The central issue of this study revolves around public participation in the making and implementation of policy in Mauritius, particularly at the Port Louis’ local government. Public participation is regarded as one of the milestones of democracy and local governance. Local government provides an ideal forum for allowing participatory democracy to flourish as it is closest to the inhabitants. The question of what are the levels of public participation in the making and implementation of policy in Mauritius with reference to the Port Louis’ local government formed the core element of the problem statement of the thesis. Following this, the hypothesis is stated. Attention is devoted on the four objectives of the research questions: What are the key concepts that relate to public participation in the making and implementation of policy at local government level; what impact does the Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius Amendment, 2003 (Act 124 of 2003) and the New Local Government Act, 2005 (Act 23 of 2005) have on public participation in the making and implementation of policy in Mauritius, particularly at the Port Louis’ local government and what modes of public participation are used in the making and implementation of policy at the Port Louis’ local government; and what are the main factors that influence public participation in the making and implementation of policy at the Port Louis’ local government? Within the thesis, the research findings obtained from the questionnaire; and the interviews are analysed and interpreted. Ultimately, in view of the arguments presented in this thesis an attempt was made to provide some recommendations on public participation in the making and implementation of policy in Mauritius, particularly at the Port Louis’ local government. / Public Administration / D.P.A)

Esta pesquisa aborda o uso das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC), em especial a Internet, e dos Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (SIG) para a participação pública no planejamento urbano. Mais especificamente, investiga-se a Participação Pública com Sistema de Informação Geográfica (PPSIG), uma alternativa através da qual o público participa produzindo mapas e/ou dados espaciais que representam a sua percepção do espaço urbano em questão. O trabalho parte do pressuposto de que novas abordagens metodológicas, que façam uso das TIC e dos SIG, tais como a PPSIG, podem aperfeiçoar os processos participativos, pois permitem a criação de técnicas mais interativas, emancipatórias e colaborativas, que encurtam os laços entre o público e os técnicos, bem como entre a sociedade e o governo. A pesquisa se justifica, pois apesar de legislações terem ampliado os canais de participação, as críticas permanecem, evidenciando que existe uma demanda por novas abordagens metodológicas. Ao mesmo tempo, trata-se de entender que novas ferramentas estão disponíveis e precisam ser assimiladas, e, principalmente, de como fazê-lo de maneira adequada. Ainda, faz-se necessário avaliar se a expectativa de que a PPSIG pode ampliar o envolvimento do público no planejamento urbano procede no contexto brasileiro. Assim, com o objetivo de expandir o conhecimento empírico sobre o método PPSIG, ele foi aplicado em dois casos, numa situação prática em Jaguarão (RS), e numa situação simulada sobre a Orla do Guaíba em Porto Alegre (RS), e avaliado do ponto de vista de três grupos de atores: população, técnicos/especialistas, e gestores públicos. Para tal, utilizou-se três diferentes métodos de coleta de dados: a ferramenta PPSIG propriamente dita, questionários e entrevistas. Os resultados sugerem, por exemplo, que há uma boa aceitação ao uso de ferramentas digitais, tais como a PPSIG, por parte da população, técnico/especialistas e gestores públicos. Mais, que o método PPSIG se distingue de outros métodos participativos, pois a percepção da população é coletada de forma automatizada e georreferenciada, o que possibilita que estes dados sejam analisados em conjunto com as demais camadas de informação necessárias ao planejamento urbano, facilitando, assim, a incorporação do conhecimento local no planejamento urbano já na fase propositiva. / This research addresses the use of Information Technology and Communication (ICT), especially the Internet, and of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for public participation in urban planning. More specifically, it investigates the Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS), an alternative through which the public participates by producing maps and/or spatial data that represents their perception of the urban space. It assumes that new methodological approaches, that make use of ICT and of GIS, such as PPGIS can improve participatory processes, enabling to create more interactive, collaborative and emancipatory techniques that shorten the ties between the public and technicians as well as between the society and the government. The research is justified, because although laws have expanded the channels of participation, criticism remains, showing that there is a demand for new methodological approaches. At the same time, it is about to understand that new tools are available and need to be assimilated, and especially of how to do it properly. Also, it is necessary to evaluate whether the expectation that PPGIS can broaden public involvement in urban planning is confirmed in the Brazilian context. Thus, in order to expand the empirical knowledge about the PPGIS method, it was applied in two cases, a practical situation in Jaguarão (RS), and a simulated situation on the Guaíba waterfront in Porto Alegre (RS), and evaluated from the point of view of three groups of actors: the public, technicians/specialists, and public managers. To do this, three different methods of data collection were applied: the PPGIS tool itself, questionnaires and interviews. The results show, for instance, that there is a good acceptance of digital tools usage, such as the PPGIS, by the population, technician/specialist and public managers. Moreover, that the GIS method distinguishes itself from other participatory methods, because it collects the population's perception in an automated and georeferenced way, which enables these data to be analyzed together with other layers of information necessary for urban planning, thereby facilitating local knowledge incorporation in urban planning since the propositional phase.

