7. Conclusions

While the 'Virtual Slaithwaite' system has worked relatively well further work in several areas is required before this participatory method could be adopted as a robust technique to compliment current public participation processes. Considering this system was one of the first of its kind allowing a two-way flow of information and data between the public or 'user' and the 'client' the case study has provided very positive signs that their is future potential for this type of on-line web based participatory system. The concept of a two-way interaction between a user and client opens up many possibilities for participatory techniques. In this sense then while the user may range from individual members of the public to groups with common concerns the client side of the system comes in many guises. In the Virtual Slaithwaite case the client represented CVT as the initiator of the whole PFR process. In other cases the client could be the local authority who may decide to use the web for particular participatory processes such as the progression of an authority wide planning document or a local based initiative. The range of possibilities for carrying out this type of participatory technique is endless.

It is clear though that many more case studies and research and development work is required to investigate the use of more and different types of data. Case studies relating to different issues and different spatial scales are also required. Further work involving different sectors of the community is also required to develop more of an understanding regarding the public acceptance and understanding of web based participatory techniques. While the Slaithwaite case study appeared to run relatively smoothly more work needs to be undertaken with a wide range of age groups and sectors of the population to discover the ability and understanding of IT by these such groups.

One problem identified relating to the users of the physical model was the noticeable lack of generating considerable interest in the late teens to late twenties age groups. Attending public meetings and expressing an opinion is not viewed as a particularly fashionable way to spend your evenings by this age group. The Internet and the World Wide Web could help to popularise the concept of public participation through several channels. Whether access is obtained through the home or through a cyber-café the anonymity of participation maybe the key to increasing the numbers of younger people participating in local democracy. The modern and fashionable nature of the web also has the potential to increase participation within this age group.

Several issues still need resolving around the following themes:

• problems of public use of a system;
• public involvement in planning;
• problems of empowerment, social inclusion and exclusion; and,
• legal issues, mainly:
  • Copyright;
  • Intellectual Property Rights;
  • legislative context of planning law - is there enough time in the legal process to undertake an on-line exercise to compliment current methods?

While the Slaithwaite case study worked extremely well the testing of further on-line public participation systems is urgently required in both similar and different settings. This is partly being realised in the wider research project with two further case studies at the regional and national scales investigating new woodland planting and nuclear waste disposal respectively. The levels of public involvement across different spatial scales in combination with a series of single and multi-issue problems needs to be investigated. This will contribute to an improvement in the understanding the public have with regards particular planning issues and decision making problems.

Public access to the Internet is still relatively low at the moment. All the indications suggest that levels of access are improving as many Internet Service Providers are offering free access with only local telephone calls to be paid for. While this is encouraging it hides the fact that the types of people going on-line are dominated by middle class educated people. To avoid other sectors of society from being excluded innovative means of engaging these people, such as the unemployed, are required. Public access points in libraries, community centres and other public buildings should be encouraged. Where public involvement in particular public participation initiatives is required systems can be set up which allow access only to information on the specified issue. This resolves the problem of providing unlimited WWW access which encourages people to get distracted by other web sites. Many local authorities have public information systems and kiosks. These can be adapted to provide facilities relating to specific decision making questions and problems.

There is very little evidence on how local authorities view and may react to the possibility of on-line public participation systems. While nearly all local authorities have web sites the levels of interaction and participatory tools available within them are extremely limited at present. Over the next 5 years or so the use of the WWW by local authorities will inevitably increase and its potential for carrying out public participation processes in all areas or local authority work is boundless. From the evidence received so far it appears that the WWW offers a great opportunity to increase public involvement in local decision making and can help to make such events more popular.