The aim of the article. The aim of the article is to select the optimal level of citizens participation in city development strategic planning and to suggest the role that citizens can play in the development of public services for them. The paper analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of citizens participation into the designing of a strategic plan for city development, as well as determines the desired level of such participation and identifies a new role that can be played by the inhabitants in the of process of the city development strategic plan creation. There were done the survey of employees of local self-governments from 107 cities of all Ukraine's regions, conducted through questionnaires and focus groups. Results of surveys and discussions are compared with current theories of local development and marketing managing. The results of the analysis shows that the current level of informational technologies development in Ukraine, social and political situation in small and middle cities create opportunities to transform citizens from passive observers into prosumers. Urban development must ensure "civilized society" for their residents that is one which demonstrates rather high level of welfare, culture, education and technological development. The concept of "civilization" declare the ability to make decisions concerning the person's present and future and community, of which he or she is a member. If city residents can not influence the actions of local authorities, to participate directly in local government, it cannot be said that they live in a civilized society. In modern scientific literature and journalism instead of the term "civilized society" in this sense is often used the term "civil society". Political scientists and sociologists actively explore issues of converting the inhabitants of European cities in conscious socially active citizens, with their distinct social position. Of course, increasing social activity of people affects the process of area's economic development. The idea of involving customers into the process of product design is not new in marketing that is why we can adopt this experience into the practice of local administration service providing. As the conclusions it was stated that if there is a willingness to spend on strategic planning at least six months, we recommend to combine different methods of strategic plan preparation with an emphasis on citizens participation. High levels of public involvement in the process of city development strategic planning requires a change in the role of citizens in the process. Residents of the city should feel like creators and owners of the strategic plan. Only under such conditions in modern Ukraine can ensure further implementation of these plans. To convert city inhabitant from product consumer into prosumer is desirable for local authorities, as increasing the likelihood that a city dweller will be pleased with the services offered in the city, on the formation of which he or she had a direct impact. Accordingly, we can expect political and financial support for the city authorities. Simultaneously, the local government should be aware that prosumer will not be satisfied only with the participation in creating of city development strategic plan, but also wants to influence the other, non-strategic decisions taken by local authorities. That is why the search of ways to improve the transparency of government and its interaction with the public in making the widest possible range of solutions is becoming urgent.
