Public participation in environmental impact assessment : an effective tool for sustainable development a South African perspective (Gautrain)
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Authors
Aregbeshola, Maryam Titilayo
Issue Date
2009-03
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Public participation , Environmental impact assessment , Integrated environmental management (IEM) South Africa , Sustainable development
Alternative Title
Abstract
The need for public participation in the development of policies, programmes or
actions has been widely accepted by both government and private sectors because
of the benefits of such involvement. Involving the public in the development of any
policy, programme or action is, however, a daunting task. Public involvement in the
development of a policy or action often leads to protest, legal litigation, criticism and
delay in carrying out the project. The main objectives of this research are to examine
the process of public participation in the Gautrain project and to interrogate how
public involvement in the decision-making processes of environmental concerns can
be improved.
A quantitative study was conducted to describe and explore the process of public
participation in the Gautrain environmental impact assessment procedure. The
purposive sampling method was used. Thereafter, the data generated was analysed
using statistical tools such as charts, tables and the Wilcoxon Mann Whitney U test
to examine the similarities and differences in the response patterns of the public and
the project proponent. Cronbach alpha statistical methodology was also used to test
the reliability of the measurement.
The findings are discussed in relation to the objectives of the study and research
hypotheses. The results indicate that (1) the public were not involved early enough
during the project planning and design phases; (2) adequate information was not
provided to the public; and (3) public input does not have much impact on decisionmaking
processes. The study does, however, indicate that the process has
enhanced the participants’ learning and that the process of participation has
improved in recent time as compared to the 2002-2003 periods. The study concludes
by providing relevant solutions and recommendations.
Description
Citation
Aregbeshola, Maryam Titilayo (2009) Public participation in environmental impact assessment : an effective tool for sustainable development a South African perspective (Gautrain), University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2999>