Arnstein's Ladder of Participation

Arnstein's Ladder of Participation is a model that illustrates different levels of public involvement in decision-making processes. It is depicted as a ladder with eight rungs, ranging from "non-participation" at the bottom to "empowerment" at the top. The lower rungs represent minimal engagement or control, where decisions are made without public input. As one moves up the ladder, participation increases in significance and influence, culminating in shared power and control over decisions. This framework highlights the importance of genuine participation and the varying degrees of power shared between authorities and the public in governance and planning.