Participation of disadvantaged communities in project planning and decision‐making: A case‐study of Hout Bay

Opportunities for public involvement in planning and decision‐making, especially among disadvantaged groups, are extremely limited in South Africa. This is due to a highly centralised, deeply authoritarian and secretive system of government, and the élitist approach of professionals to planning. This article examines the challenges facing professionals and authorities seeking to involve disadvantaged communities in project planning. An assessment of the public participation process in a project for resettling informal settlers in the residential area of Hout Bay affords some ideas for surmounting obstacles to effective participation.