4. Using The World Wide Web For Public Participation
Traditional methods of public participation at planning meetings quite often involves a confrontational atmosphere. This can discourage participation by an often less vocal majority causing public meetings to be dominated by individuals who may have extreme views which may not necessarily represent the wider view of local people. Planning meetings often tend to take place in evenings at specific times which can limit the numbers of people who are able to attend. The restricted time and also the actual geographical location of public meetings can further restrict the possibility of widespread attendance. Physical access to such meetings can also cause problems for the disabled, the elderly and infirm as well as those who maybe deaf.
There are many advantages to a web based approach at local, regional and national public participation events. The meetings are neither restricted by geographical location or time. Access to the information about the issues being discussed are available from any location with web access. The information is also available at any time of the day thus avoiding the problems associated with holding meetings only in evenings. The concept of a "24/7", i.e. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week access opens up opportunities for more people to participate in public consultations. Essentially with a web based system the public are at the end of a telephone line which enables them to make comments and express their views in a relatively anonymous and non-confrontational manner. This compares with the traditional method of standing-up in front of a group of relative strangers.
A web based system is unique in its ability to provide a 2-way flow of information from the public to the system and back again. In the Slaithwaite example the inputting of comments by the public directly into the system saves time and money. With the physical model comments made by the public have to be collated and put into a database by, in this instance, CVT which can take several weeks to compile and analyse. With the web based system this process is continually being updated as the public use the system and input their comments. The system offers a high degree of flexibility, buildings can be altered or updated with more relevant information throughout the public participation process. Several people commented on the 'Virtual Slaithwaite' system that a road and some buildings had been named incorrectly. This information allowed the system to be updated immediately by the operators.
In a traditional PFR setting using a physical model of the village the public are encouraged to place flags on places where they wish to express views and opinions. This limits the amount of information that the public can put across as the flags are relatively small. The web based system allows people to express more articulated views or comments about issues as opposed to the use of a flag placed on the physical model. NIF found the web based method useful and believe that there maybe potential to incorporate a stand alone, i.e. non web based system into their own PFR process. With the traditional method NIF representatives have to take the written proposals, which have been placed on the flags, off the model periodically and collate this information in a database for future analysis. With the computer model the public input their comments directly into the system thus bypassing the requirement of NIF to do this, saving them time and effort.
Considering NIFs enthusiasm for a similar system, not necessarily web based, we are seeking additional funding to further this type of work and develop the research and development of such systems in similar settings. While a web based system may not be necessary for a small scale village sized study a similar process for a more geographically dispersed population could play an increasing role in future public participation processes. It should also be noted that these systems are seen as ways to enhance, not replace, current methods.
