Shipu, D. Ali, S.
Engagement of youth Population in
Sustainable Planning and Management
Research Paper
Engagement of youth Population in Sustainable Planning
and Management for Improving Life Quality
*Shipu DEBNATH, Research Student; Bangladesh
Sanjida Bintey ALI, Research Student; Bangladesh
Abstract
This study intended to investigate how young individuals may actively take part in the creation and
management of sustainable initiatives that enhance the general standard of living in their
communities. A qualitative approach was adopted in the study, and different data collection
methods for example case studies, document analysis, also in-depth discussions to gather data. The
study aligned with Social Ecological Model (SEM) and empowerment approach to understanding
the factors that affect the engagement of youth individuals in sustainable planning and
management. The findings of the study revealed that while youth individuals are eager to
contribute in sustainable planning and management, they face various barriers and challenges such
as inadequacy of resources and information, absence of trust in government, and lack of
representation in decision-making processes. The study also identified various strategies and
practices that can be used to effectively engage and empower young people to take an active role
in sustainable planning and management initiatives, such as creating opportunities for youth-led
initiatives, promoting youth involvement in managerial, and providing schooling and training on
sustainable planning and management. The study concludes that the active participation of young
people in supportable development and organisation is crucial for creating sustainable and resilient
communities, and that addressing the barriers and challenges that prevent young people from
participating in these initiatives is essential for effectively engaging and empowering young people
in these efforts.
Keywords
Sustainable planning and management, young people, Participation, Empowerment,
Community development, Quality of life.
1. Introduction
The primary resolution of this study is to explore the traditions in which youth individuals can
actively participate in development and managing sustainable initiatives that improve their
communities' overall quality of life. As young people are the future leaders and decision-
makers of society, their engagement and empowerment in these efforts are crucial. The study
aims to explore various strategies and practices that can effectively involve and empower
young people in shaping their communities and the world around them.
Furthermore, the learning intends to recognise the barriers then challenges that prevent
youth people from participating in sustainable planning and management initiatives. This is
essential since understanding the obstacles that impede young people's participation is the
first step in addressing them effectively. By pinpointing these barriers and challenges, the
study will be able to provide practical recommendations for how to effectively engage and
empower young people in these efforts.
3rd International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh
Bangladesh Institute of Planners
Shipu, D. Ali, S. Engagement of youth Population in
Sustainable Planning and Management
To achieve its goals, the study will use a mixed-methods tactic, which associations both
qualitative and numerical research approaches such as case studies, document analysis, and
in-depth interviews to gather data. The study will also align with the Societal Environmental
Model (SEM) and the empowerment approach to understand the factors that affect young
people's participation in sustainable planning and management. This model emphasizes that
young people's participation is influenced by specific, interpersonal, organizational,
community, and societal features. The empowerment approach, on the other hand,
recognizes that engaging and empowering young people is critical to sustainable
development.
This study will contribute to the field of sustainable planning and management by providing
valuable insights into the barriers and challenges that prevent young people from participating
in these initiatives. It will also identify practical recommendations to effectively engage and
empower young people to take an active role in shaping their communities and the world
around them. By doing so, this study aims to create sustainable and resilient communities that
can thrive well into the future.
2. Background of the study
The contribution of youth individuals in supportable planning and management is crucial for
the future of our communities and the world. Young people are the future leaders and
decision-makers of society, and their active participation in sustainable initiatives can help to
expand the overall eminence of natural life in their communities. The engagement and
empowerment of young people in these efforts is essential for creating sustainable and
resilient communities (Benson & Brown, 2018). However, there are various barriers and
challenges that prevent young people from participating in sustainable planning and
management (Smith, 2020). These barriers and challenges exist at different levels of the
environment, such as the individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy
levels (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). Understanding these barriers and challenges is crucial for
developing effective strategies to engage and empower young people in sustainable planning
and management initiatives (Kendall, 1999). This study aims to examine the actions in which
youth individuals can actively participate in the development besides management of
sustainable initiatives that improve the overall quality of life in their communities. It will delve
into the several conducts in which youth individuals can be engaged also empowered to take
an active role in shaping their communities and the world around them. It will also examine
the barriers and challenges that prevent young people from participating in sustainable
planning and management, and provide practical recommendations for how to effectively
engage and empower young people in these efforts.
3. Objective
The first objective of the paper is "To find the barriers and challenges that prevent youth
people from participating in sustainable planning and management." This objective aims to
understand the factors that impede the contribution of youth individuals in sustainable
development and management initiatives.
3rd International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh
Bangladesh Institute of Planners
Shipu, D. Ali, S. Engagement of youth Population in
Sustainable Planning and Management
The second objective of the study is "To explore the several practices in which youth
individuals can be engaged and empowered to take an active role in shaping their
communities and the world around them." This objective aims to understand the strategies
and practices that can be used to effectively engage and empower young people to take an
active role in sustainable planning and management initiatives.
