ABSTRACT
This chapter shows the local governments' perspectives on participatory planning issues and how to provide an enabling environment for public participation in local governments. It discusses the importance of local level and public participation in reducing climate change impacts. The chapter provides an overview regarding public participation in Iranian local government by analysing the structure of local government, its role and influence in urban management and development plans and the special role of the city council in this regard. The proposed recommendations provide frameworks which advocate the empowering of citizens to participate in their own development decision-making, in partnership with local government. The evidence shows that insufficient consideration has been paid to public participation, and existing policy frameworks, institutional mechanisms and initiatives are failing to comply with the government's constitutional and statutory obligations in this regard. The chapter discovers the legislative frameworks and initiatives of public participation in local government.
