The “European Handbook for Participation” summarizes activities and experiences made thanks to the URBACT Partecipando project. The Handbook collects analysis, debates and suggestions of polity makers, stakeholders, technical experts and inhabitants coming from different towns involved in the network. The “European Handbook for Participation” sums up the outcomes of workshops and seminars organized by the URBACT Partecipando network. The report presents the inhabitants experiences, their thoughts and wishes to stimulate urban regeneration and improve the participatory process. Therefore, this research reflects local experiences and stimulates the direct inhabitants’ participation in urban changes. 

Over the last few years, the European cities (especially in deprived areas) experienced difficult challenges in their public systems. This crisis is due to many factors and elements which are common to European society as a whole. They are related to the downfall of ideologies, the development of several political parties and the trade unions representatives’ crisis, social breaking up and citizens’ lack of relevance in the decision making process. Monitoring citizens’ participation in  urban regeneration processes is essential in order to promote a sustainable urban development.

The aim of the European Handbook for Participation is to stimulate the development of local participatory processes to ensure the most effective, efficient and sustainable results in urban transformation. The Handbook lists themes and subjects related to citizens’ participation, reporting of its essential principles and the problems encountered in its application. the report provides guidelines and suggestions which may be very useful in experimenting participatory practices and avoiding possible errors. The Handbook is divided into chapters that explore:

The Handbook makes reference to the principles suggested by the European official documents, i.e. the Recommendation by Council of Europe (Rec 2001/19 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the participation of citizens in local public life) and the Saarbrucken Declaration, signed at the European Conference on Urban Futures in 2005. The Saarbrucken Declaration, in particular, describes the essential criteria of the urban approach, giving value to the citizens’ participation in the process of urban regeneration through  an integrated approach. The cities signing the Charter want to add concrete engagement to the principles stated in the above mentioned documents, with the aim of supporting inhabitants’ participation in the implementation of urban public policies. 

An essential element of the Handbook is the illustration of concrete experiences and lessons learned in different towns. The Handbook summarizes inhabitants’ comments and decision makers’ point of view. By doing this the Handbook provides clear examples of how difficult and complex the decision making process is, also due to the several relevant actors involved in this process. Furthermore, the Handbook presents the Participation Charter, a political engagement document for the strengthening of participation signed between all the towns involved in the URBACT Partecipando network.  

Ministry for Infrastructure
Ms. Daniela Versino

12/04/2006

Urbact Programme

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Citizens' participation