ABSTRACT

Since limited scientific research has been conducted on the evolution of urban planning approaches in post-socialist countries and cities following the onset of democratic transformations in 1989/90, this paper examines urban planning in Budapest, Hungary, through a specific lens: the forms of public participation embedded in development plans and the narratives underpinning their necessity. Our research reveals that public participation is increasingly integrated into urban planning; however, significant and widening disparities exist between Budapest's districts regarding the types of public participation employed. These disparities are shaped by planning traditions, geopolitical factors, broader sociocultural trends, and institutional frameworks – particularly Budapest's highly fragmented institutional system. These findings highlight the importance of contextualizing planning practices within their specific sociopolitical and institutional settings. At the same time, progress in public participation must be assessed against the backdrop of declining local autonomy in Hungary in recent years.