Conflict analysis in public engagement program of urban planning in Hong Kong

A case study describing the application of conflict analysis to a public engagement program of urban planning in Hong Kong is presented in this paper. The technique of conflict analysis is used to investigate the possible conflicts and alliance between interest groups in order to avoid opinion domination by those groups that generate the loudest noise in the process of urban planning. The case study shows that this application helps collect public opinions more accurately that can represent the public interest in the selection of the best development and design scheme for the territory, which would not be corrupted by the "dominating opinions". © 2009 ASCE.