Unveiling the public voices: Analysis of public participation in urban master plans in Portugal

With the accelerated urban growth, there is a pressing need to change the paradigm towards more sustainable development. Urban planning is at the core of this challenge of bringing sustainable development while delivering quality of life and well-being. This study investigates the dynamics of public participation in Urban Master Plans (UMPs) in Portugal. Three UMP processes in Portugal were scrutinised using a content analysis approach. The public participation reports of UMPs were analysed to understand the main issues that motivated participation and how public involvement is sought. The study reveals that the public participation process was tokenistic and predominantly driven by individual contributions focused on private interests, with limited focus on sustainability-related issues such as green spaces and affordable housing. To address these challenges, decision-makers and urban planners must prioritise early engagement and transparency in decision-making, leveraging diverse methodologies to foster trust and equitable, sustainable outcomes. • UMPs provide a framework for making development decisions on urban life. • This research explored the issues that motivate public participation in UMP. • Most of the contributions were individual and focused on private interests. • Green spaces, soft mobility and access to public equipment were rarely mentioned. • Increasing options for meaningful and transparent public participation is key.