Fourteenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

Contemporary urban planning increasingly relies on democratic involvement. Critics argue that tokenistic participation is biased, manipulative and often fails to address broader community needs. However, research on varying levels of community participation advocates co-decision, co-production, co-creation and collaborative engagement at higher levels of the participatory ladder. Therefore, this research explores participant’s hedonic experience in contributing to place co-creation. Crow Island Beach Park in Sri Lanka serves as a case study for this qualitative exploration. Sixteen individuals involved in the beach park’s development were interviewed using purposive snowball sampling. Data were collected through content analysis and concurrence analysis. The findings reveal a heightened hedonic experience among individuals engaged beyond tokenism, with many expressing continued commitment to place-co-creation. This research provides valuable insights for planners, environmental managers and policymakers to promote active community involvement in sensible and sustainable place-making.