Medvirkningsideologiens inntog i byplanleggingen - en invitasjon til grubling

Researchers, urban planners, developers, public officials and research funders argue that public participation is democratic and just as well as necessary in order to develop good plans and a better urban development. This paper critically engages with such lines of thought. Although sharing the ideal of making democratic and just societies, an excursion through existing research indicates that it is not easy to determine what “better” or “good” urban development really is. Moreover, it is difficult to demonstrate that public participation always leads to the development of attractive neighbourhoods. It is also challenging to identify participatory processes that have resulted in “better” development projects. Consequently, there is a need for a more critical discussion of the merits of participation to better understand how we can construct democratic and just cities.