Organizing Inclusive and Sustainable Development
Participation as a tool for inclusive and sustainable urban development
E. Hekkema (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Yawei Chen – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Development Management)
T.A.O.E. Esteban – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Development Management)
R.J. Kleinhans – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Urban Studies)
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Abstract
Ensuring inclusive urban development requires a deep understanding of how participatory processes are shaped by the perspectives of practitioners, residents, and policy frameworks. While environmental sustainability remains a key aspect of urban resilience, this research focuses on the often-overlooked social dimension, particularly how participation is conceptualized, facilitated, and experienced across different stakeholder groups.
This research examines how participatory approaches can be designed and implemented to support inclusive and sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of aligning participatory practices with the scale of a project, the characteristics of local communities, and the intended goals of the intervention. Rather than focusing on environmental interventions, this study examines how institutional goals, practical challenges, and community dynamics influence participation itself.
Using a multiple-case study approach, this research compares how municipalities and other stakeholders perceive and apply participatory approaches in various urban contexts. It examines three key aspects: SQ.1 How do municipalities and practitioners view participation in urban development? SQ.2 What are the common barriers and methods regarding public participation in practice in the case-studied areas? SQ.3 What can be learned from the case study areas for a set of guidelines for a durable and inclusive participatory approach selection and implementation?
Through qualitative interviews with both experts and residents, this study offers a comparative analysis of how participation is framed in policy, how it is implemented by practitioners, and how communities experience it. The findings aim to support municipalities and other actors in designing participatory processes that are not only inclusive but also responsive to real-world challenges and community needs. This contributes to more equitable and socially sustainable urban development.