STRENGTHEN PATHWAYS FOR DEMOCRATIC DECISION-MAKING & CIVIC PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL AREA PLANNING

• Action 1.4.1 Institute policies and structures for inclusive and effective public engagement at PMC
• Action 1.4.2 Enhance institutional and civic capacities for participatory local area planning, implementation and service delivery
• Action 1.4.3 Undertake pilots of public engagement processes for ward/ neighbourhood level planning and implementation
• Action 1.4.4 Improve voter turnout to make electoral outcomes more representative of wider city population

See details below, and you may provide your comments at the bottom of the page.

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Action 1.4.1 Institute policies and structures for inclusive and effective public engagement at PMC

Lead: PMC

There is no policy or guideline adopted about why, when and how public engagement may be done as part of civic public governance. Pilots are needed to develop and refine methods of inclusive and effective public engagement in the urban context.

• Project 1.4.1.1 Develop a draft policy for sectoral and area-based public engagement for placement before the PMC General Body
• Project 1.4.1.2 Constitute pilots of Area Sabhas as structures for deliberative, democratic public engagement

Action 1.4.2 Enhance institutional and civic capacities for participatory local area planning, implementation and service delivery

Lead: PMC

The ambition of instituting participatory processes must be accompanied with some effort on capacity building to conduct participatory processes in an inclusive, thoughtful and effective manner. This will include supportive administration, trained facilitators, and civic or public capacity to contribute as informed participants.

• Project 1.4.2.1 Create guidelines for public infrastructure and services planning, based on CPHEEO guidelines and URDPFI guidelines, customized for Pune
• Project 1.4.2.2 Orientation programmes on local area planning and public engagement for municipal officials, facilitators, the public, youth

Action 1.4.3 Undertake pilots of public engagement processes for ward/ neighbourhood level planning and implementation

Leads: PMC Ward Offices and sectoral committees

Structured, inclusive, effective forums for public participation help improve social cohesion. Innovations in ICT tools need to be fostered to support meaningful participation.

• Project 1.4.3.1 Conduct and evaluate ward or area level public participatory planning, and on selected themes (see also, actions on participatory planning for mobility (1.2.5.1); biodiversity (2.1.1.1); groundwater (2.1.2.3); pastoral routes (2.1.4.1); waste (2.2.3.3); air quality (2.3.3.4))
• Project 1.4.3.2 ICT for public engagement and Social Accountability – innovations in tools, and pilots of usage in participation processes
• Project 1.4.3.3 Good practice manual on public engagement

Action 1.4.4 Improve voter turnout to make electoral outcomes more representative of wider city population

Lead: PMC Election Department, PMC Ward Offices

Average voter turnout in election is declining, which undermines representation and democracy. The reasons include difficulty in registration in electoral rolls, no options for absentee voters to cast their votes and low visibility of progress made.

• Project 1.4.4.1 Permanent online kiosks to facilitate voter registration
• Project 1.4.4.2 Targeted voting awareness programs for different types of rare & intermittent voters
• Project 1.4.4.3 Facilitate regular, structured and inclusive interactions of the public in each electoral ward with elected and administrative officials