Participatory modelling: precedents and prospects for civil engineering

ABSTRACT

This work provides an analysis for the civil engineering community of the practice of participatory modelling (PM), reviewing the advances that environmental researchers and practitioners have made over 20 years, providing key references, case studies, and practical guidelines. Past consultation methods have proven inadequate to build trust with communities, and have led to development of PM to improve engagement. Three lessons from PM are emphasised: (1) listen to stakeholders to better understand the system, (2) collaborate with stakeholders to better model the system, and (3) co-decide on actions to better empower and engage stakeholders. Advice on the key aspects to consider when designing a PM process is summarised. The challenges and obstacles to progress are analysed for PM in civil engineering applications. PM appears to be of greater value in larger projects involving complex socio-technical systems. The incorporation of PM within civil engineering work will be more useful to society when civil engineers understand better the operation of PM.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaborative decision-making
• resilience planning
• socio-technical systems
• stakeholder engagement

Acknowledgements

This project was possible thanks to the Foundation for the future of Colombia - COLFUTURO, and ScienteLab – Transforming with Science. Special gratitude to: Dr. David Elms for his insights on systems thinking for civil systems engineering, Dr. Rachel Davidson for her perspectives on the cross-fertilisation of methods between civil engineers and social sciences. Thanks also to Dr. Tom Wilson, Dr. Sarah Beaven and Dr. Matthew Hughes for their guidance.

Additional information

Funding

This project was (partially) supported by QuakeCoRE, a New Zealand Tertiary Education Commission-funded Centre. Publication number 0746. Fundación para el futuro de Colombia-COLFUTURO