Esta pesquisa aborda o uso das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC), em especial a Internet, e dos Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (SIG) para a participação pública no planejamento urbano. Mais especificamente, investiga-se a Participação Pública com Sistema de Informação Geográfica (PPSIG), uma alternativa através da qual o público participa produzindo mapas e/ou dados espaciais que representam a sua percepção do espaço urbano em questão. O trabalho parte do pressuposto de que novas abordagens metodológicas, que façam uso das TIC e dos SIG, tais como a PPSIG, podem aperfeiçoar os processos participativos, pois permitem a criação de técnicas mais interativas, emancipatórias e colaborativas, que encurtam os laços entre o público e os técnicos, bem como entre a sociedade e o governo. A pesquisa se justifica, pois apesar de legislações terem ampliado os canais de participação, as críticas permanecem, evidenciando que existe uma demanda por novas abordagens metodológicas. Ao mesmo tempo, trata-se de entender que novas ferramentas estão disponíveis e precisam ser assimiladas, e, principalmente, de como fazê-lo de maneira adequada. Ainda, faz-se necessário avaliar se a expectativa de que a PPSIG pode ampliar o envolvimento do público no planejamento urbano procede no contexto brasileiro. Assim, com o objetivo de expandir o conhecimento empírico sobre o método PPSIG, ele foi aplicado em dois casos, numa situação prática em Jaguarão (RS), e numa situação simulada sobre a Orla do Guaíba em Porto Alegre (RS), e avaliado do ponto de vista de três grupos de atores: população, técnicos/especialistas, e gestores públicos. Para tal, utilizou-se três diferentes métodos de coleta de dados: a ferramenta PPSIG propriamente dita, questionários e entrevistas. Os resultados sugerem, por exemplo, que há uma boa aceitação ao uso de ferramentas digitais, tais como a PPSIG, por parte da população, técnico/especialistas e gestores públicos. Mais, que o método PPSIG se distingue de outros métodos participativos, pois a percepção da população é coletada de forma automatizada e georreferenciada, o que possibilita que estes dados sejam analisados em conjunto com as demais camadas de informação necessárias ao planejamento urbano, facilitando, assim, a incorporação do conhecimento local no planejamento urbano já na fase propositiva. / This research addresses the use of Information Technology and Communication (ICT), especially the Internet, and of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for public participation in urban planning. More specifically, it investigates the Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS), an alternative through which the public participates by producing maps and/or spatial data that represents their perception of the urban space. It assumes that new methodological approaches, that make use of ICT and of GIS, such as PPGIS can improve participatory processes, enabling to create more interactive, collaborative and emancipatory techniques that shorten the ties between the public and technicians as well as between the society and the government. The research is justified, because although laws have expanded the channels of participation, criticism remains, showing that there is a demand for new methodological approaches. At the same time, it is about to understand that new tools are available and need to be assimilated, and especially of how to do it properly. Also, it is necessary to evaluate whether the expectation that PPGIS can broaden public involvement in urban planning is confirmed in the Brazilian context. Thus, in order to expand the empirical knowledge about the PPGIS method, it was applied in two cases, a practical situation in Jaguarão (RS), and a simulated situation on the Guaíba waterfront in Porto Alegre (RS), and evaluated from the point of view of three groups of actors: the public, technicians/specialists, and public managers. To do this, three different methods of data collection were applied: the PPGIS tool itself, questionnaires and interviews. The results show, for instance, that there is a good acceptance of digital tools usage, such as the PPGIS, by the population, technician/specialist and public managers. Moreover, that the GIS method distinguishes itself from other participatory methods, because it collects the population's perception in an automated and georeferenced way, which enables these data to be analyzed together with other layers of information necessary for urban planning, thereby facilitating local knowledge incorporation in urban planning since the propositional phase.

