Rethinking public participation in infrastructure projects

The mission of any public infrastructure and construction (PIC) projects is to improve the well-being of the society. In spite of this, as some of these projects might impact on the environment and affect the habitat of local residents, it is not unusual to attract criticism or even opposition from various stakeholder groups. Consequently, there is an increasing concern about the effectiveness of public participation for PIC projects. The authors strive to examine the salient elements of public participation by considering the questions of ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ in the process. The paper begins by reviewing the international public participation practices and the models proposed by various researchers. The key aspects to be considered during the public participation process are then highlighted. The paper concludes by proposing a comprehensive participatory framework for PIC projects, especially those of a highly sensitive nature. The results show that the standpoints of various stakeholders can be rather diverse and it is necessary to ensure a consensus is reached at different project stages through a well-planned, whole-cycle participatory exercise in order to maximise the chance of project success. More importantly, better acceptance towards other views and more education on the importance of public participation are needed to ensure that society benefits from economic and social development without sacrificing the rights and best interests of the minority groups.