An assessment of the effectiveness of citizen participation in project planning and implementation for national projects: the case of the Gauteng freeway improvement project (gfip) in Gauteng

Abstract

Stakeholder engagement and participation in policy and project implementation is an essential element of good governance. Public participation should, ideally, enable citizens to shape and influence public policy and also foster a greater understanding and acceptance of policy decisions, thus improving the chances of success at the implementation stage. This research explores and analyses the nature and extent of the public participation process that led to the approval and implementation of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), an unpopular tolling project. Using the GFIP as a case study, this work has analyzed the public participation process and methods that were followed in seeking political and public acceptability for the project. It explores the notions of acceptance, consideration, consensus and dissensus in a representative democracy and how this influences the process of implementing public policy. The findings and conclusion provide an important contribution to the broader discussion on the role of the state, particularly the executive arm, as elected representatives, to public policy implementation. It also highlights the importance of public trust in the success of public policy.