Citizen Science In Spatial Planning, Fostering Democratic Engagement In The Post-Ideological Age .

Citizen science is the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research through a wide range of activities, from data collection and analysis, to co-production of knowledge and research design. As such, it is commendable for the empowerment of individuals from all walks of life to participate in the creation of scientific knowledge, regardless of their research capacities (Madison et al. 2019). Nonetheless, mere participation does not automatically ensure the production of knowledge, presenting an epistemological challenge within the realm of citizen science. This is even more pronounced in social and humanitarian sciences, and specifically in the domains of spatial planning and urban design. Is participation enough to foster knowledge production? Which kind of knowledge can we expect to generate from (enhanced) participatory planning processes? This paper explores the role of citizen science as an emerging tool for democratic engagement in spatial planning and urban design, with a focus on the Western Balkans. The region is recognizably facing some common challenges, such as limited democratic transparency, data scarcity, a disconnect between quadruple helix actors, i.e. government, CSO-s, and academia, and underdeveloped research infrastructure. Moreover, as we are transiting towards a post-ideological age, it becomes increasingly important to navigate complex, diverse societal needs and values in a rapidly evolving/connected global landscape, free from the constraints of rigid ideological frameworks. The study addresses this context, firstly through an overview of the current landscape of citizen science initiatives in the Western Balkan countries, identifying key projects and their (expected) impact. Subsequently, two case studies from Albania are examined in detail. The first involves participatory mapping initiatives in various cities, focusing on urban pollution, greenery, and noise levels. This case illustrates how citizen involvement in data collection can lead to more accurate and locally-relevant urban environmental assessments. The second case study explores ecosystem service assessments in a protected area, demonstrating how citizen science can contribute to sustainable environmental management and climateresilient strategies, not only through co-creation and participatory mapping, but through effective knowledge transfer. Beyond these case studies, the paper explores the role of citizen science in spatial decision-making in EU and WB, through a comparative lens, showcasing how co-design methodologies can be effectively integrated into adaptive planning processes. It examines the type of knowledge produced in participatory, co-design processes, emphasizing its unique, localized understanding compared to conventional scientific outputs. In this context, data-driven and community-driven strategies in spatial planning are contrasted, highlighting the advantages and potential controversies of each. Lastly, the paper addresses the quality and quantity of citizen-generated science necessary for effective planning instruments (Planillo, 2021). This involves balancing citizen contributions, ensuring effective validation, and integrating these contributions into broader planning frameworks. The focus is on maximizing the impact of citizen science for tangible benefits in urban planning, as exemplified by some case studies in European cities. The paper argues that citizen science is not merely a method for data collection but a transformative approach that can bridge the gap between scientific production and societal needs. This approach is particularly relevant in the Western Balkans, where traditional models of spatial planning and territorial governance face significant challenges and are ever-transiting.