Esta pesquisa aborda o uso das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC), em especial a Internet, e dos Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (SIG) para a participação pública no planejamento urbano. Mais especificamente, investiga-se a Participação Pública com Sistema de Informação Geográfica (PPSIG), uma alternativa através da qual o público participa produzindo mapas e/ou dados espaciais que representam a sua percepção do espaço urbano em questão. O trabalho parte do pressuposto de que novas abordagens metodológicas, que façam uso das TIC e dos SIG, tais como a PPSIG, podem aperfeiçoar os processos participativos, pois permitem a criação de técnicas mais interativas, emancipatórias e colaborativas, que encurtam os laços entre o público e os técnicos, bem como entre a sociedade e o governo. A pesquisa se justifica, pois apesar de legislações terem ampliado os canais de participação, as críticas permanecem, evidenciando que existe uma demanda por novas abordagens metodológicas. Ao mesmo tempo, trata-se de entender que novas ferramentas estão disponíveis e precisam ser assimiladas, e, principalmente, de como fazê-lo de maneira adequada. Ainda, faz-se necessário avaliar se a expectativa de que a PPSIG pode ampliar o envolvimento do público no planejamento urbano procede no contexto brasileiro. Assim, com o objetivo de expandir o conhecimento empírico sobre o método PPSIG, ele foi aplicado em dois casos, numa situação prática em Jaguarão (RS), e numa situação simulada sobre a Orla do Guaíba em Porto Alegre (RS), e avaliado do ponto de vista de três grupos de atores: população, técnicos/especialistas, e gestores públicos. Para tal, utilizou-se três diferentes métodos de coleta de dados: a ferramenta PPSIG propriamente dita, questionários e entrevistas. Os resultados sugerem, por exemplo, que há uma boa aceitação ao uso de ferramentas digitais, tais como a PPSIG, por parte da população, técnico/especialistas e gestores públicos. Mais, que o método PPSIG se distingue de outros métodos participativos, pois a percepção da população é coletada de forma automatizada e georreferenciada, o que possibilita que estes dados sejam analisados em conjunto com as demais camadas de informação necessárias ao planejamento urbano, facilitando, assim, a incorporação do conhecimento local no planejamento urbano já na fase propositiva. / This research addresses the use of Information Technology and Communication (ICT), especially the Internet, and of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for public participation in urban planning. More specifically, it investigates the Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS), an alternative through which the public participates by producing maps and/or spatial data that represents their perception of the urban space. It assumes that new methodological approaches, that make use of ICT and of GIS, such as PPGIS can improve participatory processes, enabling to create more interactive, collaborative and emancipatory techniques that shorten the ties between the public and technicians as well as between the society and the government. The research is justified, because although laws have expanded the channels of participation, criticism remains, showing that there is a demand for new methodological approaches. At the same time, it is about to understand that new tools are available and need to be assimilated, and especially of how to do it properly. Also, it is necessary to evaluate whether the expectation that PPGIS can broaden public involvement in urban planning is confirmed in the Brazilian context. Thus, in order to expand the empirical knowledge about the PPGIS method, it was applied in two cases, a practical situation in Jaguarão (RS), and a simulated situation on the Guaíba waterfront in Porto Alegre (RS), and evaluated from the point of view of three groups of actors: the public, technicians/specialists, and public managers. To do this, three different methods of data collection were applied: the PPGIS tool itself, questionnaires and interviews. The results show, for instance, that there is a good acceptance of digital tools usage, such as the PPGIS, by the population, technician/specialist and public managers. Moreover, that the GIS method distinguishes itself from other participatory methods, because it collects the population's perception in an automated and georeferenced way, which enables these data to be analyzed together with other layers of information necessary for urban planning, thereby facilitating local knowledge incorporation in urban planning since the propositional phase.

