A systems thinking approach to inclusive governance

Abstract

This article explores the correlation between participatory urban development, multi-scale policymaking, and the integration of citizen participation data throughout the policy cycle by proposing a systems approach. These aspects are rarely covered in academic literature. Through a review of peer-reviewed and other reputable literature, it seeks to define inclusive participation and examine mechanisms of participation in current urban governance practice using case studies. The article then discusses a multi-scale policymaking methodology to address the complexity of urban participation. This approach is grounded in systems thinking, which provides a framework for understanding complex systems by analyzing interrelationships, feedback loops, and the dynamics shaping system behavior.