Fatemeh Mahmoudnejad

My research explores pathways to inclusive participation in planning practice, namely co-design in Scotland. Participatory planning practices inherently are mechanisms for democratising decision-making, ensuring that everyone has an active role in making and shaping their places and spaces of everyday life. However, the mere existence of these democratic processes does not ensure an inclusive representation of all voices in civil society because the interest and knowledge of those with power (the louder voices) may dominate. Therefore, despite striving for inclusive participation and empowerment, these processes may inadvertently privilege certain gendered and mainstream interests, leaving less powerful without a voice or much in the way of choice. According to Cornwall (2003), participatory approaches only can make a difference if they are designed to be sensitive to the issue of differences. My research therefore seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of inclusive participation in the context of planning practice, considering the encompassing and complex nature of the notion. As, there is always a chance of gaining width but losing depth when dealing with such complexity. 

Names of Supervisors: 

• Dr Sandra Costa Santos
• Dr Dumiso Moyo