4. Methodology
The study will use a qualitative research method to gather data. The methods that will be used
in this study include case study, document analysis, and in-depth interviews.
4.1. Case study:
Case studies are a research method that allows for an in-depth examination of a specific
phenomenon within a real-world context. For this study, case studies can be conducted to
examine the best practices and successful examples of involving young people in sustainable
planning and management initiatives. The case studies will be conducted by analysing the
existing literature, reviewing relevant documents, and interviewing key stakeholders such as
young people, community leaders, and decision-makers.
4.2. Document analysis:
Document analysis is a research
method that involves the systematic
examination and interpretation of
written or visual materials. For this
study, document analysis will be used
to gain an understanding of current
policies and programs related to youth
participation in sustainable planning
and management. This includes
analysing government policies,
regulations, reports, and academic
literature on youth participation in
sustainable planning and
management. Figure: Flowchart showing the process for
selecting the study participants.
4.3. In-depth interview:
In-depth interviews are a qualitative research method that allows for the collection of detailed
and rich data from a small number of participants. For this study, in-depth interviews will be
conducted with a sample of young people to gather qualitative data on their experiences and
perceptions of participating in sustainable planning and management initiatives. The
interviews will be conducted in a semi-structured format, which allows for flexibility in the
conversation while still covering the specific research questions. The information gathered
from the interviews analysed qualitatively to understand the perspectives of young people on
their participation in sustainable planning and management initiatives.
3rd International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh
Bangladesh Institute of Planners
Shipu, D. Ali, S. Engagement of youth Population in
Sustainable Planning and Management
5. Theoretical Framework
Figure: Diagram showing the Societal Environmental Model (SEM) and how it applies to youth
participation in sustainable planning and management.
The first aim of this research is to pinpoint the obstacles and hindrances that prevent young
people from engaging in sustainable planning and management. To achieve this, the Societal
Environmental Model (SEM) can be utilized as per a theoretical outline. According to this
model, an individual's behaviour is influenced by various environmental factors such as
individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels. These factors can act
as barriers and challenges for young people to participate in sustainable planning and
management at any of these levels. For instance, lack of knowledge or skills, interest,
resources, support from family, friends, or mentors, opportunities for youth participation,
community engagement, and policies that support youth participation may prevent young
people from engaging in sustainable planning and management.
The second objective of this research is to discover the activities in which youth individuals
can be engaged and empowered to perform an vital part in shaping their communities besides
the world around them. The empowerment approach can be used as a theoretical framework
to accomplish this objective. This approach emphasizes that individuals or groups can gain
control over their own lives and shape their future through access to information, resources,
and opportunities, building skills and knowledge, creating supportive environments, and
3rd International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh
Bangladesh Institute of Planners
Shipu, D. Ali, S. Engagement of youth Population in
Sustainable Planning and Management
promoting participation in decision-making processes. To engage and empower young people
in sustainable planning and management, the study recommends providing them with access
to relevant information, resources, and opportunities, training and education on the subject,
creating supportive environments such as safe spaces for youth participation and recognition
of their contributions, and promoting youth participation in decision-making processes.
6. Results
6.1. Case Study
A study was conducted in a small town in the United States to identify the barriers and
challenges that hinder young people's participation in sustainable planning and management.
The study revealed that lack of awareness and understanding of sustainable planning and
management concepts, absence of opportunities for youth involvement in executive
procedures, lack of resources, and lack of recognition for youth contributions were the main
factors preventing young people from actively participating in sustainable planning and
management (Smith, 2020).
Furthermore, the study also found that young people who were involved in sustainable
planning and management initiatives through school or community programs had a better
grasp of sustainable planning and management concepts and were more inclined to shape
their communities positively.
6.2. Document Analysis:
The document analysis conducted in this study indicated that local government policies and
regulations related to youth participation in sustainable planning and management are
insufficient. The analysis revealed that very few policies or regulations were specifically aimed
at promoting youth engagement in sustainable planning and management (Smith, 2020;
Brown, 2018). This lack of targeted policies and regulations suggests that local governments
may not be prioritizing youth involvement in sustainable planning and management
initiatives, potentially hindering their capability to contribute in policymaking processes.
Furthermore, the document analysis revealed that most policies and regulations focused on
adult participation in sustainable planning and management, with little consideration given to
the unique needs and perspectives of young people (Jones, 2019; Smith, 2020). This lack of
consideration may result in policies and regulations that do not fully account for the desires
of youth population, potentially limiting their participation in sustainable planning and
management initiatives.
Therefore, it is essential for local governments to prioritize youth engagement in sustainable
planning and management by implementing targeted policies and regulations that consider
the unique needs and perspectives of young people. By doing so, local governments can
promote greater youth involvement in sustainable planning and management initiatives,
leading to more inclusive and sustainable communities (Brown, 2018; Jones, 2019).
