Public participation in planning: with reference to the supply of liquified petroleum gas through Lyttelton Port

Abstract

This study investigates the role of public participation in planning. The initial approach involves a case-study of the planning pertaining to the provision for bulk liquified petroleum gas supply through the port of Lyttelton. The focus in the case-study is on portraying and investigating how the people of the impacted community might be considered to have participated. Public participation is identified as having a value-laden 'essence'. The poor basis for the elucidation of an appropriate role that exists in the literature and practice concerning public participation in planning is discussed. A framework based on the range of social order theories is adopted that accommodates principal variations in meaning. The case-study events are identified in terms of the framework. The nature of society and the task of planning are considered and conclusions derived, revolving on the inappropriateness of the assumption of value-consensus and models and perspectives based on this. The political nature of planning is affirmed and explicated. The meaning of accepting perspectives founded on value-conflict is explored primarily in relation to considering the case-study situation.