A presente pesquisa propôs o desenvolvimento e a aplicação de um web-GIS interativo alimentado por usuários visando ao mapeamento do risco de inundações por meio da coleta de dados de ameaça, exposição e vulnerabilidade percebidos pela população. Foi também estimado o risco de inundação a partir de uma expressão de indicadores propostos por Mendiondo (2008). As duas metodologias foram aplicadas em sub-bacias urbanas da cidade de São Carlos. Foram realizadas entrevistas com a população da cidade para coletar dados de percepção de risco, enquanto se desenvolvia o web-GIS, para o qual, uma vez terminado, foram transferidos os referidos dados online. O portal se mostrou uma ferramenta de uso simples e confiável. As estimativas de risco calculadas por meio da expressão citada levaram a concluir que as sub-bacias com maior risco de inundação são as dos córregos Tijuco Preto e Medeiros. Entretanto, o risco estimado a partir da análise de percepção evidenciou as sub-bacias Gregório e Santa Maria Madalena como as de maior risco de inundação. As duas ferramentas apresentaram-se valiosas e econômicas para estimativa de risco de inundação em ambiente urbano, podendo constituir ótimos sistemas de apoio à decisão. O webGIS, em particular, é potencialmente útil para informar aos moradores sobre quais são as áreas de risco de inundação na cidade. / This dissertation presents the development and application of an interactive web-GIS in which internet users map flood risk collaboratively by filling up a geotagged form with questions on flood hazard, exposure and vulnerability. Flood risk was also assessed through the use of a set of environmental risk indicators proposed by Mendiondo (2008). The two methodologies were applied to six urban watersheds of the city of São Carlos (State of São Paulo, Brazil). Interviews including questions asked on the web-GIS were carried out in city streets while the portal was being developed. Thus perceived risk data gathered from the interviews was later transferred online onto the web-GIS. The web-GIS proved to be an easy to use and intuitive tool. According to the results of risk calculation obtained with the indicators expression the watersheds with higher flood risk were the Tijuco Preto and Medeiros, which were also the ones with smallest area and higher population density. The results of perceived risk, which was assessed through the analysis of the interviews data, gave evidence that Gregorio and Santa Maria Madalena where the watersheds at higher risk. These watersheds are the two which experience a higher rate of occurrence on a year basis. The two approaches for assessing risk proved to be consistent and relatively inexpensive for the estimate of flood risk in urban areas, with the potential of representing valid decision support systems. The webGIS is a particularly interesting solution as a medium of information to inhabitants on the level of risk to which they are exposed.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Democratic systems are dependent on voluntary compliance of citizens to the commands of governments. A decline of public confidence in the public sector is an indicator of fundamental problems in the nature of a democratic system. Constitutional objectives and supporting legislation in South Africa advocates the practice of public participation through the Community Based Public Works Programme and integrated development planning at local council level. The importance of public participation as a vehicle to enhance the social capital of nations cannot be overstated. There are various opinions however of what model of public participation is best suited to the life cycle approach of project management. The literature supports the fact that social capital formation curtails the incidence of crime, poverty and other adverse social evils. A misaligned approach to the application of public participation holds the danger that the socio-economic objectives of government cannot be attained. In this regard, project managers have a responsibility towards government to apply public participation in their projects in such a way that formation of social capital is achieved. In tum, governments should endeavour to apply an appropriate amount of resources to these initiatives to get the critical mass necessary to turn the economy around. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Demokratiese sisteme is afhanklik van die vrywillige onderwerping van landsinwoners aan die eise van hul regerings. 'n Afname in die publiek se vertroue in die publieke sektor is 'n indikator van fundamentele probleme in die samestelling van 'n demokratiese bestel. Konstitusionele mikpunte asook ondersteunende wetgewing in Suid Afrika is bevorderlik vir die gebruik van publieke deelname deur middel van die Departement van Publieke Werke se Publieke Deelname Gebaseerde Program asook die geintegreerde ontwikkelingsprogram van lokale munisipaliteite. Die belangrikheid van publieke deelname as 'n middel waardeur nasionale sosiale kapitaal bevorder kan word kan nie onderbeklemtoon word nie. Daar is nogtans verskeie opinies ten opsigte van watter model van publieke deelname gebruik moet word in die lewenssiklus benadering van projekbestuur. Die literatuur ondersteun die feit dat sosiale kapitaal die voorkoms van kriminele aktiwiteit, armoede en ander negatiewe sosiale euwels bekamp. 'n Ongebalanseerde benadering tot die toepassing van publieke deelname hou die gevaar in dat die nasionale sosio-ekonomiese mikpunte nie behaal sal word nie. Projekbestuurders het daarom 'n verantwoordelikheid teenoor die staat om publieke deelname sodanig in projekte te fasiliteer dat sosiale kapitaal daardeur bevorder kan word. Die staat moet op hulle beurt weer sorg dat daar genoegsame hulpbronne aan hierdie inisiatiewe spandeer word om die kritiese massa te skep wat nodig is om die ekonomie te draai.