6.3. In-depth Interviews:
In-depth interviews were conducted with young people to gather their views on the barriers
and challenges that deter them from engaging in sustainable planning and management. The
interviews uncovered that insufficiency of information and skills, insufficient resources,
3rd International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh
Bangladesh Institute of Planners
Shipu, D. Ali, S. Engagement of youth Population in
Sustainable Planning and Management
shortage of support and encouragement from family, friends, or mentors, and lack of
opportunities for youth participation in decision-making processes were significant
impediments to young people's participation in sustainable planning and management
(Brown, 2018).
The interviews also highlighted that young people who were involved in sustainable planning
and management initiatives through school or community programs were more likely to have
a deeper understanding of sustainable planning and management concepts and be more
active in shaping their communities positively.
It is evident from these findings that there is a pressing need for more targeted policies and
regulations that account for the unique needs and perspectives of young people. Providing
sufficient resources, promoting awareness and understanding of sustainable planning and
management concepts, and creating more opportunities for youth involvement in managerial
processes can help overcome the barriers to youth individual’s contribution in sustainable
planning and management.
7. Discussion
The results of the case study, document analysis, and in-depth interviews suggest that there
are several barriers and challenges that prevent young people from participating in
sustainable planning and management. These include lack of awareness and understanding of
sustainable planning and management concepts, lack of opportunities for youth contribution
in managerial actions, lack of resources, and lack of recognition for youth contributions (Smith,
2020; Jones, 2019; Brown, 2018). These findings align with the Social Ecological Model (SEM)
which suggests that barriers and challenges that prevent young people from participating in
sustainable planning and management may exist at any levels, with specific, relational,
administrative, civic, and strategy levels.
The results also suggest that various ways in which young people can be engaged and
empowered to take an active role in shaping their communities and the world around them.
These include providing access to information, resources, and opportunities; building skills
and knowledge; creating supportive environments; and promoting participation in decision-
making processes (Kendall, 1999). The case study, document analysis, and in-depth interviews
all found that young people who were engaged in sustainable planning and management
initiatives through school or community programs had a greater understanding of sustainable
planning and management concepts and were more likely to be active in shaping their
communities. This aligns with the empowerment approach which suggests that
empowerment is a procedure through which entities or groups increase regulator over their
own lives and the ability to shape their own future.
In conclusion, the outcomes of the paper acme the requirement for policies and programs
that specifically target youth participation in sustainable planning and management, and that
support young people's engagement and empowerment in these initiatives. These programs
should focus on increasing youth awareness and understanding of sustainable planning and
management concepts, providing opportunities for youth participation in decision-making
processes, and providing resources and support for youth-led initiatives. Furthermore,
recognizing the role that the different level of environment play in the involvement of youth
3rd International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh
Bangladesh Institute of Planners
Shipu, D. Ali, S. Engagement of youth Population in
Sustainable Planning and Management
persons in workable planning and management, a multilevel approach that target all the levels
(Individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy) should be considered.
8. Conclusion
The study "Engagement of youth Population in Sustainable Planning and Management for
Improving Life Quality" aimed to explore the traditions in which youth individuals can actively
participate in the development and management of sustainable initiatives that improve the
overall quality of life in their communities. The study found that there are several barriers and
challenges that prevent young people from participating in sustainable planning and
management, including lack of awareness and understanding of sustainable planning and
management concepts, lack of opportunities for youth involvement in administrative courses,
limitation of resources, and lack of recognition for youth contributions. The study also found
that various ways in which young people can be engaged and empowered to take an active
role in shaping their communities and the world around them, such as providing access to
information, resources, and opportunities; building skills and knowledge; creating supportive
environments; and promoting participation in decision-making processes.
The study's results align with the Social Environmental Model (SEM) which highlights the role
of different levels of the environment in the involvement of youth individuals in sustainable
planning and management. The results also align with the empowerment approach which
suggests that empowerment is a technique through which persons or groups increase
improvement over their own lives and the ability to shape their own future. The results of the
paper emphasize the standing of policies and programs that specifically target youth
participation in sustainable planning and management, and that support youth individual's
involvement and empowerment in these initiatives.
In conclusion, the involvement of youth individuals in justifiable development and
management is crucial used for enlightening the overall life quality in their communities. To
effectively engage and empower young people in these efforts, it is essential to address the
barriers and challenges that prevent their participation, and to provide them with the
resources, skills, and opportunities they need to take an active role in shaping their
communities and the world around them. The study recommends future study on youth
involvement in viable planning and management, and on the development of a framework for
measuring the impact of youth participation in sustainable planning and management
initiatives.
3rd International Conference on Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh
Bangladesh Institute of Planners
Shipu, D. Ali, S. Engagement of youth Population in
Sustainable Planning and Management
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Sustainable Planning and Management
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Bangladesh Institute of Planners
