The Value of User Participation
Links to the 'collaboration' component of the seven Cs (Urban Design Protocol).
What is user participation?
User participation involves not only public consultation process, but also other kinds of interactive involvement in urban design such as surveys and workshops.
Key findings
User participation in urban design activity can:
- improve the fit between design and user needs
- develop a sense of community and ownership over the final result
- offer cost savings by encouraging greater user support for change.
Overview of the research
There are several important arguments in favour of user participation:
- users have essential expertise and information that can assist the design process
- realistic, more informed public expectations and understanding can develop
- people can see how their individual needs or concerns fit into the wider picture
- people may feel a stronger sense of ownership over the end result
- a stronger sense of community may develop
- the interests of people whose needs might otherwise be ignored are protected.
However, successful user participation complements, rather than replaces, professional design and technical expertise. There is no evidence that total citizen control over design - 'architecture without architects' - is successful. Design, planning and policy professionals can extend the range of possible solutions and options in ways that untrained users cannot.
Evidence points to the need for good management of the user participation process if it is to be effective. Otherwise the result may be gridlock, or poor outcomes reflecting narrow or vested interests at the expense of the wider public interest. A clear brief for participants, the selection of representative participants, background research and analysis, and experienced facilitation are all shown to be helpful in achieving effective user participation.
Henry Sanoff, one of the
world's leading proponents of user participation in design, says that users have a particular expertise which needs to be integrated into design.
Sanoff, 1978
The US Local Government Commission quotes a former mayor of Pasadena, observing that public participation has "raised the level of trust among residents - not trusting in city hall, but trusting that they own city hall".
Local Government Commission, 2004
Sanoff said in 1990 that the public should be involved at their level of competence. They should be encouraged to participate according to their interests and what they know. Users should not be asked for information that they may not hold or which is highly speculative. Anecdotal evidence is not sufficient when resolving complex planning, policy and design issues.
Sanoff, 1990
