Limits and promises of participatory urban planning: experience from civic advisory boards and urban activists in Tbilisi

english

2025

civic advisory board   Georgia   participatory planning   urban governance   urban movements

Univerza v Ljubljani, Filozofska fakulteta
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Despite efforts to decentralize governance and establish civic advisory boards (CABs) as a mandatory participatory mechanism in Tbilisi, CAB members and urban activists remain dissatisfied with governance and urban planning processes. This study employs qualitative methods, including 34 semi-structured interviews, analysis of administrative data, and a review of legislation and planning docu-ments. It examines participatory urban experiences, assessing the effectiveness of CABs and the role of urban movements. The findings reveal challenges in com-munication, low public awareness, and limited influence on decision-making. CAB members and activists report weak engagement with the mayor’s office and a con-sistent disregard for civic input, resulting in ongoing protests that are dismissed by authorities. Strengthening CABs is crucial to ensuring meaningful citizen partici-pation, bridging the gap between the public and policymakers, and addressing the influence of political and economic elites in urban decision-making.

16.03.2026