2007 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 40-48
Regarding the decision process of the prefectural master plan, it is important to consider the residents' opinions and update the plan accordingly. In Hyogo Prefecture, the prefectural government realized the importance of public involvement in their latest report, which takes into account this involvement as a technique of legal city planning. It was decided that this important technique of public involvement would be used in the prefectural master plan for 2001-2003. Therefore, the Hyogo Prefectural Government values the opinions of its residents.
This study examined the public involvement in the Hyogo Prefectural Government, and we aimed to obtain suggestions regarding the decision process of city planning from a diverse group of residents. In this process, we used various presentation techniques and collected the views of many residents through specifically designed questionnaires. The participants in this research could ask questions to the presenters and share their opinions. This research confirmed that it was important to recommend the use of public involvement techniques, as described in the report, before formulating legal procedures.
