaction time from various involving parties and thus resulting in the lack of practicing it.

• Hidden agenda behind the apparent environmental argument might be solely economic, protecting only private objectives of the minority rather the entire community.

• Fears of potential negative effects of urban planning will often trigger responses/appeals to plans. This reactive way of responding is not a constructive mode of participation.

Potential of ICT in Public Participation Planning

• Information, communication and co-operation are the basics of effective and transparent public participation.

• Strengthened by demands of the Malaysia government to enhance e-government.

• Using GIS and CAD data to generate 3D-urban-models, will utilize already existing planning data in a new way. 3D-visualistion of existing and planned structures will help non-professionals to better understand planning contents and the consequences caused by planning alternatives (improve information level of users, and due to plans currently submitted in digital format, it will be much easier & faster to distribute the plans online).

• Using the internet enables the public to participate independently of time and space.

Research Objective

The objective of this research is to find out whether incorporating ICT will increase the level of public participation in the context of neighborhood planning within the Selangor State. Which in terms answers many important questions?

• The level of public participation for neighborhood planning with the incorporation of ICT.

• The feasibility of ICT to fully be incorporated into Public Participation for neighborhood planning.

Scope of Research

Location: selecting neighborhoods within Selangor State that has a minimum 70% from the total housing units with online availability and also with an established neighborhood forum.

Duration: Depending on the type of planning projects to be involved.

Study Subjects: All residents within the neighborhood with the minimum age of 17 and above, that had registered to participate in the planning process through registering in the forum.