Activating the role of public participation as a new vision towards urban planning system reform : what can Syria learn from the British experience?
Abstract
As a cross-national comparative study, this research examines the urban development
decision-making process as a form of urban governance, emphasising the progress
achieved in public participation within the British and Syrian urban contexts. According
to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), public participation is one of
the key attributes of good governance. Therefore this study addresses public participation
as an indicator of good governance; a means to ensure better development, and an end to
enhancing the capacity building of the society.
There is an abundance of theoretical and practical research addressing the topic of public
participation in the urban development decision-making process in the UK, which might
provide valuable references and lessons for developing countries to benefit from. Since
2011, Syria has been in turmoil and instability due to the ongoing war in the country,
resulting in drastic social, economic, and political changes. Before the war and during the
first decade of the 21st century, Syria sought to make some social and economic changes
under the influence and help of the UNDP. Those change attempts were noted within the
10th Five Year Plan (FYP), where the concepts of ‘civil society’, ‘participation’, and
‘governance’ were introduced. Those changes have affected the urban planning context
within the country, where a new approach to decision-making within the land-use
planning system was introduced. However, the efficiency of the new approach to
achieving better outcomes for development plans was still questionable.
This research aims to critically review, evaluate and compare the progress achieved in the
field of public participation in the urban development decision-making process
(evolution, achievements, and problems) in the British and Syrian contexts by following
a cross-national approach. It reviews the evolution of urban planning theories and public
participation approaches and their practices. Based on the findings, an analytical
framework is adopted to examine and evaluate the level of public participation within the
decision-making process, both theoretically and in practice. The research is based on a
case study approach. A mixed-method of data collection and analysis is applied in both
countries through literature, policy and regulations reviews, and fieldwork in the selected
study cases: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, and Latakia, Syria. By studying and analysing the
possibilities for broader public participation and more effective engagement of members
of civil society in the urban development decision-making process, this research attempts to promote potential sustainable outcomes of public participation within their related
political, economic, and social contexts.
This research found some theoretical similarities between the UK-Scotland and Syria
when addressing classic democracy (structure of the state, administrative and
geographical division, the structure of state institutions, and the laws and regulations
governing). However, the empirical research found that the fundamental differences lie
in the practical implementation of the concept of democracy on the ground. Empirical
research shows that public participation in the Syrian urban development decision making process is primitive and limited to informing only. Even the methods used to
inform the public are ineffective enough and do not achieve the required propagation.
Whereas in the case of UK-Scotland, public participation is more developed, and the
public is engaged and consulted during the formulation of the decisions.
Despite the difference in the level of democracy, the research indicates that Syria could
benefit from the British experience. However, achieving this is a political matter that
needs a political and societal will that involves restructuring the main forces of society
(the state, the market, and the society). Based on the research findings, a series of
recommendations have been developed to improve the practice of public participation in
the urban development decision-making process and achieve reformatory changes to
urban governance in Syria,