Rethinking participation in urban planning: analytical and practical contributions of social network analysis

Abstract Citizen participation is essential in urban development, but existing participation methods often neglect the complex informal relationships among stakeholders, limiting broader engagement. This study uses a narrative review to explore how relational approaches and social network analysis (SNA) affect participation in urban planning. It proposes an analytical framework combining relational approaches and SNA to understand the role of social interactions in decision-making. Unlike traditional methods that focus on individual or group attributes, SNA emphasizes social connections and interactions. The study shows how urban development decision-makers can use SNA to foster inclusive practices, improve coordination, and build trust between planners and residents. SNA enables better information flow, addresses power imbalances, and enhances community representation, especially for marginalised groups. This approach leads to more resilient and equitable urban environments. The findings suggest that urban planners can use SNA to design more inclusive decision-making processes, aligning with the sustainable development goals.