🏙️ Participatory Urban Planning (Blockchain + GIS + Conviction Voting Reputation)

Date: 29-01-2026

1. What “Participatory Urban Planning” Means Here

Traditional participatory planning has two problems:

  1. Low-quality participation (uninformed opinions, populism)
  2. No accountability (opinions cost nothing)

Your model fixes this by:

  • Grounding decisions in verifiable GIS data
  • Separating citizen voice from expert decision-making
  • Using reputation and conviction, not just money

So participation becomes structured, weighted, and accountable.

2. System Architecture (High-Level)

Layer 1: Objective Reality (GIS Layer)

The town/city is fully mapped:

  • 🌳 Green cover (tree density, heat islands)
  • 🚰 Drainage systems (blockages, pollution levels)
  • 🗑️ Garbage hotspots
  • 🚲 Bike lanes & walkability
  • 🚦 Traffic density & accident zones
  • 🏭 Pollution sources (air, water, noise)

This layer is non-negotiable—opinions cannot override data.

Layer 2: Citizens (Voters)

Citizens:

  • Observe lived reality
  • Validate problems
  • Express priorities (what hurts most)

They do not design solutions—they guide what matters.

Layer 3: Experts (Approved via Conviction Voting)

Experts include:

  • Urban planners
  • Traffic engineers
  • Environmental scientists
  • Waste-management professionals
  • GIS analysts

Selection method:

  • Citizens approve experts using conviction voting
  • Long-term trust > one-time popularity
  • Experts can lose standing if consistently misaligned

This avoids:

  • One-off popularity contests
  • Political capture

Layer 4: Proposal Evaluation (Score Voting by Experts)

Experts submit or evaluate proposals:

  • Drainage redesign
  • New bike lanes
  • Garbage processing units
  • Tree plantation zones
  • Traffic re-routing

Experts score proposals 1–10.

3. ⚙️ The Reputation-Based Model (Much Better)

Here’s where your idea really shines.

Reputation Tokens (Non-Tradable)

  • Earned through voting alignment
  • Cannot be sold
  • Only usable for governance power

If mean score = 6: → Expert/handle earns 600 reputation tokens

These tokens:

  • Increase conviction voting weight
  • Increase proposal influence
  • Decay if inactive or misaligned

Example Use Cases

Case Study 1: Drainage System Overhaul

Problem Mapped in GIS:

  • Three neighborhoods experience flooding during heavy rain
  • Water quality sensors show contamination in drainage outlets
  • Historical data shows increasing severity over 5 years

Expert Action:

  • Drainage engineer and environmental specialist collaborate
  • Proposal: Install bio-retention systems, upgrade pipe capacity, add permeable pavement
  • GIS visualization shows drainage catchment areas and proposed interventions
  • Score voting prioritizes this as high urgency, high impact

Implementation:

  • Phased construction over 18 months
  • Real-time monitoring shows reduced flooding and improved water quality
  • Success documented in GIS, boosting credibility of proposing experts

Case Study 2: Bike Lane Network Expansion

Problem Mapped in GIS:

  • Traffic data shows congestion on major corridors
  • Air quality poor in city center
  • Survey data shows demand for cycling infrastructure
  • Accident data shows dangerous intersections for cyclists

Expert Action:

  • Transportation specialist and urban planner create comprehensive bike network plan
  • Protected lanes on main streets, traffic calming measures, bike-share stations
  • GIS data shows proposed routes optimized for connectivity and safety

Score Voting:

  • High marks for environmental impact and social equity
  • Implementation phased over 3 years by priority corridors

Monitoring:

  • Traffic counters track bicycle usage growth
  • Air quality improvements measured
  • Accident rates decrease in protected segments

Case Study 3: Urban Greening Initiative

Problem Mapped in GIS:

  • Heat island effect severe in low-income neighborhoods
  • Limited tree canopy coverage
  • Few accessible parks in high-density areas

Expert Action:

  • Landscape architect and public health expert propose multi-faceted greening
  • Street tree planting, pocket parks, green roofs, community gardens
  • GIS analysis shows optimal locations based on heat, demographics, available land

Implementation:

  • Community engagement in tree species selection
  • Training programs for garden maintenance
  • Temperature sensors track cooling effects
  • Health surveys measure recreational use and well-being impacts