Public Participation in Question: Urban Planning Frameworks and Informal Practices in Skopje

Abstract

Public participation is a central principle of inclusive urban planning, supported by international frameworks such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11, the EU Directive on Public Participation, the EU Urban Agenda, and the New Leipzig Charter. However, in post-socialist cities like Skopje, the practical application of participation remains limited and uneven. This study critically examines how public participation is framed, implemented, and experienced in Skopje’s urban planning through empirical research conducted between 2022 and 2024. It evaluates both formal mechanisms, including public consultations and regulatory procedures, as well as informal civic initiatives.

Findings reveal a fragmented participatory landscape: while participatory mechanisms are legally embedded, they remain limited in scope and function largely as instruments of procedural compliance. In contrast, informal civic initiatives have taken on a more active role, combining public outreach, educational campaigns and digital tools to influence planning decisions and raise public awareness. The study suggests that advancing towards proactive and inclusive participation will require planning institutions to recognise and integrate these informal practices, while providing accessible tools and structured support that allow citizens to translate lived experience into actionable input.