Mapping Public Participation in Sweden : An overview of the individual's voice in the planning process

Abstract: Public participation in Sweden is something that has grown fourth after the democratisation of the planning process in urban and regional planning. The goal was to strengthen the sustainability of the projects while inviting the concerned to directly influence and discuss the needs and solutions that arise during exploitation. Three areas are examined to create an understanding of how public participation looks like today. The representations of these areas are Boverket and SKL for the public sector, Arkus for the research community and PLAN for the professional forums. There is a general consensus on what public participation is today as well as what problems it faces, with some differing aspects. An imbalance in representation of different social groups where some create a stronger voice and influence than others affect the decision-making, based on lacking resources, apathy concerning the subject or project in question or even existing prejudice. This, in combination with what is considered to be insufficient information and difficult communication in general, leads to misunderstandings and a more arduous planning process. Some point to that the legislature needs additional streamlining and centralisation of decision-making structure while others point to greater dialogue outside existing public hearings with a permanent and continuously updated platform outside the legislature. Modernisation of the general means and technology used in the dialogue seem like the next step and further research should be made on this to determine its effect on public participation and its development.