More participation, more support? A qualitative study on the relationship between citizen participation and public support for the Merwedekanaalzone in Utrecht

Abstract

This qualitative, single-case study examines the relationship between citizen participation and public support for a policy containing a negative externality for said citizens. To that end, I posed the following research question, namely Does citizen participation increase public support for a policy that contains a negative externality for said citizenry? The objective of this research project is to further clarify the relationship between said variables, while creating practical research outcomes of value to actors involved in the participation process for a policy. To that end, I conducted a single-case study, examining citizen participation and public support in the event of the Merwedekanaalzone in Utrecht, an urban construction policy aiming to combine sustainability with high-density, green, urban living. Empirical data was collected by conducting a document analysis, digital ethnography and 12 semi-structured interviews with participating citizens, local businesses, elected and unelected members of the municipality of Utrecht and the Council and a local researcher. Collected data was combined into four participation narratives providing different perspectives on the examined relationship. My field research finds that citizen participation does not increase public support for a policy containing a negative externality but rather has a negative effect on overall public support. The presence of a negative externality serves as a trigger point and motivator for citizen participation. Furthermore, this master thesis highlights the importance of a good working relationship between citizens and administration and a participation trajectory that is perceived favourably by participating citizens and other actors. Based on my field research I recommend municipalities to understand and design citizen participation (trajectories) as more than a tool to create legitimacy and public support for policies and to treat participating citizens with respect by openly and honestly managing expectations tied to the policy process and outcome. Participating citizens can learn from this field research that pursuing the greater good versus considering the interest of individual citizen groups represents a heavy dilemma for elected and unelected officials when participating together with citizens for the realization of a policy.