ABSTRACT

We examine how urban planners in Helsinki work as intermediaries to “balance power” between actively participating citizens and more marginalised groups – citizens who do not traditionally participate – in online discussions about urban planning. We study the tensions planners experience while interacting with citizens in online environments, especially on social media. Using a questionnaire and interviews, we report on tensions between planners’ perceptions of active vs. passive roles in social media, equal vs. equitable opportunities to participate, and sides in the debate over allocation of resources. The study shows that engaging marginalised groups requires offline interventionist strategies.

摘要

我们研究了赫尔辛基的城市规划者如何作为中介，以“平衡”积极参与的公民与边缘化群体（传统上不参与的公民）之间有关城市规划的在线讨论。我们在网络环境中，尤其是在社交媒体上，与公民互动时研究紧张局势规划者的经历。通过问卷调查和访谈，我们报告了规划人员在社交媒体中主动与被动角色的看法，参与机会的平等与公平机会之间的紧张关系，以及参与资源分配辩论的各方之间的紧张关系。研究表明，让边缘化群体参与进来需要离线干预主义策略。