An appraisal of community participation in physical planning process, ICEME town council.

Abstract

Despite the fact that participatory planning is a prominence concept in physical planning, the concept has not been fully maximized in Uganda. The study title is an appraisal of community participation in physical planning process a case of Iceme Town Council. The main objective of this study was to appraise the community participation in the physical planning process of Iceme town council, Oyam District. The study was also guided by four specific objectives which were to identify the stakeholders who participated in the preparation of Iceme Town Council, to identify the forms of participation used in the physical planning process of Iceme Town council, to identify the challenges of community participation in the preparation of Physical Development Plan and to propose strategies to enhance effective participation in the planning process in Uganda. The researcher employed case study type of design which was used to describe a unit in detail. Four methods of data collection were used which are observation, interview, questionnaire and documentary review. Data was then analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, whereby qualitative method was based on explanations and quantitative method involve the use of calculations, pie charts, percentage and tables among others. Survey found out that four stakeholders participated in the preparation of the plan including community members though their participation was not 100% due to some factors. Some challenges were also faced during participation which discouraged others from participating. Thereafter, strategies were proposed for effective participation among community members. The analysis also showed the benefit of community participation in physical planning which will then encourage community to fully participate in physical planning process. The study then recommended to the stakeholders who participated in the preparation of the plan as follow, community members should establish a local civil society organization to oversee the public funds, they should also change their perceptions about government programmes. To Politicians, the study recommended that, there is need for sensitization and training of community members about their rights and responsibility in physical planning, and others.