Towards a Public Participatory GIS-Based Framework for Municipal Solid Waste Management

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is a global controversial environmental challenge globally. Participatory approaches in planning and decision making have been advanced as part of the strategies in order to attain sustainable waste management systems. However, achieving meaningful public participation for such systems is still a challenge. The need therefore remains to explore different ways in which public participation in MSWM can be enhanced. The use of Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) has a potential to increase public participation in MSWM. However, its use still face hurdles from the social, institutional and political aspects that limit "public participation". This paper reports on a study that explores the social, political and institutional challenges affecting public participation in MSWM problem in Uganda. An exploratory study was conducted in Uganda's central region with key stakeholders in MSWM. The results were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the Enhanced Adaptive Structuration Theory (EAST-2) framework. The results show that knowledge and awareness, participant attitudes, institutional practices, political will and legislation are important for successful MSWM participatory planning process.