Mobility systems in municipalities will undergo significant changes over the next years. With increasing car usage among the Dutch population, streets become more crowded. However, with the need to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement, cities must redesign their streets and neighbourhoods to be less car dependent. Given the rising demand for public involvement in decision- making and the introduction of new environmental act, municipalities are legally required to engage citizens, entrepreneurs, and organizations in shaping public spaces. Therefore, it is essential for municipalities to consider how to involve the public to meet these impending legal obligations, especially on emotionally charged topics like parking. In the realm of public participation, numerous new methods are emerging. One such method is the Participatory Value Evaluation Method (PVE). A new research opportunity on the PVE lies between two levels, focusing on a 'street-level' issue on a larger scale.

The central research question in this thesis is: "To what extent does the use of PVE as a participatory method enhance the decision-making process within the mobility sector in Gouda?"

A case study method was used to assess PVE's added value, comparing Gouda with three other case studies using different participation methods on similar policy issues. An interpretivist assessment, involving document analysis and semi-structured interviews, evaluated the ten components of effective participation. The results indicated that PVE is more effective than other methods in achieving policymakers' goals, making participants feel heard, and managing a chaotic process. However, it scored lower in accessibility and inclusivity, with a quarter of participants dropping out and underrepresentation of those with practical education. Some participants felt constrained by the online format, feeling less free to express their views or influenced by the method.

Future research should explore participants' perceptions of being guided by online or deliberative methods and investigate dropout rates within PVE and other methods to improve retention and inclusivity. From a practitioner's perspective, aligning participation goals with policies and understanding which methods best achieve specific goals are essential. Policymakers thereby should reflect on how methods contribute to goal attainment to design more efficient processes.