Public Participation in Planning-A Multidimensional Model: The Case of Israel

Discussion of public participation has lacked a comprehensive framework. This paper presents a multidimensional model of public participation with an institutional perspective, designed to facilitate case analysis and enable systematic comparison. The model has three main dimensions: structure, process and actions. Participation structures and processes include organisation, representation, consultation and legal-administrative channels; actions include information exchange and alternative planning. A pilot application of this model framed a case study of public participation in Israel, where objections and appeals are the main channel for public involvement, giving participation an adversarial connotation. Based on the case study, proposals are made for changes to Israeli legislation, practices, and public awareness. The conclusion discusses the model's methodological, policy and practice implications.