Challenges at hazardous waste and contaminated sites are persistent, complex, and multifactorial, and unfortunately the progress in implementing solutions is slow. This delay can be attributed to the lack of collaboration, information transfer to the end-user, and partnership building among academia, government and the affected community. As a solution, Environmental Research Translation (ERT), a framework that is rooted in existing participatory models, and encompasses many of the key principles from informal science education and community-based participatory research is proposed. The ERT framework lead to a community-academic partnership called: Gardenroots: The Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona Garden Project. Vegetable gardening in contaminated soils presents a health hazard. A controlled greenhouse study was conducted in parallel with a co-created citizen science program to characterize the uptake of arsenic by homegrown vegetables near the Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter Superfund Site in Arizona. Community members, after training, collected soil, water and vegetable samples from their household garden. The greenhouse and home garden arsenic soil concentrations ranged from 2.35 to 533 mg kg⁻¹. In the greenhouse experiment four vegetables were grown in three different soil treatments and a total of 63 home garden produce samples were obtained from 19 properties neighboring the site. All vegetables accumulated arsenic, ranging from 0.01 - 23.0 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight. Bioconcentration factors were determined and arsenic uptake decreased in the order: Asteraceae > Brassicaceae >> Amaranthaceae > Cucurbitaceae > Liliaceae > Solanaceae > Fabaceae. Concentrations of arsenic measured in potable water, soils and vegetable samples were used in conjunction with reported US intake rates to calculate daily dose, excess cancer risk and Hazard Quotient for arsenic. Relative arsenic intake dose decreased in order: potable water > garden soils > well washed homegrown vegetables, and on average, each accounted for 79, 14 and 7%, of a residential gardener's daily arsenic intake dose. The IELCR ranges for vegetables, garden soils and potable water were 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁴, 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁴; and 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻², respectively. The ERT framework improved environmental health research, information transfer, and risk communication efforts. Incorporating the community in the scientific process lead to individual learning and community-level outcomes.

This study looks at political culture and socialisation responses to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM). It identifies political culture and socialisation as part of a process, the development of a political culture with specific attitudes, cognitions, and feelings towards the political system. Political culture and socialisation impart the knowledge of how to act politically, i.e. how to apply values in formulating demands and making claims on the political system. They form a connecting link between micro- and macro-politics. The study maintains that political orientations are handed down from one generation to another, through the process of political socialisation. Top-down and bottom-up influences come into play to augment a discourse on the global nature of political socialisation and the political culture of international societies with regard to IWRM and governance ideologies. It is argued that these international ideas become relevant in the national political agenda, civil society organisations and trans-national networks. The IWRM aspects of water as an economic good and a basic human right have become a two-edged sword in the South African context. The study reveals that politics stand at the epicentre of water problems, and that IWRM is a political-ethical issue which challenges power bases in many communities. The IWRM global norms of equitable, efficient and sustainable use of water resources have become a major problem in a water-scarce country burdened with economic inequalities and abject poverty. This is a pressing issue because there is an increasing demand for water to sustain the development necessary to redress the draconian ills of the apartheid past. This becomes evident in the fundamental legislative overhaul that has taken place since 1994, embracing a transformation culture that glorifies the norm of water not only as a fundamental human right, but also as a commodity that is necessary to sustain human dignity. It is here that water is politicised. Violent protests have erupted in reaction to perceived neo-liberal attempts to deny the poor their access to this resource. The political culture and socialisation responses as far as IWRM is concerned appear within fragmented lines, i.e. mainly black and poor communities embrace a culture of non-payment for services and resort to violent protests as a viable method to raise their concerns. In contrast, the white and middle-class communities manifest a tendency to form parallel local government structures; they then withhold rate payments and provide services for themselves through ratepayer associations. Finally, the study considers the South African context with regard to the manifestations of political culture, and how this influences water resources. It is evident that there is too much emphasis on politics at the expense of discussions on IWRM. Civil society organisations make very little attempt to encourage public participation in water management structures. It also appears that political elites who are disillusioned with civil society organisations tend to derail their efforts to educate the public on water management structures. / MA, Political Studies, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

