| dc.description.abstract | At the end of 1997 conclusions and generalization about the real state of the Lithuanian Republic territory analysis were experimentally presented to the Lithuanian society for discussion. The a discussion occurred, and now it is useful to analyse it scientifically and evaluate the place and importance of participants, exectiveness of management, and to reveal mistakes. In a formal evaluation of the public participation process it was going on in an established order. Most participants concluded that this process was important, necessary, useful, valuable and that this discussion was an innovative phenomenon of territory planning in Lithuania. Firstly, it is a unique experience for people who organize similar public participation processes, for participants of these processes, theorists and practicians of teritory planning, sociologists and politicians. Secondly, this discussion attracted attention of territory planning officials, press as well as district and local authorities. If the problems had been formulated more precisely and means chosen more attentively, the results could have been much better. It is a pity that other stages of the foreseen program did not occur. After the second stage of the discussion one year has already passed and that is why part of the results obtained are not suitable any more. After the presentation of the decisions of the country’s comprehensive plan which is at its final stage, a lot of efforts must be made to attract public attention to this project. Thirdly, during this discussion a lot of valuable remarks and suggestions were received. Final decisions will show whether these remarks and suggestions were taken into consideration. It must be noted that the society presented its opinion on the most urgent questions of territory development. Fourthly, the results of this process arc important from the methodical and managerial points of view, and also in law making and development. The main problem of the discussion was solved: the conditions for everyone who wanted to express his oppinion, to present suggestions and remarks, were created. However, part of the foreseen problems were not solved. According to the results of the discussion one cannot determine which society groups might be interested in the comprehensive plan decisions and the results of their realization. Also we cannot determine optimum ways of co-operating with the society. To attract attention of different society groups to the project, we need to organize the process in another way. choose different means, differentiate meetings, narrow the discussion object. Rules and regulations of planning do not exactly determine the relation between the process participants, co-operation principles, and duties. Success of such a process depends on participants’ point of view, a correct process vision, precisely chosen means. In the discussions programme organized by the Social Information Centre participants and their possible position, local authorities and business associations. politicians were improperly evaluated. Cooperation business structures or politicians, society organizations or representatives of state institutions, different means should be applied. Besides, the chosen means did not challenge the discussion, there was lack of time for preparing meetings, evaluating the results, success, failures and consequences of the previous discussion. The society was not sufficiently informed about the material considered. The public participation program should be corrected according to the experience acquired. | eng |
