The Role of the Creation and Sharing of Digital Media Content in Participatory E-Planning

Abstract

Participatory e-planning research and practice has focused on the institutional context of citizen participation in urban planning. Thus, it has mostly addressed the use and development of tools that support modes of participation compatible with the existing urban planning or governance processes. The author argues that another type of participation exists, which is also relevant to the development of participatory e-planning. This type of participation emerges from the practices associated with the creation and sharing of digital content, which are afforded by new media technologies. This article defines participatory e-planning as the site of active stakeholder involvement, not only in the traditional collaborative urban planning activities, but also in the co-production and sharing of media content, as well as in the configuration of the supporting technologies. By examining three cases of participatory e-planning in Helsinki, the author answers the following questions: What kinds of activities associated with the creation and sharing of digital media content take place in the context of participatory e-planning? What are the consequences of these activities for urban planning processes? What are the consequences of these activities for the technological development for participatory e-planning?

Exploring E-Planning Practices in Different Contexts

“…It has enabled both planners and citizens to start topics around issues of interests. As a flexible tool, it has been used for both consultation in the formal context or for partnership building outside it, as well as at almost any stage of the planning process (Saad-Sulonen, 2012). The flexible use has, however, revealed the extent to which the CPD is short of strategies for dealing with input from citizens that are not delivered through the official tools and the formal processes in place (Saad-Sulonen, 2012).…”

“…They later analyzed the data themselves, with the help of NGO representatives, and contacted the CPD planners to inform them about their concerns. They also discussed, with some success, possibilities for future actions (Saad-Sulonen, 2012;Saad-Sulonen et al, 2012). Arabianranta is one of the newly active neighborhoods in Helsinki, where web-based tools are frequently used.…”

“…First of all, the formal planning will eventually expand to adopt a variety of tools, official and unofficial, expert and mundane, which include digital and non-digital tools (Wallin et al, 2010, Saad-Sulonen, 2012. The new tools that support the practices of "do it yourself" and "do it with others" have the potential to change the route to and timing of participation.…”

“…However, the use and purpose of the tools vary in terms of their planning context (formal or informal), level of citizen control (Arnstein, 1969;Horelli, 2002 11 ) and the stage or phase of the planning cycle (Saad-Sulonen & Horelli, 2010;Saad-Sulonen, 2012). Moreover, as described in the previous section, the tools in use are either official tools, provided by the CPD or unofficial ones, such as neighborhood websites and social media (Table 2).…”

“…These technologies enable citizens to create and share data and information about local issues and the urban environment (Saad-Sulonen, 2012).…”