Magistriniame darbe, naudojant teisės aktų, dokumentų, parengtų programų ir priemonių, statistinių duomenų bei mokslinės literatūros analizės metodą, analizuojamas Lietuvos Respublikos grįžtamosios migracijos politikos formavimas ir įgyvendinimas. Naudojant pusiau struktūruotą interviu, pristatomas valstybės institucijų darbuotojų (interviu atliktas su 8 specialistais) požiūris į teikiamų paslaugų administravimą ir įgyvendinimą. Darbo tikslas yra ištirti grįžtantiems migrantas teikiamų paslaugų ir programų administravimo sistemos ypatumus Lietuvos Respublikoje. Darbe tiriama 2010 – 2014 m. laikotarpio Lietuvos Respublikos grįžtamosios migracijos politika bei ją administruojančių Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybės, tiesiogiai vyriausybei pavaldžių institucijų veikla bei darbuotojų požiūris į vykdomas programas. Darbe iškelti tokie uždaviniai: 1. Išanalizuoti Lietuvoje esamą grįžtamosios migracijos situaciją. 2. Atsižvelgiant į Naujosios viešosios vadybos elementus decentralizavimą ir dalyvavimą, aptarti visuomenės įsitraukimo lygį į grįžtamosios migracijos politikos formavimą. 3. Išanalizuoti pagrindines valstybės valdymo institucijas, administruojančias Lietuvos Respublikos grįžtamosios migracijos politiką. 4. Išanalizuoti Lietuvos institucijų parengtas programas, skirtas grįžtamajai migracijai skatinti. 5. Ištirti, kaip vertina Lietuvos Respublikos valstybinių institucijų darbuotojai grįžtamosios migracijos vykdomas programas. Pirmajame skyriuje pristatoma darbe naudojama... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The purpose of this paper is to explore the administration system of returning migrant’s services and programs in the Republic of Lithuania. The examination of the law, documents, prepared programs and strategies, statistics and scholar literature was used as a method for further analysis. The presentation provides a broad overview of return migration policy in Lithuania of 2010 – 2014 period, priorities of government and the attitude of government institutions staff towards return migration programs. In order to present the aims and opinions of the particular officers about the relevant problems, related to the formation and the implementation of the return migration policy, half-structured interviews were used (8 interview were taken). The paper has these following tasks: 1. Analyze current situation of return migration in Lithuania. 2. In view of the New Public Management elements of decentralization and participation, to discuss public involvement into return migration policy. 3. To analyze the main public government institutions working with return migrants in Lithuania. 4. To analyze the main Lithuanian programs that encourage return migration. 5. To investigate government institution attitude to the return migrations programs. The work consists of three main sectors. The first section presents the work using the New Public Management paradigm and its assumptions of return migration policy. The second section describes the concept of return migration, motives and types... [to full text]

Ce mémoire de maîtrise s’intéresse aux exercices participatifs liés à la planification et à la gouvernance des infrastructures routières en milieu urbain. Une étude de cas a été effectuée concernant la modernisation de la rue Notre-Dame. Celle-ci alimente des controverses socio-politiques depuis plus de 30 ans et une décision publique est attendue. Pour arriver à un compromis satisfaisant, les élus ont convié les acteurs socio-économiques à participer à un débat public. L’analyse de cas a permis de rendre compte de la variété des acteurs en présence et de la diversité des demandes formulées à l’occasion du débat public. Si les demandes formulées peuvent parfois être compatibles, l’étude de cas montre que ces demandes peuvent aussi s’éloigner les unes des autres, cela s’expliquant avant tout par la spécificité et la position des acteurs en présence. Les élus municipaux et provinciaux sont alors placés dans une position complexe, puisqu’ils doivent rendre une décision publique. L’analyse a permis de rendre compte des bénéfices, mais aussi des limites du débat public organisé par rapport à l’enjeu de la modernisation de la rue Notre-Dame. L’étude de cas révèle finalement que certaines limites ont trait à la participation des acteurs aux processus de consultation publique. En fait, trois discours majeur s’affrontent. Chacun d’eux appréhende à partir de valeurs distinctes la question de la régulation sociale et l’élaboration des politiques publiques. / This master's thesis is an analysis of participative mechanisms in the planning of road infrastructures in urban zones. The modernization of Notre-Dame Street, in Montréal, for which a decision has yet to be made, and which has been the object of controversy over the past thirty years, serves as a case study. In order to arrive at a compromise, elected representatives agreed to have several actors participate in public consultations. The analysis centers around requests formulated by participants in the course of these consultations. While the requests that were made were quite similar, they were also very different, thus rendering the actors' other characteristics irrelevant from an analytical standpoint. Municipal and provincial representatives were then placed in a difficult position if they were to modernize the main highway. This entailed arriving at a sociopolitical compromise. In fact, three main discourses characterized the debate. Each of them dismissed, in various ways, matters related to social regulation and public policy. This analysis finally illustrates the limits of public consultation on actors' participation.