Planning: Findings from the Pilot Studies

Abstract

We assess nine planning indicators in this chapter—planning mandate, capacity of the planning agency, effectiveness of the planning process, transparency in the working of the planning agency, public participation in planning, legislative review–capacity, and public participation, and engagement of consultant/advisory groups by the planning agency. The selected cities are rated quite highly on the planning mandate in statutory requirements, planning capacity and their effectiveness. Most cities are rated quite low on enabling public participation and transparency in the working of the planning agency. Most cities did not require a mandated legislative review. Even where the legislative review is required, they are rated quite low on transparency or public participation in such a process. Nonetheless most cities are rated quite highly on the engagement of consultant/advisory groups and the way in which they are objectively treated.