Public Engagement Approach as a Participation-Oriented Framework with Emphasis on Its Application in Urban Policy Making

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Faculty of Law And Political Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jppolicy.2026.107804

Abstract

This article introduces and examines the "public engagement" approach as a participation-oriented framework in policy-making. It aims to transform public participation from an abstract and general notion into a practical and applicable tool for policymakers. As development perspectives move beyond purely economic views, public participation has become central and is now considered a key pillar of good governance. In this context, the public policy approach helps policymakers determine how to engage the public effectively. Public engagement serves as a practical toolbox, allowing policymakers to define objectives, audiences, and policy contexts, and to make informed decisions on levels, stages, and tools of participation through an actionable plan. This article briefly highlights the potential of applying the public engagement approach in urban policy-making to demonstrate its practical value. However, urban policy-making is only one possible field of application, and the scope of this approach extends as far as the breadth of public participation itself.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Public Policy
Volume 12, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 86-102

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