The thesis examines how have social media channels been used to further public participation in the planning process of the Estonian National Spatial Plan 2030+, and how can the channels be used to support planning processes more generally according to the theory. The project will link both theoretical and empirical types of analysis.
The thesis has two substantive parts. Theoretical analysis covers communicative planning and usage of social media channels in it as a context for empirical analysis. Empirical analysis is exercised through a single case study of Estonian National Spatial Plan 2030+. In order to understand the case study, Estonian planning context in terms of communicative planning and use of social media channels is introduced.
The thesis concludes that the social media channels could benefit planning processes and help to involve more participants, but they should be used together with other public involvement methods. Through the empirical analysis merged that the channels are best for information sharing, and secondary for encouraging public discussions.