Venera Goxha

Abstract

Urbanisation processes in post-conflict territories of the Western Balkans require the develop ment of effective instruments for engaging the population in planning processes to ensure sustainable urban development. Participatory planning in post-conflict urban governance is examined with partic ular attention to how public participation influences the effectiveness of urban development projects in the Western Balkans. The aim of the article is to develop and apply a conceptual framework for as sessing the effectiveness of participatory planning and to identify adaptive participation models in dif ferent institutional contexts. A mixed-methods comparative case study design was employed, combin ing conceptual modelling, comparative legal analysis, and case-based analysis of participatory practices across six Western Balkan countries over the period 1990-2025. The effectiveness of participation was assessed through a multidimensional evaluation system integrating procedural, outcome-based, and sys temic criteria adapted to post-conflict conditions. The analysis indicates considerable variation in partic ipatory effectiveness across national contexts and participation models. Higher effectiveness was associ ated with institutionalised consultation procedures, financial commitments to participatory programmes, and multi-level governance coordination, whereas weak implementation of legal provisions and the cir cumvention of consultation procedures were associated with reduced planning legitimacy and increased public resistance. Digital tools, multi-sectoral dialogue, and academic mediation were found to contribute to more effective participation when supported by stable institutional frameworks.

Keywords: post-conflict territories, spatial planning, decentralisation, participation models, social legitimacy

Venera Goxha [goxhavenera@gmail.com], College UBT, University for Business and Technology Lagja Kalabria, 10000 Prishtina: Kosovo

Citation

APA: Goxha, V. (2026). The impact of public participation on the effectiveness of urban development projects: a case study of cities in the Western Balkans. Europa XXI, 50, 14. https://doi.org/10.7.7163/Eu21.2026.50.14
MLA: Goxha, Venera. "The impact of public participation on the effectiveness of urban development projects: a case study of cities in the Western Balkans". Europa XXI, vol. 50, 2026, pp. 14. https://doi.org/10.7.7163/Eu21.2026.50.14
Chicago: Goxha, Venera. "The impact of public participation on the effectiveness of urban development projects: a case study of cities in the Western Balkans". Europa XXI 50 (2026): 14. https://doi.org/10.7.7163/Eu21.2026.50.14
Harvard: Goxha, V. 2026. "The impact of public participation on the effectiveness of urban development projects: a case study of cities in the Western Balkans". Europa XXI, vol. 50, pp. 14. https://doi.org/10.7.7163/Eu21.2026.50.14