Public participation in environmental impact assessment for public projects: a case of non-participation

Public participation in environmental impact assessment is recognised as key to sustainable development. However, its role in public projects in China remains limited. The issue of non-participation is explored by focusing on the attitude and capacity of the citizens who experienced the Wuhan-Guangzhou High Speed Railway project through interviews and field surveys in multiple geographical sites along the line. Passive attitudes and low capacity were observed. While some respondents considered participation in government-owned projects unthinkable, most of them were discouraged by the absence of a sense of security and significance. Institutional barriers identified include a lack of participation channels and project information and the absence of transparent and proper processes of handling social impacts. Policy suggestions beyond the regulatory realm to encourage effective public participation are provided.