Six controversies in search of an epistemology

摘要: Public engagement in planning and siting policy has been a political priority for some time, there are various arguments as to why successful participation consistently proves be an elusive goal. Emphasis is often laid on the incompatibility of local knowledge technical knowledge, failure invite "public" involvement at early stage, so on. In this paper, we examine set controversies about upgraded railway line associated stations six neighbouring municipalities western Sweden. Using parallel focus group discussions with different parties process, draw two main conclusions. Firstly, may equally technorational, yet positioning actors determines when how alternative emerge. This suggests that over necessity social capital red herring. Secondly, processes long drawn-out, new participants appear all way through these processes. The category "the public" fictional remainder which undermines participative approaches. We suggest opposition should understood eternal factor democratic processes, rather than preliminary obstacle can alleviated Hence challenge assumptions rightful temporal practices query notion leads "public ownership" plans.