Mitchell, RonaldVeltri, Brandi2012-10-262012-10-262012https://hdl.handle.net/1794/12359Public participation is assumed to benefit sustainable development. Actual effects of public participation, a requirement of some international agreements and funding programs, are not widely documented. I compare 16 local sustainable development programs, defined as those with economic, social, and/or environmental goals intended to not diminish economic, social, or environmental assets. Within participation, I distinguish between segments of the population, means, and timing. I also consider the roles of government and the number and type of goals of each program as alternative influences on sustainable development. Successful programs commonly have more segments of the population participating in ways that are more meaningful. Programs with social goals are typically more successful than those with only economic and/or environmental goals. This information can be used for planning sustainable development programs and updating requirements in funding guidelines to reduce investment risks and more consistently realize the benefits of sustainable development programs.en-USAll Rights Reserved.Case studiesFactorsLatin AmericaPublic participationSuccessSustainable developmentElectronic Thesis or Dissertation