A communication framework for public participation in municipal development initiatives

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is a reality that public participation processes in local government do not yieldthe outcomes that reveal a fully optimised process. Communication is thelifeblood of any development initiative (Swanepoel & De Beer, 1996:1) and is oneway of breaking the isolation of people. By having the ability to communicate (i.e.to reach and to be reached) people can truly have a say in matters shaping theircurrent and future reality.The objectives of this thesis were to explore the communication short fallshindering effective participation in local government, and also to provide apractical implementation framework aimed at guiding municipalities incommunication with the view to enhance public participation. This wasaccomplished by way of a literature study and an analysis of the West CoastDistrict (WCD) Communication and Participation Project (2003).In Chapter 1 the thesis topic was introduced and the background to the thesis,the research problem, the design and methodology, as well as the outline of thechapters was explained. In Chapter 2 the key concepts of this thesis werediscussed and included sustainable. development, public participation andcommunication. This selection of concepts is justified by the argument thatcommunication supports public participation, which will in turn promotesustainable development.A description of the WCD Project (2003) findings was provided in Chapter 3,which was followed by an analyses and interpretation of the WCD Projectfindings in Chapter 4. During the analyses a number of observations were made.Firstly, there is a distinct relationship between communication, publicparticipation and sustainable development. Communication facilitates informationsharing which supports informed decision-making during public participation. Thelatter in turn is vital in establishing sustainable development.Secondly, there should be distinguished between community communication andcorporate communication. Dealing with the local community requires a uniqueapproach to communication, which varies from the communication approachfollowed by the internal administration of the municipality.Thirdly, local communities should be consulted to identify and communicate theirunique communication needs, issues and perspectives as they have uniqueknowledge of their own local challenges. These inputs from the community causefor powerful communication content and messages key to successfulparticipation and to sustainable development.Fourthly, that the perceptions as expressed by community members, embodytheir unique and specific communication needs. By converting and translatingcommunity perceptions into community needs. positive motivation for publicparticipation could be created.Based on the findings of the analyses and interpretation of the WCD Projectfindings, a communication framework aimed at enhancing participation wasdeveloped in Chapter 5. The framework focussed on guiding the implementationof communication and participation when embarking on development initiatives.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University