The Grounds for Citizen Engagement and the Roles of Planners

Citizen Engagement (CE) has become another popular synonym for Public Participation. Whatever the terminology, the concept remains a central theoretical and practical tenet of urban planning. All significant community planning projects require that some CE be pursued. Urban planners are thus an inherent element of CE. In this book, three roles for planners are proposed, encompassing the functions they typically perform at work: expert, a definitive authority or specialist; facilitator, a process leader or manager; and advocate, a champion for a solution or set of interests. Following a discussion of background theory and an analysis of several arguments for and against CE in general, a set of criteria is developed for determining which role planners should play. The criteria are then applied to two case studies in Calgary, Canada; several local planners and process-practitioners are interviewed; and recommendations are made concerning how planners ought to involve themselves in future public processes. As well as planners, this book holds valuable insights for politicians, civic activists, and anyone interested in local decision making.