Participatory Planning of Open Public Spaces with an Emphasis on Smaller Settlements

The handbook titled “Participatory Planning of Open Public Spaces with an Emphasis on Smaller Settlements” was published within the framework of the National Spatial Order (DPR) by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning (MNVP) in cooperation with the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS) as the main partner, and the Urban Planning Institute of Ljubljana (LUZ, d.d.).

It highlights the benefits of participation for various target audiences and provides recommendations on how to design and implement the process of participatory planning of open public spaces. Special attention is given to smaller settlements, where the majority of people in Slovenia live. Although the content of the handbook is primarily focused on processes for managing open public spaces, it can also be meaningfully applied to other spatial planning content and procedures.

The handbook is primarily intended for those most directly involved in the processes of participatory planning of public open spaces, namely public administration officials and public service providers, as well as other stakeholders who, at the local level, are responsible for various aspects of public area management (municipalities, participation implementers, residents, and others). At the same time, the handbook is an invitation to all interested parties to find inspiration within it for seeking new solutions for the common benefit of the local population and the environment.