Title: Involving the public in local air pollution assessment: a citizen participation case study

Authors: Peter Bailey, Steven Yearley, John Forrester

Addresses: Department of Sociology, and Stockholm Environment Institute at York, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK. Department of Sociology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK. Department of Sociology, and Stockholm Environment Institute at York, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK

Abstract: The central theme of this paper is that the assessment of environmental issues requires citizen participation for several reasons, including access to local knowledge, quality assurance and to reveal values and agendas. One methodology for involving the public is presented, based around the case of air pollution assessment in Sheffield. The study procedure of using citizen groups is described, and an analysis of the material from the groups is given. The final section argues that group discussions can be an appropriate methodology for involving the public in environmental assessment, and that the participants were able to comment on the validity and quality of such technical activities as continuous monitoring and computer modelling of air pollution in an urban environment.

Keywords: air pollution; citizen participation; integrated assessment; local knowledge; science studies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1999.002262

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1999 Vol.11 No.3, pp.290-303

Published online: 13 Aug 2003 *

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