The Citizens' Perspective in a socio-economic evaluation?

The Citizens' Perspective in a socio-economic evaluation?

Flinterman, M.
Glasius-Meier, A.

Verhagen, H.J.

Civil Engineering and Geosciences

2005

The problem formulation of this quick scan is twofold: Is it possible to fully incorporate the citizens' perspective (for example in the form of experiential value) in a socio-economic evaluation? And does it serve a useful purpose? In this context, the concept of the citizen denotes the user of the (project) site, including neighbouring residents, other authorities, companies and interest groups. There are a variety of methods for incorporating the citizens' perspective into an impact assessment. We can make a distinction for instance between interactive incorporation or open plan process, or substantive incorporation, i.e. via a research-based evaluation. To address the problem formulation, a number of key economic evaluation methods will be highlighted first, before concentrating on the methods used to measure experiential value - a substantive approach to defining the citizens' perspective. Lastly, an attempt will be made to set out the practical aspects of the citizens' perspective in a socio-economic evaluation. Integrating the citizens' perspective as a credible component of a socioeconomic evaluation is both a feasible and meaningful activity. Examples include the Multi Criteria Analysis, which typically embraces experiential value as a credible component, or the Economic-Ecological-Emotional method, which plots out economic, ecological and social assessments. Ideally, impact assessments such as MCA or the Economic-Ecological-Emotional method should be carried out interactively in consultation with the general public. This not only strengthens the support base of the project in which the assessment is being conducted, but also the support base of the results of the assessment itself. Consequently, the local knowledge used in the impact assessment is safeguarded. The citizens' perspective can also be incorporated in an SCBA. There is however very little consensuses among experts as to whether this serves a practical purpose. Moreover, the feasibility of monetarising the citizens' perspective is a hotly contested issue in the 'battle of the methods'. In a nutshell, proponents believe that monetarisation is the only viable method for adding credibility to the citizens' perspective; provided it is measured properly and accurately. Opponents raise substantial methodological objections and also refute the usefulness, as they believe (among other things) that politicians themselves are responsible for incorporating the citizens' perspective.

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